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The IT Ukraine Association, in partnership with the Charitable Foundation “Dity Heroiv” (Children of Heroes), is launching a new online educational project, Smart Teens Intensive, for teenagers. The project combines IT technology training with the development of soft skills, critical thinking, and teamwork, along with an introduction to the IT industry. Participants in the project are beneficiaries of the “Dity Heroiv” Charitable Foundation—children who have lost one or both parents as a result of the war.
Smart Teens Intensive is an opportunity for teenagers not only to acquire in-demand skills but also to find like-minded peers, realise their own ideas, and take the first step towards a successful career in IT.
The project’s goal is to provide teenagers with a safe and inclusive environment for acquiring basic digital and interdisciplinary skills in IT. This will help them gain real-world teamwork experience through the development of their own projects, thereby increasing their readiness for future education and career paths.
Experts and leading specialists from companies including Epam, Sigma Software University, and N-iX have joined the project. The training programme will run for 8 weeks in an online format and will combine:
The culmination of the course will be a Demo Day in December 2025, where participants will showcase the team digital projects they have developed.
Today, it is crucial for Ukraine not to lose teenagers with high potential—especially those whose families have suffered from the war. Smart Teens Intensive creates conditions where children can feel support from adults, find like-minded individuals, and take their first steps into the digital professions of the future
states Denys Hryniov, Vice President for Educational Issues and Head of EPAM University in Ukraine
During the programme, participants will:
Youth is our future. By investing in young people’s education today, we are building a resilient future for tomorrow. The Smart Teens Intensive project is the first step towards integrating children into a normal, professional, equitable, and happy life
adds Olha Levchenko, L&D Program Manager at Sigma Software University
The training model is based on a Project-Based Learning (PBL) approach: each team of 4–5 students will develop a digital product or an educational initiative that can benefit the community.
The programme includes psychological support, adherence to ethical principles in AI use, and the creation of an inclusive environment for all participants. The project team comprises experienced experts, IT mentors, and psychologists.
Investing in education is investing in the country’s recovery. For children who have lost loved ones due to the war, education is more than just knowledge. It’s a chance to regain faith in themselves, in their abilities, and in the future. We want every project participant to feel that their journey is just beginning, and that there are adults nearby who believe in them
said Yulia Lakomska, Senior Corporate Partnerships Manager at the “Dity Heroiv” (Children of Heroes) Charitable Foundation
For us at N-iX, it is extremely important to support initiatives that give children the opportunity to unleash their potential through education and technology. Smart Teens Intensive is not just a training programme, but a chance for teenagers to take their first step into the IT world, gain confidence in their own abilities, and feel that the future is in their hands. We believe that investing in the knowledge and development of young people today will shape a resilient and innovative Ukraine tomorrow
said Natalia Solina, CSR Lead at N-iX
