TitansUA, a large-scale regional initiative providing comprehensive support to war veterans and their families, was launched in Kryvyi Rih. Its goal is to unite warriors who have endured the hardships of battle, survived severe injuries and amputations, and achieved significant success in their careers, sports, and creative pursuits without giving up. All 15 communities in the Kryvyi Rih district actively participated in the project. Ambassadors – veterans already working in various fields who can share their experiences – will assist in implementing TitansUA programs. The project was initiated by Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration.
To help veterans adapt and receive the necessary support, over a dozen partners – businesses, NGOs, and government agencies – are involved, all committed to assisting veterans on their path to recovery. This assistance includes physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as support with employment, retraining, entrepreneurship, and social integration. Since its inception, the project has attracted over a hundred participants, including military personnel, volunteers, psychologists, entrepreneurs, public figures, doctors, and educators.
Representatives of medical institutions explained where soldiers can recover from serious injuries. Experts from the Employment Service spoke about additional opportunities.
"This project focuses on peer-to-peer communication and support. Our ambassadors are individuals who have found the strength to reintegrate into civilian life and share their experiences. That's why our project serves as a guide for both female and male veterans on how to return back to civilian life," said Nadiia ZADOROZHNA, Deputy Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration.
Metinvest is also a partner of TitansUA. Kryvyi Rih enterprises are already implementing best practices for adapting and supporting employees after their return from the frontline.
Since 2023, Metinvest has been running a distance learning program called Heroes Among Us for its teams. Webinars on psychological support for returning veterans are conducted quaterly. Online training on 'Leadership During War' is provided to managers. During staff meetings, informational video lessons are shown for review and team discussion.
Additionally, the company is prepared to hire external veterans from the labor market to strengthen its workforce with new management experience, teamwork, and additional competencies. Metinvest Polytechnic University offers a simplified admission process for veterans who wish to change their professional speciality.
In partnership with the Kryvyi Rih administration and NGO "Kryvyi Rih Foundation for the Future", industrialists are implementing projects for veterans and their families. For example, the city is promoting the VETERANS FAMILY GAMES Kryvyi Rih sports competition, which brings together war veterans with their families and children. Recently, the city has launched a recreational swimming initiative for heroes. Veterans will be able to attend classes in city swimming pools free of charge.
With the support of Metinvest, the Free Waves program will be launched in three swimming pools of Kryvyi Rih sports schools in July. They plan to install special lifts for barrier-free access for veterans with amputations and invite coaches to provide sports rehabilitation for demobilized defenders.
"Such projects are very much needed. In my opinion, it would be ideal if every veteran who returned from the war had the opportunity to go to one veterans' center, which has everything under its roof to help former soldiers return to normal life as soon as possible. This center should provide all the necessary consultations and assistance in filling out all kinds of documents. If necessary, a person should be able to find a job or undergo retraining there. In other words, one center with all possible and available services so that the veteran does not have to run around the city," said Andrii, a serviceman who participated in the TitansUA presentation.
TitansUA plans to expand the public program to other regions of Ukraine.
