Solutions from Ukraine: Cultural Project offers free education for military personnel and veterans

The Cultural Project provides free education for members of the military and veterans.

Rubryka shares information on how to participate and the reasons behind it.

What is the problem?

In Ukraine, the availability of high-quality humanitarian education is still quite limited despite its crucial role in promoting a more profound comprehension of historical events, self-awareness, and the development of critical thinking. This pertains not just to combatting hostile propaganda but also to fostering a democratic Ukrainian society.

What is the solution?

The Cultural Project provides humanitarian knowledge that helps people rethink history, understand themselves, and shape a future based on dignity, education, and freedom from hostile propaganda. On December 13, the organization announced the launch of a grant program that allows Ukrainian military personnel and veterans to receive free education and unlimited access to all Cultural Project programs and courses.

How does it work?

Learn, find support, and change

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The Cultural Project is an interactive website that offers educational resources on various humanitarian subjects. This organization has been developing courses and programs related to history, philosophy, psychology, literature, art, music, film, and other disciplines since 2009.

"We specialize in humanitarian knowledge and art, which we consider the core of quality education in the 21st century. They influence a person's worldview and develop critical, analytical, and creative thinking. This is fundamental knowledge that does not change over time – the only thing you can rely on in an era of rapid change, the dominance of information, and uncertainty. They allow you to find answers to the questions "how" and "why," creating meanings and guidelines for individual and collective changes," the founder of the Cultural Project, Nataliia Zhevaho, says.

The initiative's founder says that military personnel and veterans have studied at the Cultural Project courses before—upon request, they have free access to training. There have even been cases when military personnel have joined lectures from the trenches.

"We saw this request and decided to create a separate program for the military (last year, we had a similar program for educators). If our courses and the learning process itself can distract, fill free time with a different meaning, help adapt, find support and mental balance, our experts and we will be as happy as possible," Nataliia Zhevaho notes.

So, from now on, every Ukrainian defender can get free unlimited access to any courses and training formats of the Cultural Project.

To participate in the program, one must select 1 to 3 courses on the website and complete an application. Additionally, those interested in the training may apply multiple times without limitation.

Training is conducted in Ukrainian. Access to course packages is guaranteed for a year from the date of receiving the grant. After completing the course, a certificate of completion is issued. All video materials, including additional materials, presentations, and tests, will be stored in the student's personal account.

Why is this important for military personnel and veterans?

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"Understanding humanities can be a key tool in providing psychological support and rehabilitation for our military personnel. Each aspect of humanitarian knowledge serves a unique therapeutic purpose. Exploring art, such as painting, cinema, literature, and music, facilitates the expression of complex emotions, organizes personal experiences, and reduces internal tension. Learning about history and cultural traditions allows a deeper understanding of one's national identity and roots. It instills a sense of belonging to a community bound by a shared cultural code. Additionally, communication skills, critical thinking, and specialized soft skills can aid in maintaining social connections, improving decision-making abilities, and easing the transition back into society," Nataliia Zhevaho says.

A psychotherapist and military psychologist, Olena Nikolska, has confirmed this opinion. She notes that learning helps to find inner balance, new meanings, and confidence after traumatic experiences, reduce stress levels, and improve the psycho-emotional state. Mastering new knowledge activates the brain and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters – serotonin and dopamine, which improve mood and reduce anxiety levels.

"Studying the humanities helps people develop self-reflection – the ability to evaluate their actions, feelings, and experiences. This allows them to understand their emotional reactions better and find ways to self-regulate in difficult situations," the psychotherapist adds.

Available to everyone

All courses and lectures on the Cultural Project are designed to address any level of knowledge and depth of the topic. They correspond to today's current topics and demands and cover several humanitarian areas.

Online courses have a start date and take place according to the schedule specified in the program on the course page. They consist of webinars or video lectures/video lessons for self-study and seminar classes with an expert. Video courses involve self-study at a convenient time.

"Within 24 hours of the grant announcement, we have received 30 applications so far. These applications cover a wide range of areas, focusing on developing skills. Some include writing, communication, and courses in logic and psychology. Others focus on Ukrainian topics such as literature, art, history, architecture, and cinema. We have also received applications for philosophy, art, architecture, music, world literature, and anthropology," the Cultural Project shares.

In general, the organization advises choosing a course based on the specific request and your own hobbies. If there are any doubts, the initiative coordinator will communicate with each applicant, who, if necessary, will be able to help choose courses and their combinations.

For reference:

It should be noted that a new platform, "Education for Veterans," has been launched in Ukraine. The platform aims to support the reintegration of veterans into civilian life through training and retraining. The project was developed with the support of the Skills4Recovery program and funding from the German government.