Rebuilding lives through work four years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine

““My breakthrough was understanding that all my experience and knowledge could be valuable here, too.””

— Olena Oleksiienko, Entrepreneur and Founder of Lab-Consulting

Today marks four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which displaced millions of people. In this blog, we share the perspectives of Ukrainian professionals, who were among the many forced to leave their homes, alongside social entrepreneurs working to support them, on rebuilding careers in a new country.

For many, rebuilding life in another country has meant rebuilding through work.

Olena, a construction consultant and researcher who left Ukraine for Poland, shares that for her, despite initially feeling she was starting from scratch, she soon recognized the value of her experience:

“I understood that my knowledge and skills did not disappear with the life I left behind in Ukraine. On the contrary, they became the basis of a new stage,” she shares.

With support from Women's Entrepreneurship Foundation (WEF), a Polish organization that provides mentoring and practical job support to women navigating the labour market, Olena gained her first clients in Poland and went on to establish her own company.

Agata at the NESsT Poland Portfolio Gathering in 2025

Agata Zioło, Vice President of WEF, reflects on what she's learned from working alongside women facing displacement.

“Successful support relies on a holistic yet highly practical and targeted approach that respects and builds upon the immense experience and motivation of the women [we support].

The key to rebuilding is not just creating parallel support structures but integrating migrant women into the local business community.”