Roman Kudriavtsev is a project manager and a co-founder of the NGO Democracy.Youth.Development. He is in charge of increasing the level of education in rural areas including his hometown and reducing the out-flow of youth from his community. As the head of his organization, Roman's main objectives are to implement informal education, spread democratic values and to develop the youth policies in his community. Thus, he has introduced new ways to learn and designed projects such as Shift and Hurtom to be carried out in his town. As a result, his objectives have reduced the rates of the migration of young people from the community and increased the interested in informal learning among the youths. In additional to his project management work, Roman is also heavily involved in the work of the local youth center. Through the broad range of events at the center, Roman works to develop teenagers' awareness of the modern world. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Creating an Education Space in Tsarychanka

The project was aimed at minimizing the migration of young people from rural areas by creating an educational space. This migration of young people from rural areas is caused by three main push factors: a lack of job opportunities, a lack of choice in the available job options and limited opportunities for quality higher education. This educational space fully satisfies the demand for non-formal education and gives people the opportunity to learn new professions. The project includes four educational courses on information technology and four trainings on developing soft skills. The project resulted in a new type of employment that was not popular in Roman's town previously. It will help establish the creative industries sector that includes the sphere of information technology.

Because of this project, 100 community members learned and practiced their soft skills and tech skills needed to work in IT through courses and training. A survey taken at the end of the project showed that 93% of participants reported positive changes in employment as a result of their participation in the program. One successful participant, who after improving her English skills through the courses, secured an internship at an IT company.

 

"This course was very helpful. It refreshed my memories and made me go back to so many things I thought I would never remember." - Student

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Roman was a participant in the IVLP Project Sustainable Development for Rural Communities in the United States, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas.

Roman's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "We discussed challenges that both Ukrainian and American communities shared in common, and personally, I received valuable knowledge that I will use in my future projects."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Washington, DC; Des Moines, IA; Columbia, SC

Country: Ukraine

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