As part of the international #ErasmusDays 2024 celebrations, Momentum one of the NatAlli project partners based in Ireland, hosted an event centred around inclusion and belonging. This gathering offered a fantastic platform to highlight the incredible work of the Erasmus+ initiative and provide insights into the NatAlli project’s mission and objectives.
The event attracted a diverse audience, including several highly educated Ukrainian women who had shared their personal experiences during the initial strategic foresight stage of NatAlli’s research. These women had been part of a series of interviews aimed at understanding the challenges faced by displaced Ukrainian women and how they could be supported. It was a moving moment to hear their feedback on the research reports and learn about their experiences within the project.
One of the standout voices from the day was Inessa Kiriachok, a civil and commercial lawyer with over 15 years of experience, who had taken part in the interviews. Expressing her gratitude, she stated:
“I am really thankful for your research. It was hard work but your conclusions are absolutely right. I’ve carefully read all the reports. I can agree with every word in the Report “Challenges and Opportunities faced by Highly Educated Ukrainian Women in the Crisis”. You not only described the problems of Ukrainian women in new countries but also felt it, which is especially valuable for me. I recognised my feelings, uncertainty and doubts in the reports even if I didn’t say it. It means that mostly relocated Ukrainian women have the same problems abroad. I know that I am not alone. After reading the report “Vision of a Mentoring Programme for Highly Educated Ukrainian Women. Scenario Planning” I think it is a great idea and sounds fantastic. I am glad that you understand enough clearly that highly educated Ukrainian women have big potential to become leaders and entrepreneurs, they only need some help and support.”
Inessa is enthusiastic about continuing her involvement with NatAlli through its mentoring programme, which is designed to empower highly educated Ukrainian women. She added, “I am sure that this program can help Ukrainian women find a place under the sun in new countries and fulfil their dreams. I would be more than happy and it would be an honour for me to take part in your mentoring programme as a learner. You can count on me.”
The event was a success, offering a chance to build connections and share stories of resilience and hope. Samantha Carty, Momentum’s project manager for NatAlli, reflected on the event’s impact, saying: “It was fantastic to meet these women face to face after hearing their personal stories and including them in our research. I’m excited for the next stage, where we’ll develop the mentoring programme based on the research insights.”
What Are #ErasmusDays?
#ErasmusDays are an international six-day celebration of the Erasmus+ programme. During these days, people throughout the world come together and either organise or participate in events that celebrate the projects and opportunities proposed by Erasmus+. For students, teachers, trainers, professionals and more generally, all citizens, the #ErasmusDays represent a unique moment to promote the multitude of benefits that result from the programme.
The 2024 edition, marking the 8th year of the event, was held from October 14th to 19th across Europe. It was a chance to shine a spotlight on the many projects that have changed lives through Erasmus+, including NatAlli’s work in supporting displaced professionals.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can download the full research reports from the NatAlli project here: Research – Natalli Project
