The Fund of the President of Ukraine and UGB (Ukrgasbank) have launched UGB Club: NextGen for talented young people
The first pilot meeting of UGB Club: NextGen, a new community for talented and motivated young people, took place at the Ukrainian House. The project is being implemented by UGB (Ukrgasbank) in partnership with the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports.
UGB Club: NextGen has been created to foster the development of the next generation of leaders. Its aim is to give young people access to expert knowledge, professional networking, practical advice, and a community that helps them better envision their future path in Ukraine.
The theme of the first meeting was “Architects of the Future: Global Leadership in the Face of Constant Challenges”. The special guest at the event was Yaroslav Hrytsak, a historian, publicist, and lecturer at the Ukrainian Catholic University. UGB Deputy Chairman of the Board Oleksandr Shcherbaha and UGB HR Director Yuliia Bielova also joined the discussion. The meeting was moderated by Yuriy Petrushenko, Director of the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports.
Yaroslav Hrytsak spoke with young people about the role of the current generation in Ukrainian history, the ‘formative age’ and the responsibility of the third generation of independence. In his words, it is this generation that must finally consolidate freedom and democratic change in Ukrainian society.
During the public discussion, Oleksandr Shcherbaha explored the ‘Impact Index’ and social mobility in Ukraine. Using his own example — from call centre operator to top bank manager — he demonstrated how one can build a career path, grow, and contribute to the country’s development in Ukraine.
Yuliia Bielova shared practical insights with participants on approaching a career as a strategic pathway. She introduced the concept of the “flying fish” — the ability to adapt across different environments and integrate diverse fields of knowledge.
Participants in the pilot meeting had the opportunity to engage with experts in an open discussion format, asking questions about professional development, leadership, career decisions and the role of young people in Ukraine’s future.
For the Fund of the President of Ukraine, participation in the project is part of its work to develop a community of talented young people. The Fund supports young Ukrainians in the fields of education, science and sport, creating opportunities for their professional growth, international engagement and self-fulfilment in Ukraine.
UGB Club: NextGen will serve as a platform for continuous dialogue, exchange of experiences, and forging connections between young people, experts, businesses, and institutions working on the development of human capital.
For reference
The Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports was established to develop and support talented young people and to preserve, restore, and unlock Ukraine’s human potential. The Fund’s main areas of activity include supporting the education of young people in Ukraine, participating in international scientific and practical seminars and conferences, attracting foreign professors to work in Ukrainian educational and scientific institutions, and rewarding young people for their achievements in education, science, and sport.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Fund has been developing programmes that strengthen Ukrainian education, science, and sport through international partnerships, engagement with the business sector, educational diplomacy, digital tools, and support for talented young people. Key areas of work include: awarding scholarships and distinctions from the President of Ukraine, Twinning, UK-UA dual degree programmes, developing a safe educational environment, programmes for management teams, UK-UA STEM PRO, and the UK-UA Visiting Professors Programme.
