This summer, a group of remarkable young Ukrainians came together in London for an empowering two weeks. Svitlo’s Graduate Camp was more than a summer programme; it gave students whose education and opportunities have been deeply disrupted by the war a chance to find inspiration, build global connections and envision a brighter future.

These young people are the future of Ukraine, yet many face enormous uncertainty. Our latest survey showed that 64% of older Svitlo students (aged 14–18) worry about whether they will be able to access higher education or secure employment. Graduate Camp was designed to help address that uncertainty as part of the Svitlo Graduates programme.

About Svitlo Graduates

Svitlo Graduates is a free career ecosystem for Ukrainian youth aged 18–25. It supports young people from the question “Who do I want to be?” all the way to a successful first job, internship or international opportunity.

The programme closes the gap between what universities teach and what the labour market asks for. It offers free career guidance, practical skills, mentorship from working professionals and real-world experience with partner companies. Participants benefit from career talks, career sprints, real-world experiences, career English and a supportive community.

Every sprint, mentor and opportunity sits within a career track, and students choose which track to develop. Svitlo Graduates launched with three tracks (AI & Tech, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Governance & Diplomacy) and will expand to seven by 2027. Each track is tied to a key sector for Ukraine’s recovery.

Graduate Camp is a core part of this programme, bringing Svitlo students to London for two weeks of in-person career exploration.

Their Experiences

In this report, you can read about the students’ experiences in their own words. They visited global organisations including Bloomberg, LinkedIn and the EBRD, seeing first-hand how knowledge translates into professional practice. They met Svitlo volunteers from around the world in person. They explored London’s history and culture, and, most importantly, they spent time together, building friendships and a supportive community of peers who will continue to inspire one another long after the camp.

More Than a Camp

Svitlo Graduate Camp was about more than training or career development. It was about instilling confidence, building community and nurturing hope, and giving young people the tools and courage to imagine themselves as leaders, innovators and changemakers for Ukraine’s future.

The camp was made possible by the generosity of partners and stakeholders who believe in the power of education, opportunity and resilience. We invite you to donate to help us offer these life-changing experiences to more Svitlo students. Together, we can ensure that even in the most difficult times, the next generation has the skills, confidence and vision to shape a brighter future for Ukraine.