By Khrystyna Yermakova | Head of Educational Projects
Project Overview
During the final quarter of 2025, the Girl Power Ukraine initiative continued to create safe and empowering spaces where adolescent girls could learn, grow, and support one another during a time of ongoing uncertainty and social change. Between September and December 2025, the program reached 108 girls across four locations in Ukraine and Germany, providing a structured series of educational workshops focused on leadership, gender equality, financial literacy, reproductive health, digital safety, and career development. For many participants, these sessions became much more than educational activities — they offered a rare opportunity to openly discuss topics that are often overlooked in schools and families, build confidence, and connect with peers facing similar challenges. This quarter also marked an important milestone for the project: the first international expansion of Girl Power, bringing the program to Ukrainian refugee girls in Germany and strengthening our mission to support young women wherever their lives have taken them.
The Girl Power Ukraine initiative is a comprehensive educational and empowerment program designed to support adolescent girls by equipping them with critical life skills, leadership competencies, and knowledge necessary to navigate complex social realities and build confident, independent futures.
The project addresses a crucial gap in the formal education system: many important topics affecting girls’ development — including gender equality, reproductive health, financial literacy, psychological well-being, leadership, and protection from violence — are often insufficiently addressed in schools and rarely discussed openly within families.
Through a structured non-formal education curriculum, the project creates safe learning spaces where girls can explore sensitive topics, develop self-confidence, and connect with peers and mentors who inspire them to become active participants in their communities.
In addition to activities conducted in Ukraine, Girl Power expanded internationally for the first time, launching a new location in Germany to support Ukrainian refugee girls.
Geographic Implementation
During this reporting period, the program was implemented in four locations across two countries, reaching adolescent girls from diverse backgrounds.
Ukraine
• Vyshhorod, Kyiv region
• Zhytomyr
• Lebedyn, Sumy region
Germany
• Wuppertal (for Ukrainian refugee girls)
The international expansion represents a new chapter for the Girl Power initiative, extending its impact to girls who were forced to leave Ukraine due to war and are now rebuilding their lives abroad.
Implementation Period
The project was implemented between September 2025 and December 2025, depending on location.
- In Wuppertal, Germany, the program was conducted from 13 September to 29 November 2025 and reached 18 girls.
- In Vyshhorod, Kyiv region, the program ran from 1 November to 13 December 2025, with 30 girls participating.
- In Zhytomyr, the program took place from 8 November to 13 December 2025, reaching 30 girls.
- In Lebedyn, Sumy region, the program ran from November to December 2025 and included 30 girls.
In total, 108 girls participated in the program.
Key Partnerships
The successful implementation of the project was made possible through collaboration with strong local and international partners.
Ukraine
• NGO “Svitanok” (Vyshhorod)
• Youth Integration Center (Zhytomyr)
• NGO “Ukrainian Antiquity” (Lebedyn)
Germany
These partnerships allowed the program to adapt to local contexts while maintaining a unified educational methodology.
Program Structure
The Girl Power program consisted of weekly educational modules combining training sessions, workshops, group discussions, role-playing exercises, creative tasks, and practical simulations.
Each module addressed a key dimension of girls’ development.
Core thematic areas included:
Each training session lasted 3–4 hours, allowing sufficient time for both theoretical learning and interactive practice.
Across all locations, participants completed approximately:
Participant Profile
The program targeted girls aged 13–17, including those from vulnerable backgrounds.
Participants included:
• internally displaced girls
• girls from small communities with limited access to non-formal education
• girls from families affected by war
• Ukrainian refugee girls living in Germany
• girls experiencing social or economic vulnerability
Many participants had never previously attended workshops on topics such as gender-based violence, reproductive health, or financial literacy.
For many girls, this program represented their first opportunity to openly discuss these issues in a supportive and safe environment.
Key Program Modules and ActivitiesCommunication and Leadership Skills
The program began with sessions focused on communication, leadership, and self-expression.
Participants explored questions such as:
• What makes communication effective?
• How do misunderstandings occur?
• How can we express our opinions respectfully?
• What does leadership look like for young women?
Through creative exercises and group work, girls practiced communication techniques, analyzed real-life situations, and developed strategies for constructive dialogue.
Trainers noted the participants’ strong teamwork abilities and willingness to experiment with new ideas, even during the earliest sessions.
Gender Equality and Protection from Violence
One of the most impactful modules addressed gender equality and gender-based violence.
Girls learned:
• the legal foundations of women's rights
• how to identify different forms of violence
• what healthy relationships look like
• where to seek help if they or someone they know experiences abuse
Participants engaged in practical exercises to analyze real-life scenarios and identify forms of psychological, emotional, and physical violence.
Despite the complexity of the topic, girls showed high levels of engagement and curiosity, asking practical questions and actively participating in discussions.
Many participants shared that they had never previously received clear information on how to recognize and respond to abusive behavior.
Psychological Well-Being and Personal Boundaries
Adolescence is a critical stage in the formation of identity and self-esteem.
The psychological development modules focused on:
• personal boundaries
• emotional awareness
• assertiveness
• building self-confidence
Through role-playing and group reflection exercises, participants explored how to protect their personal space and communicate their needs effectively.
One exercise involved participants physically mapping their personal boundaries and discussing situations in which those boundaries might be challenged.
The safe and supportive atmosphere created by trainers enabled girls to share personal experiences openly, strengthening trust within the group.
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy proved to be one of the most engaging and practical parts of the program.
Participants learned:
• how money works in everyday life
• how to plan a personal budget
• how to distinguish between needs and wants
• how savings and investments function
The theoretical training was complemented by the interactive financial simulation game “My Budget.”
During the game, participants worked in teams to manage a three-month household budget while responding to unexpected financial events.
Girls demonstrated impressive strategic thinking and collaboration as they navigated financial decisions such as:
• managing expenses
• creating savings buffers
• seeking additional income sources
• prioritizing spending
The simulation helped transform abstract financial concepts into real-life decision-making experiences.
Reproductive Health and Sexual Education
A particularly important component of the program addressed reproductive health and sexuality education.
Girls received medically accurate and age-appropriate information on:
• the menstrual cycle
• reproductive health
• personal hygiene
• sexually transmitted infections
• bodily autonomy and consent
The sessions were designed as open dialogues rather than lectures, allowing participants to ask questions freely.
The trainers noted that the girls asked many thoughtful questions, highlighting the importance of creating safe environments where young people can access reliable information without embarrassment or fear.
Several participants expressed that this was the first time they had discussed these topics openly with a medical professional.
Media Literacy and Artificial Intelligence
In the digital literacy module, participants explored how modern technologies shape information environments.
Topics included:
• recognizing misinformation and manipulation
• verifying sources
• understanding artificial intelligence tools
• responsible use of technology
Girls practiced analyzing online content and experimented with AI tools to create creative outputs such as poems and songs.
Participants reported that they often rely on digital tools for learning and entertainment but appreciated the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills about digital information.
Civic Engagement and Micro-Activism
The project encouraged participants to see themselves as agents of change within their communities.
During the micro-activism workshop, girls discussed:
• what civic activism means
• how young people can influence change
• the importance of volunteering
Participants generated ideas to address challenges in their communities and developed solutions for several identified problems.
The exercise helped girls understand that meaningful change can begin with small actions.
Career Orientation
The final sessions focused on career exploration and future planning.
Participants reflected on:
• their personal strengths
• career opportunities in modern labor markets
• education pathways
• entrepreneurship and innovation
In practical exercises, girls worked in teams to design new product ideas, create marketing strategies, and present their concepts to the group.
These activities strengthened both creative thinking and presentation skills.
International Expansion: Supporting Ukrainian Refugee Girls in Germany
One of the most significant developments of the 2025 cycle was the first international implementation of Girl Power.
In Wuppertal, Germany, the project was adapted to support Ukrainian refugee girls who were forced to leave their homes due to the war.
The program was implemented in partnership with:
• Kommunales Integrationszentrum Wuppertal
• Kultur-Bildungszentrum "Fantasy" e.V.
The sessions provided not only education but also a sense of belonging and emotional support.
For many participants, the program became a place where they could reconnect with Ukrainian culture, speak their native language, and share their experiences with peers facing similar challenges.
Quantitative ResultsTotal participants
Geographic reach
Educational sessions delivered
Key thematic modules
8 thematic areas covering:
• leadership
• gender equality
• violence prevention
• financial literacy
• reproductive health
• psychological resilience
• digital literacy
• career orientation
Qualitative Impact
The Girl Power program achieved significant impact beyond measurable outputs.
Increased knowledge and awareness
Participants reported greater understanding of:
• their legal rights
• healthy relationships
• reproductive health
• financial planning
Improved confidence and self-expression
Many girls became noticeably more confident in:
• speaking publicly
• expressing opinions
• asking questions
• participating in discussions
Creation of peer support networks
Participants formed strong connections and friendships, creating supportive communities that continue beyond the project.
Strengthened resilience
In the context of war and displacement, the program offered girls a space of stability, learning, and emotional safety.
Voices from the Program
Trainers frequently noted the participants’ curiosity, openness, and motivation to learn.
One trainer shared:
"It was inspiring to see how actively the girls participated. They were not afraid to ask difficult questions and share their thoughts. Programs like this are essential because they give young women the knowledge and confidence they need to shape their own futures."
Another trainer reflected:
"Financial literacy became one of the most dynamic parts of the program. The girls quickly understood how important budgeting and planning are, and they approached the exercises with remarkable creativity and strategic thinking."
Challenges and Adaptation
Despite the program’s success, implementation in Ukraine required flexibility due to wartime conditions.
During some sessions in Vyshhorod:
• air raid alarms interrupted activities
• participants temporarily moved to shelters
• electricity outages affected presentations
However, these challenges did not reduce participants’ motivation. Trainers adapted by continuing discussions in shelters and using alternative teaching methods when electricity was unavailable.
These experiences demonstrated the resilience and determination of both participants and organizers.
Lessons Learned
The 2025 cycle highlighted several important lessons:
Looking Forward
The success of the 2025 implementation demonstrates the growing importance of programs that invest in the leadership and well-being of adolescent girls.
Future plans include:
• expanding the program to additional Ukrainian regions
• strengthening international partnerships
• developing advanced leadership and mentorship tracks for program graduates
• creating cross-border exchanges between participants in Ukraine and Europe
By continuing to invest in girls’ education, confidence, and leadership, the Girl Power initiative contributes to building a generation of young women who are prepared to lead, support their communities, and shape a more equitable future.
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