Leaders Program
Since 2019, a 6-month fellowship enabling young leaders of social initiatives in Ukraine to focus on growing their projects, and rebuilding & transforming Ukraine.
21 leaders supported across 2 cohorts. Mentoring, expert network, offline events, and a monthly stipend of €500.
program started
leaders supported across 2 cohorts
cohort launching in 2026
monthly stipend per leader
Why is the Program needed?
See the big picture
War in Ukraine has been going on since February 2022. While the immediate response is now mostly covered, we need to focus on longer-term goals and impact — work on specific issues that enable democracy in the country.
Projects are underfunded
Especially those in early stages. Some initiatives provide tons of support to their community, but don't yet qualify for big-donor grants.
Leaders need guidance
Some leaders started volunteering without expertise, just because it had to be done. Many burn out due to overworking and being underfunded.
About the Program
Growing & scaling projects
- Regular mentoring to grow and scale social projects
- Educational resources and expert network
- Community of fellows — Ukrainian and international
- Monthly stipend of €500 to cover personal or project costs
What we aim to achieve
- 50 young leaders supported, developing leadership skills
- 50 projects become sustainable, scaled, and multiply their impact
- ✓21 leaders supported across 2 cohorts (2020 & 2024)
- ✓Alumni working at WHO, shortlisted for BBC book contest
- ✓Community of leaders and experts since 2019
Program structure
6 months of support
- ✓6 months of support — accelerate a project and take it to the next level
- ✓Monthly mentorship meetings and digital support
- ✓Access to educational resources
- ✓Access to network of fellows, Ukrainian and international experts
Monthly stipend of €500
Covers basic needs or project expenses, while motivating leaders to seek sustainable support long-term.
Methodology
- Logic Model — Theory of Change — from inputs through activities to outcomes and long-term impact
- Systems change theory — For systematic transformation
- Bildung — Foundational framework for lasting societal transformations
- NESTA standards — Evidence standards to track social impact
- SDGs — Integrative, global, evidence-based framework
- IDGs — Guiding framework for leadership potential development
- Agile methodology — Flexible, adaptable, learning from partners and participants
Who are the leaders?
Eligibility criteria
- ✓Ukrainian citizen
- ✓Based in Ukraine, implementing a project in Ukraine
- ✓Ready to take responsibility and act
- ✓18-28 years old
- ✓Not more than 5 years of experience in volunteer/management of social projects
Project sectors (SDG-aligned)
Projects must be functioning (not idea stage), able to be scaled nationwide, have a legal form (or readiness to register), and show both immediate results and long-term effect.
Selection process
Brief application
Team reviews for technical criteria
Full application
Presentation + budget — team reviews overall fit and quality
Interview
Team interviews semifinalists and considers leadership potential
Board voting
Board reviews and votes on candidates
Leader approved
Welcome to the program!
Program process
- Mentoring assessment call
- Mentoring call and support
- Stipend sent
- Leader sends narrative report
- Program team reports to donors
- Final narrative report
- Demo-day with leaders, team, partners & donors
- Program team reports to donors
- Alumni network access
Program History
Cherkasy Region Program
18 young leaders of social initiatives are going through the Program. They work on changing their community, region, and country for the better in education, psychological health, ecology, journalism, and youth activation.
The 18 Leaders & their projects
Mykola Maksyoma
Psychosocial support — emotional intelligence and psychological stability through art therapy and self-regulation
Oksana Kudina
International projects for youth — promotion of ECS and Erasmus+ programs
Liliya Tytarenko
Journalism program for youth aged 14-17
Alla Bogomolova
Sporty Kids Initiative — children's movement for sports potential
Lilia Naumeyko
Community interaction with homeless animals during the war
Diana Oliynyk
Strangers — communication skills and safe environment for young people
Victoria Horobets
Language sanatorium — popularization of Ukrainian
Daria Marchenko
EcoArt Hub — environmental awareness through art and nature
Darya Rubtsova
Platform for change — psychological stability of Smila residents
Elizaveta Svyridyuk
Innovative education
Ivan Masyuk
Savvy — loyalty service using gamification for businesses and public orgs
Daria Lukyanenko
Memory Hub — ensuring access to decent funeral services
Maksym Vanzha
Event department — helping young people develop skills
Oleksandra Smilyanets
English learning for farmers in rural Cherkasy region
Artem Antonevich
Campus Connect — cohesive student community through events
Tetyana Goncharova
Psychology and life — accessible mental health support
Oleksandr Rozanov
Protection of small rivers of Ukraine
Volodymyr Pivnenko
Alternative position — inclusive society through youth spaces
Leaders Fund Partnership
Together with Leaders Fund (est. by Future Development Agency), we supported 3 young leaders of social initiatives with 6-month mentorship and stipends of 10,000 UAH/month.
The Fellows & their projects
Olga Ilyukhina
Healthy food for kids — reducing non-communicable diseases and improving mental health (SDG 3.4)
Olena Shulha
Engineering Week — equal access to affordable technical and higher education (SDG 4.3)
Results
- ✓Scaled projects nationwide, won grants, grew teams
- ✓Launched social enterprise, gov & business partnerships
- ✓Alumni at WHO Ukraine, BBC book contest shortlist
Related Events
Frequently Asked Questions
The Program periodically holds open calls. It is open to Ukrainians who currently reside in Ukraine, with active social projects that have some traction. Leaders must be able to participate in a 6-months online program, including regular mentorship and frequent reporting.
Case by case scenario. US residents and residents of some European countries can receive tax deduction. Reach out to us at hello.sun.team@gmail.com.
Please see our presentation for sponsors: SUN LP Sponsorship Offer at bit.ly/SUNLP_SponsorshipOffer.
By funding SUN LP you can sponsor a total impact on 1 million lives within 6 sectors: healthcare, education, equality, entrepreneurship, urban development, and EU integration.
How you can help
Information campaign
Spread the word on social media and in media
Operations
Become a mentor for our leaders
Partnerships & Fundraising
Make an intro with a potential sponsor, business, foundation, or government official
Advising
Share your expertise on leadership for Ukraine's youth
Support the next generation of Ukrainian leaders
We are fundraising for leaders' stipends and administrative costs. Your contribution directly enables young leaders to focus on rebuilding Ukraine.
Why us?
We are Ukrainians
Abroad and inside the country
International background
Super-connectors who build bridges
Expertise
Project management, educational programs, international relations
We are leaders
We know how to help young leaders grow
Reliable
Track record of successfully completed projects