Partnerships

The full-scale war in Ukraine has caused a deep socio-economic crisis, which has hit women particularly hard. Thousands of women have lost their jobs or businesses, become internally displaced, and taken on full responsibility for supporting their families. According to research, 80% of Ukrainian women report financial difficulties, 38% lack economic stability, and 29% do not feel confident in their professional development.

At the same time, the gender pay gap in Ukraine remains significant – over 18%. One of the main reasons for this is the low level of financial literacy and the lack of skills in independent budget planning.

For KredoBank JSC, which consistently develops corporate social responsibility through its corporate foundation – the KredoBank Foundation, this situation became both a challenge and an opportunity. The company realized that promoting financial education and women’s entrepreneurship is not only socially important but also a strategic element in building the economic resilience of society.

The issue has become not only social but also economic – without financial literacy, women lose opportunities for self-employment, entrepreneurship, and participation in the country’s economic recovery. 

That is why KredoBank JSC, in partnership with civil society organizations, educational institutions, and local communities, has supported and strengthened initiatives aimed at developing women’s financial confidence, expanding their economic opportunities, and creating an environment where partnership serves as a key driver for sustainable change.

In 2025, KredoBank JSC, in partnership with the KredoBank Foundation and Projector Foundation NGO, joined forces to create the innovative educational project “Count on Yourself: Financial Skills Course” – a modern training program for women aged 18 and over who seek financial independence, confidence, and the tools for effective personal resource management.

This form of collaboration serves as a model of effective partnership between business, the nonprofit sector, and education, aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment.

The program is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Rural Affairs of Ukraine and the State Employment Service, within the framework of the government initiative “Of Course You Can”, which aims to reduce the gender pay gap from 18.6% to 13.6% by 2030.

Such partnership brings together the efforts of the state, business, and civil society, creating a powerful national platform to support women’s economic opportunities. At the same time, the program has a clear local dimension – it is carried out in collaboration with local communities, employment centers, and educational hubs, ensuring the participation of women from different regions of Ukraine and having a tangible impact on the development of their financial capabilities.

The course was developed on the Projector Institute educational platform, providing a modern learning format – online lectures, practical assignments, mentoring sessions, and personal financial planning. Over the two-month program, participants receive 22 lectures, homework assignments, mentoring sessions, and develop their own financial system.

The key modules cover topics such as budgeting, understanding credit, risk management, saving, investing, financial psychology, and preparing for the future (pension, insurance, wills).

The course was created and is mentored by Oksana Zhelezko, a financial expert, consultant, and lecturer with many years of experience. She helps women understand how money works and gain confidence in their financial decisions.

“We are convinced that financial independence is not a luxury, but a necessity. The ‘Count on Yourself’ course helps women confidently manage their lives and careers while simultaneously strengthening the country’s economic resilience. This project became possible thanks to a strong partnership between business, the nonprofit sector, and the government – it is the combined effort that delivers real results. It is our investment in human potential and in a future where equal opportunities become the norm,” said Solomiya Hovorukha, Head of the KredoBank Foundation.

Organizational challenges – primarily the logistics of running the program during wartime – were addressed through the online format and collaboration with local communities, ensuring access for participants from different regions, including those near the frontlines.

The course provides access to up-to-date knowledge and practical skills, contributing to the enhancement of participants’ financial literacy and professional development. Its success has been made possible through close collaboration between business, the nonprofit sector, and government institutions, demonstrating the effectiveness of partnership in achieving tangible social and economic outcomes.

Although the course launched only in 2025, its results in less than a year are already significant:

• 16,082 participants registered for the course and gained online access to the learning materials;
• 100 women are taking part in an individual mentoring program;
• More than 300,000 people learned about the initiative through an information campaign.

Participants note that, thanks to the course – implemented through close partnership between business, the nonprofit sector, and government institutions – they have already begun to:

• manage their finances;
• start saving;
• launch their own initiatives or small business projects.

Even at the learning stage, this partnership creates an environment where women receive support, knowledge, and resources to put their financial and entrepreneurial skills into practice.

The project has become a practical tool for women’s economic empowerment – provided the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed for employment, starting a business, or stabilizing a personal budget.

Beyond its direct social impact, the initiative – implemented through close partnership between business, the nonprofit sector, and government institutions – has strengthened KredoBank JSC’s image as a bank that invests not only in financial products but also in people, education, and gender equality. This demonstrates the power of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable social change.

“Count on Yourself” is more than an educational course. It is a story of partnership, support, and belief in Ukrainian women, who, by gaining knowledge, restore their own stability while simultaneously strengthening the country’s economic resilience.

Through such activities, the company contributes to societal development by providing access to quality education, promoting gender equality, and creating opportunities for decent work and economic growth. At the same time, it helps reduce social inequality and demonstrates the effectiveness of partnerships between business, the nonprofit sector, and government institutions.

If this course had not been implemented, thousands of women would have remained without access to structured knowledge and practical tools for financial stability.

Today, however, they have not only the skills but also the confidence to rely on themselves – even in the most challenging circumstances.