{{Short description|Ukrainian non-governmental organization}} {{Orphan|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox organization | type = Non-governmental organization | headquarters = Ukraine | logo = | founded = 2021 | founder = | website = [https://theimpactforce.org/ theimpactforce.org] }}
'''Impact Force''' is a Ukrainian non-governmental women-founded and led NGO, focused on social behaviour change. It was founded in 2021 by Nina Levchuk and Olga Diakova to ensure an inclusive and sustainable rebuilding of Ukraine.<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url = https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/why-the-social-economy-is-key-to-rebuilding-ukraine/ | title = Why the social economy is key to rebuilding Ukraine | last1 = Povoroznyk | first1 = Mykola | last2 = Diakova | first2 = Olga | last3 = Bonnici | first3 = Francois | date = 28 November 2022 | website = weforum | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref> It is a partner of UN Women and World Economic Forum.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-18 |title=Expert's Take: By supporting local women's organisations, we tap into a powerhouse of expertise that starts from the ground up |url=https://eca.unwomen.org/en/stories/experts-take/2023/08/experts-take-by-supporting-local-womens-organisations-we-tap-into-a-powerhouse-of-expertise-that-starts-from-the-ground-up |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=UN Women – Europe and Central Asia |language=en}}</ref>
The organization's vision is to see a prosperous Ukraine, progressing in the modern world, driven by its people and dedication to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Its mission is to promote positive social behaviour change and create economic opportunities that support Ukraine's sustainable and inclusive recovery.
== History == Impact Force was founded in 2021 by Nina Levchuk and Olga Diakova.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://marieclaire.ua/uk/obshhestvo/biznes-sestrinstvo-interv-yu-z-olgoyu-dyakovoyu-ta-ninoyu-levchuk-zasnovnitsyami-impact-force | title = Business Sisterhood: An interview with Olga Diakova and Nina Levchuk, founders of Impact Force | date = 17 June 2024 | website = Marie Claire – Women's Magazine – All about fashion, celebrities and beauty | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref>
In 2023, Impact Force participated in organizing the Kyiv Investment Forum: Brussels Platform, took part in the events of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, conducted research on the role of the social impact economy in Ukraine's path toward integration into the European Union (EU), and also studied the role of the digital economy in supporting the livelihoods of displaced Ukrainian women.<ref name=":0" />
Among Impact Force’s programs during 2023–2024 were the Impact Business accelerator, the online academy for women "Dream and Achieve", the "Innovators of Energy Efficiency in Ukraine" program, and the educational and wellness program "ReSTART Mindset" aimed at addressing the mental health crisis in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f417OEABk0k |title=Як запустити бізнес – освітня програма для переселенок: співзасновниця Impact Force Ніна Левчук |date=2023-06-11 |last=Телеканал ДІМ |access-date=2025-02-10 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":1"/> During 2023–2024, Impact Force launched several communities, such as the Impact Business community, a community for Ukrainian women entrepreneurs and displaced persons, and a community of energy innovators in Ukraine, providing hundreds of entrepreneurs with platforms for collaboration and mutual support.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.village.com.ua/village/business/news/346729-dlya-kompaniy-yaki-pratsyuyut-u-sferi-energoefektivnosti-stvorili-programu-dlya-rozvitku-biznesu | title = For companies working in the field of energy efficiency, a business development program has been created | date = 10 January 2024 | website = The Village Ukraine | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://kanaldim.tv/v-ukrayini-startuye-programa-restart-svidomosti-pro-mentalne-zdorovya-ta-mentorstvo-dlya-zhinok-rozpovila-spivzasnovnyczya-organizacziyi-impact-force-olga-dyakova/ | title = In Ukraine, the "ReStart Consciousness" program: On mental health and mentorship for women, as explained by Impact Force co-founder Olga Diakova | date = 13 February 2024 | website = Dim | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref>
In 2024, the organization held Impact Force Forum 2024. Impact Force participated in events at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, at the Women Leaders Summit 2024 in Warsaw, and at the “Vilna” forum organized by Forbes Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://forbes.ua/events/vilna | title = Vilna — Forbes.ua | date = 15 May 2024 | website = forbes.ua | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref>
=== Impact Business Accelerator Program 2023 === In January 2023, Impact Force initiated an accelerator program for Ukrainian entrepreneurs seeking to contribute to the recovery of the sectors most affected by the war through social impact initiatives.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.village.com.ua/village/business/news/335233-zapuskayut-biznes-akselerator-dlya-vidnovlennya-naybilsh-postrazhdalih-cherez-viynu-galuzey | title = Business Accelerator Launched for the Recovery of the Sectors Most Affected by the War | date = 18 January 2023 | website = The Village Ukraine | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref> Participants in Impact Business gained access to live lectures, workshops, research, mentors, and investors to help launch their projects. The first edition of Impact Business lasted nine months, involving 23 Ukrainian companies, two of which received €20,000 each for business development.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://ain.business/2023/12/06/impact-business/ | title = Two Ukrainian Businesses Received €20,000 Each for Development | last = Галка | first = Лілія | date = 6 December 2023 | website = AIN.Business | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://business.diia.gov.ua/cases/iniciativi/impact-business-tvoriti-zmini-moze-koznij |title = Impact Business: Anyone Can Create Change |website = business.diia.gov.ua |language = uk |access-date = 22 July 2024 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The program was implemented by Impact Force in partnership with SILab Ukraine and supported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Export Development, and the national Diia.Business project.
=== "Dream and Achieve" Online Academy 2023 === In 2023, Impact Force, together with UN Women and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, launched an educational program (online academy) for displaced Ukrainian women in Ukraine and Poland – "Dream and Achieve".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.village.com.ua/village/business/news/340395-dlya-ukrayinskih-pereselenok-v-ukrayini-ta-polschi-zapuskayut-novu-osvitnyu-programu-yak-podatis | title = New Educational Program Launched for Displaced Ukrainian Women in Ukraine and Poland: How to Apply | date = 22 June 2023 | website = The Village Ukraine | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://life.nv.ua/ukr/socium/oon-zhinki-zapuskayut-osvitnyu-programu-dlya-zhinok-pereselenok-v-ukrajini-ta-polshchi-novini-ukrajini-50329199.html | title = UN Women and Impact Force Launch an Educational Program for Displaced Women in Ukraine and Poland | website = life.nv.ua | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/mriy-ta-dosyagay-oon-zhinki-ta-impact-force-za-pidtrimki-mintsifri-zapuskayut-novu-osvitnyu-programu-dlya-zhinok | title = Dream and Achieve: UN Women and Impact Force, with Support from the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Launch a New Educational Program for Women | website = thedigital.gov.ua | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref> The project is focused on providing Ukrainian women with the necessary entrepreneurial and digital skills to improve their standard of living, economic self-sufficiency, and financial stability. The first cohort of "Dream and Achieve" took place in December 2023. Eighty displaced Ukrainian women gained the knowledge needed to start or relaunch an online business, as well as vouchers worth $1,000 for developing their own enterprise.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/mrii-ta-dosiahai-80-ukrainok-zdobuly-znannia-ta-otrymaly-1-000-dolariv-na-rozvytok-vlasnoi-spravy | title = Radware Captcha Page | website = www.kmu.gov.ua | language = en | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref>
=== "Innovators of Energy Efficiency in Ukraine" Program 2024 === In December 2023, Impact Force, supported by the project "Promotion of Energy Efficiency and Implementation of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive in Ukraine"—carried out by GIZ on behalf of the Government of Germany and co-financed by the Government of Switzerland—in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Export Development, the national Diia.Business project, and the State Agency for Energy Efficiency, launched a comprehensive accelerator program called "Innovators of Energy Efficiency in Ukraine".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://thedigital.gov.ua/news/zaproshuemo-innovatoriv-u-galuzi-energoefektivnosti-do-uchasti-v-mizhnarodniy-programi | title = Inviting Innovators in the Field of Energy Efficiency to Participate in an International Program | website = thedigital.gov.ua | language = uk | access-date = 22 July 2024 }}</ref>
=== "ReStart Mindset" Program 2024 === On 15 February 2024, the educational and wellness program "ReStart Mindset" was launched, aimed at developing and restoring the mental health of female veterans and their family members.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://kanaldim.tv/v-ukrayini-startuye-programa-restart-svidomosti-pro-mentalne-zdorovya-ta-mentorstvo-dlya-zhinok-rozpovila-spivzasnovnyczya-organizacziyi-impact-force-olga-dyakova/ | title = In Ukraine, the "ReStart Consciousness" program: On mental health and mentorship for women, as explained by Impact Force co-founder Olga Diakova | date = 13 February 2024 | website = Dim | language = uk | access-date = 23 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.village.com.ua/village/business/news/347327-dlya-ukrayinskih-zahisnits-stvorili-pershu-navchalno-ozdorovchu-programu-restart-svidomosti | title = The First Educational and Wellness Program for Stress Management and Career Development for Ukrainian Defenders Created | date = 30 January 2024 | website = The Village Ukraine | language = uk | access-date = 23 July 2024 }}</ref> The program consists of two main modules: the first focuses on mental health—including medical examinations, non-pharmacological techniques to improve sleep and emotional well-being, and mentoring support—while the second module is oriented toward career development, offering HR expert support, training in new professional skills, and the creation of a community for support and networking.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://thepage.ua/ua/news/u-lyutomu-startuye-programa-restart-svidomosti-dlya-zahisnic-ukrayini-video | title = The "ReStart Consciousness" Program for Ukrainian Defenders Launches in Kyiv in February 2024 | date = 31 January 2024 | website = The Page | language = uk | access-date = 23 July 2024 }}</ref> The program was implemented by Impact Force in partnership with UN Women.<ref name=":1" />
=== Impact Force Forum 2024 === On 21 May 2024, the Impact Force Forum 2024 took place in Kyiv, where Ukrainian and international experts discussed issues related to the war as well as opportunities for Ukraine's recovery and sustainable development.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://rubryka.com/2024/05/17/na-impact-force-forum-2024-predstavlyat-efektyvni-rishennya-dlya-zmitsnennya-tryvaloyi-stijkosti-ukrayiny/ | title = At Impact Force Forum 2024, Effective Solutions for Strengthening Ukraine's Long-Term Resilience Will Be Presented | last = Onischenko | first = Elena | date = 17 May 2024 | website = Rubryka | access-date = 23 July 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://chamber.ua/ua/events/impact-force-forum-2024-2/ | title = Impact Force Forum 2024 | website = American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine | language = en | access-date = 23 July 2024 }}</ref>
== References == <references />
Category:Women's rights organizations