By Samantha Carty, Momentum
On the back of our first phase of research, NatAlli recently had the opportunity to be spotlighted in Ireland in a demonstration of community collaboration and empowerment. Orla Casey, CEO of Momentum Educate + Innovate and representative for Roscommon LEADER Partnership highlighted the NatAlli project at a major convention of Ukrainian organisations in Dublin, Ireland.
The event, hosted with the support of Community Foundation Ireland, brought together leaders and representatives from 28 Ukrainian-led organisations spanning 15 counties across Ireland. This gathering provided a unique opportunity to connect and collaborate on projects designed to uplift and empower Ukrainian communities in Ireland.
A highlight of the convention was the endorsement of the NatAlli project by prominent Ukrainian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Mariana Betsa, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland, Gerasko Larysa. Ukrainian Action Ireland, the network body leading the gathering, also expressed its support for the initiative. The enthusiasm and backing from these distinguished representatives underline the vital role NatAlli plays in addressing the needs of Ukrainian women navigating life in a new country.
Our NatAlli project, funded under the Erasmus+ programme, is specifically tailored to assist Ukrainian women in mastering key skills essential for integration, career advancement, and personal empowerment. In 2024, we identified potential challenges and opportunities likely to affect the success of the mentoring programme and proposed recommendations for strategies best suited to mentoring the next generation of women entrepreneurs and innovators fully capable of influencing and contributing to the regeneration process of economies and societies during and after crises in Europe.
We are now developing a detailed mentoring programme specifically based on these findings that will be taught to guide and support women in their entrepreneurship, focusing on issues that each mentor needs to develop or improve. The support expressed by the 28 Ukrainian-led organisations at the convention in Ireland highlights the potential for widespread impact and collaboration. Among these connections and networks, we are already excited to implement our mentoring programme across partner countries in Ireland, Ukraine, The Netherlands and Germany.
