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Graduation Ceremony for the Right to Business Course in Odessa: A Fair and Inspiration for New Beginnings
June 11, 2026
A graduation ceremony was held in Odesa for the Right to Business training course, which is implemented in Odesa, Poltava, and Chernihiv. A total of 51 participants completed the course.
The graduation ceremony was combined with a lively fair, where participants showcased their businesses: guests sampled Mariupol-style chebureks, had their hair cut, enjoyed massages, and discovered other entrepreneurial ideas from the graduates. And to round things off, everyone was treated to a special gift from course participant Viktoriia Matvienko — an immersive theatre performance based on Ukrainian folk tales, with elements of a business game that everyone present took part in.
Alumni Success Stories
Behind every business venture lies not just a business idea, but a personal story — a journey of discovery, courage, learning, and belief in one’s own abilities. Course alums demonstrate that entrepreneurship can begin with a dream, a craft, a family tradition or a desire to serve the community. Their stories are about taking the first steps, overcoming challenges, and deciding to develop their own business even in difficult times. These examples show how knowledge, support, and perseverance help turn ideas into real businesses.
Vira Dranhoi
Vira Dranhoi works in the non-profit sector and is the deputy head of the Roma youth organisation, Kurs, which has relocated from Kherson to Odesa. She joined the Right to Business course with a dream: to open a grocery shop near her home in the village of Liubashivka in Odeska oblast.
Her idea is to set up a family business that will provide financial stability for her family and enable people in the village to buy groceries close to home. This is particularly important for those who don’t have a car or find it difficult to travel to the shops. Vira also plans to organise a delivery service.
At first, she had nothing but a dream. Still, through her studies, she gained practical knowledge: how to calculate costs, manage risks, develop a marketing strategyб and turn an idea into a realistic business plan.
Vira Dranhoi, a graduate of the Right to Business training course in Odesa
“For me, as a Romani woman, it is important to be part of economic development and to show that women can bring about change in their communities. I came to the course with a dream, but it was here that I realised how to turn it into a concrete plan of action. The training helped me see that business is not just about profit, but also about supporting my family, my community and the people around me. I want my example to inspire other Roma women to believe in themselves and not be afraid to start their own business. For me, it’s an opportunity to develop myself whilst contributing to the development of my community.”
Viktoria Shapovalova
Viktoria Shapovalova is an internally displaced person from Mariupol who now lives in Izmail. Her business idea is to set up the Captain children’s swimming centre for children aged between 7 months and 10 years. The centre is intended to be a place where children can learn to swim without fear or tears. For Viktoria, this is not just a business but also a social mission: there are many bodies of water in Izmail, so knowing how to swim is a matter of children’s safety. The centre also plans to have a playroom for children and a café for parents. Additionally, Viktoria wants to support displaced families and military families by offering them discounts. For two months, she travelled from Izmail to Odesa for training to gain the knowledge needed to launch the business from scratch.
Viktoria Shapovalova, a graduate of the Right to Business training course in Odesa
“For me, the Right to Business course was a huge boost, as I’m just starting and building my centre practically from scratch. These two months of training have given me not only knowledge, but also the confidence that, even in difficult times, you mustn’t give up on your dream. It was incredibly valuable to hear the trainers’ experiences and understand how other people got started, put their energy into their ventures and overcame difficulties. For me, this course has become a support system — a foundation that helps me not take a step back but move only forward. I want my centre to be a place of safety, care and love for children and their families.”
Oksana Kozhushko
Oksana Kozhushko from Kherson represents the family brand Maliovana, which she runs together with her daughter Nadiia. Her daughter creates the artwork, and Oksana transfers these children’s drawings onto silk scarves.
The idea came about after the full-scale invasion began, when the family was looking for a way to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The project has since grown into a business in its own right, which Oksana hopes to expand.
She enrolled in the Right to Business course to develop her brand, attract investment, and expand not only into the Ukrainian market but also into international markets. The brand’s core concept is to preserve a child’s view of the world and transform it into a unique work of art.
Oksana Kozhushko, a graduate of the Right to Business training course in Odesa
“For us, Maliovana is not just a brand, but a family story in which children’s creativity is transformed into true art. It is important to me to preserve a child’s innocent view of the world and translate it onto fabric so that every piece has its own emotion, mood and meaning. This project was born out of a desire to help, so our social mission and support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine remain very important to us. The Right to Business course helped me look at my business more broadly — as a brand that can scale up, attract investment and expand beyond Ukraine. I want our scarves to remind people that even in difficult times, life can be painted in bright colours”"
Stories like these show that running your own business can be not only a source of income, but also a space for self-fulfilment, supporting others and regaining confidence in one’s own abilities. And the Right to Business course has helped participants navigate this journey with greater confidence: from the initial idea to taking their first concrete steps in entrepreneurship.