Swisscontact Ukraine: Support That Inspires Even During War
“The most challenging aspect is the unpredictability. For instance, during air raids, we have to pause project activities and move to shelters. This disrupts negotiations, planning, and training processes. On top of that, I constantly worry about my family back in the Mykolaiv region. The stress is ongoing, though you eventually learn to live with it.”
This is how Anna Arnaut, a Private Sector Engagement Expert for the EdUP project, describes her work at Swisscontact Ukraine. Anna joined the team over a year ago and hails from southeastern Ukraine, a region that remains under constant enemy fire.
Providing Stability Amid Uncertainty
Since October 2024, Swisscontact Ukraine has been offering housing assistance to Anna and four other team members. Two of them are internally displaced persons, while three come from regions near the frontline. This support allows employees to focus on their work and adapt to new living conditions.
“Before this, I spent a significant portion of my salary on rent and utilities. In today’s unstable economic climate, this assistance has been incredibly important to me, both financially and emotionally,” Anna shares.
This initiative enables the team to continue working effectively, making a meaningful contribution to the development of vocational education in Ukraine.
“It’s incredibly motivating. I feel grateful and inspired to work even harder to give back to the company for its care. The support stabilizes my life, instills confidence in tomorrow, and energizes me to achieve new goals,” Anna adds.
Supporting a Colleague in Need
Another example of mutual support and team solidarity was demonstrated by the Swisscontact Ukraine team during the challenging circumstances faced by by Tetiana Artushevska, a methodology expert for the EdUP project.
After debris from a drone damaged the roof of Tetiana’s building, a hot water pipe burst, causing severe flooding in her top-floor apartment. Personal belongings, furniture, and household appliances were damaged, leaving her home uninhabitable. For 7 weeks, there was no electricity. This situation was a significant challenge, but Tetiana did not face it alone.
Her colleagues at Swisscontact Ukraine organized a fundraiser to help Tetiana and her two daughters deal with the aftermath of the disaster. Thanks to their support, she was able to begin repair, ensuring a return to a livable environment.
“I am very thankful to my colleagues at Swisscontact Ukraine for their support during such a difficult time. Their kindness and help made it possible for me to start repairs and bring comfort back to my family. This experience showed me how strong and caring our team is,” – Tetiana Artushevska.
A Safe and Supportive Work Environment
Swisscontact Ukraine has also implemented several initiatives to create a safe and stable working environment for its team.
Comfortable Office with Shelter Access
The Swisscontact office in the city center is equipped with a stable electricity supply, ensuring uninterrupted work even during outages. The office location was chosen with convenience in mind, making it easily accessible for all employees.
The building also features a well-equipped shelter where the team can stay safe during air raids, providing a sense of security even in the most unpredictable circumstances.
Flexible Work Arrangements
Acknowledging the challenging living and working conditions, Swisscontact offers employees flexibility in their schedules. If there are nighttime attacks or air raid alerts, team members can opt for an additional day of remote work. Additionally, anyone can take a day off if needed to manage personal matters.
Motivation to Move Forward
These initiatives not only ensure the physical and emotional well-being of employees but also serve as a source of inspiration.
Swisscontact Ukraine’s care motivates the team to work more effectively, knowing their efforts are genuinely valued. By prioritizing employee support during the toughest times, the organization exemplifies how fostering a resilient team can lead to achieving ambitious goals, even in the most challenging circumstances.
