About the Program
The Next Visionaries Program equips young people with the knowledge and skills to drive European integration, sustainable development, and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. The project was initiated by the ERSTE Foundation in 2024 as a response to the needs of Ukraine's integration into Europe and the changes affecting Ukraine's geopolitical landscape. Join a community of change-makers and visionaries!
10 months /// 45+ lectures /// 15+ international lecturers /// a study tour to Vienna /// development of projects to enhance personal CV and career /// opportunity for further internships in partner organizations
REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
Age: 21–27 years old /// Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher /// English Proficiency: B2 level or higher /// Career Focus: dedicated to European integration and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine
Project insights from our team
“During the program, you will gain the skills and frameworks necessary to overcome obstacles, advance your vision, and make a meaningful impact. Centered around three content pillars, this program is uniquely designed to develop the capacities of the next generation of leaders. ERSTE Foundation is proud to contribute to building a community of individuals committed to fostering positive change in Ukraine.”
Dr. Yana Barinova, a publicist and Project Manager of European Policies and Ukraine at ERSTE Foundation.
“Sometimes, it seems wrong to think about the future during the war. Yet paradoxically, this is exactly the time to think about the future, imagine it, construct it, and work on it. Ukraine today is a place of immense suffering and courage, but it is also a place of thinking. Sometimes, it is in the darkness that you see things with remarkable clarity.”
Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher, writer, analytics director at Internews Ukraine, Editor-in-Chief at UkraineWorld, lecturer at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and president of PEN Ukraine.
“We all need visionaries, people with broad horizons and open-minded people. People who are rooted in Ukrainian identity but open to global trends and opportunities.”
Andriy Kulakov, Program Director of NGO Internews Ukraine.
“The greatest wealth of the country is its people. Investing in human capital today is an effective strategy for the economic recovery and future development of Ukraine.”
Oleksandra Demianenko, Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor, Manager of the Next Visionaries Program.
“We aim to bring together young people around the belief that they can change the future. We will establish a productive environment that enables them to be ahead of their time in accomplishing this mission.”
Yuliia Babko, Project Manager Next Visionaries Program.
“In Ukraine, there's a growing necessity to transition from mere geopolitical aspirations of being 'a country with a European future' to a nuanced comprehension of the European Union. This course is dedicated to addressing this challenge.”
Roman Kobets, Candidate of Philosophy, Advisor to the Head of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC).
“The uniqueness of our program lies in recognizing the distinction, interconnectedness, and essential need for nurturing both individual leaders and the ongoing evolution of leadership development itself.”
Nataliia Kryvda, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Head of the Supervisory Board of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.
The Uniqueness of the program
Certification
After successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate (180 hours, 6 ECTS credits).
Community
You will meet leading Ukrainian and international experts, including diplomats, scholars, economists, civil society leaders, and entrepreneurs, and become part of a strong community of change-makers.
Practicality
With mentors' support, you will develop projects that contribute to European integration and Ukraine‘s development.
Next Visionaries will help you
DEEPEN KNOWLEDGE OF VALUES AND LEADERSHIP (Module I)
You will explore the values, trends, challenges that modern leaders face as well as learn about tools for effective leadership. You will also create a personal development strategy essential for successful career and professional growth and learn about modern leadership practices.
PERFECT YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND PUBLIC POLICY (Module II)
You will analyze the structure and activities of key EU institutions and internal European processes. This will help you to get a better understanding of the principles of policy formation at the national and European levels, including the EU’s enlargement and the accession of new member countries.
UNDERSTAND HOW INNOVATIONS DRIVE CHANGES (Module III)
You will learn about global governance, current geoeconomic and geopolitical trends, digitalization, artificial intelligence in the government sector, innovative financial technologies, and more.
Program duration
The program runs from September 2024 to June 2025 (10 months), featuring 8 lectures per month, and includes online learning, two offline events in Ukraine, a study tour to Vienna, and group work on final projects.
Terms of participation
Applications for participation are accepted until August 2, 2024.
Candidates are required to fill out the online registration form.
The selection process includes short interviews with shortlisted candidates and will be completed by September 1, 2024.
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What language is used for teaching? The course uses Ukrainian and English.
How long does the course take? There are 8 classes each month, each lasting 1.5 hours. The course runs from September 2024 to June 2025.
What is the format of the course? 80% of the meetings are online, and 20% are offline.
Who are the lecturers? Natalia Kryvda and Roman Kobets are the program curators responsible for 50% of the learning. The remaining sessions feature lectures and workshops by over 15 guest speakers from Ukraine, the EU, and the USA.
How many participants will the program have? The course will have 30 participants.
Is the program free? Yes, the entire program is free. The organizers also cover all event expenses, including accommodation, travel, and meals.
How will the selection process be conducted, and what are the criteria for taking part?
The program has a competitive selection process that starts with reviewing applications and is followed by short interviews with selected participants. The final results will be emailed to participants no later than September 1, 2024.
The committee will assess candidates' education, English language proficiency, and professional/volunteer experience. Motivation, expectations from the program, and the candidates' potential to contributing towards development and integration efforts in Ukraine are also important.
Who is funding the project? The project is initiated and funded by the ERSTE Foundation (Austria). The implementing partner in Ukraine is the NGO Internews Ukraine. It is supported by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine.