A school bus is more than just transport. For children who travel many kilometers to school every day, it becomes part of their learning environment. That is why “Stryi Auto” launched a project to modernize school bus seats within the “Career Start” program, implemented by the Ukrainian Youth Foundation.

The “Stryi Auto” project is a clear example of how grants can not only support businesses, but also create jobs and improve social conditions for communities, strengthening the economy in the long run. Thanks to the grant, six young specialists received the opportunity to get employed.

“This project is not just about seats – it’s about the quality of transporting children. A bus must be safe, and the ride should be comfortable. That’s why we treated this project with great responsibility, knowing that these buses transport hundreds of schoolchildren every day. The team worked to ensure the seats meet modern safety standards, are durable, ergonomic, and comfortable for children”, – says Anna Shevtsiv, Head of the company.

What is “Stryi Auto”?

“Stryi Auto” LLC with additional liability, located in Lviv region, became one of the winners of the “Career Start” grant program, receiving 350,520 UAH for the “School Bus” seat modernization project. The company specializes in the production and modernization of public transport and also provides technical maintenance for the region’s vehicle fleet.

During wartime, when infrastructure is being destroyed, businesses face instability, and the labor market is in crisis, it is important not only to preserve existing jobs but also to create new opportunities for young people.

“We have always aimed to improve the quality of public transport, and this grant allowed us to do even more for our children,” says company head Anna Shevtsiv. “And when an idea also gives young people a career start, it becomes even more meaningful. In our region, finding a job has always been difficult, especially in manufacturing. Many young people leave in search of better opportunities – to big cities or abroad. After February 24, this problem became even more acute: businesses are forced to cut costs, and young specialists without experience are often the first to lose their jobs.”

Grant Program: Investing in Youth and the Local Economy

The seat modernization project became part of a broader initiative to support small businesses that create opportunities for young people. The “Career Start” program, implemented by the Ukrainian Youth Foundation in partnership with UNICEF and the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation across six regions of Ukraine, aims to expand professional development opportunities for young people through entrepreneurship and employment. (link to press release)

Key Facts about the “Career Start” Program:

• 7 youth projects supported
• 33 young people employed
• Total grant budget: 1.5 million UAH
• Regions covered: Zakarpattia, Lviv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kyiv regions
• The total grant budget of 1.5 million UAH was provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German state development bank KfW

Context: Why Youth Employment Is Critical

According to UNDP data, young people in Ukraine face serious challenges: 36% report a significant decrease in income, 21% experience difficulties finding a job, and large-scale youth emigration poses a threat to Ukraine’s economic recovery.

“The war has taken away stability and opportunities from young people. That is why supporting local businesses that create jobs is key to regional economic resilience. The Ukrainian Youth Foundation team works every day on three clear goals: strengthening the economic independence of young people through creating new and additional jobs, increasing youth competencies through non-formal education, and engaging young people in volunteering for victory and post-war recovery. We believe this creates real change here and now”, – says Vitalii Kryzhanivskyi, Head of the Grant Programs Department of the Ukrainian Youth Foundation.

At “Stryi Auto,” they emphasize that the grant not only helped upgrade the buses, but also created valuable opportunities for young specialists.

“This was my first serious job,” says Andrii, a vocational school graduate. “I worked with equipment, manufactured parts, and learned technical details of production. Before, I lacked confidence, but now I know I can work in this field.”

What’s Next?

The upgraded school bus seats have already been installed, and the young specialists involved in the project now have real hands-on experience in manufacturing. This is not just about modernizing transport – it’s about involving young people in the real economy of the country.

“This support helped us not only complete the modernization but also train young people and give them their first experience in this field. And most importantly, we see that they stay and continue working here, in their home region”, – summarizes Anna Shevtsiv, Head of “Stryi Auto.”