🔔The Ukrainian Red Cross has launched the “Reboot: Expanding Employment Opportunities” programme in Odesa region
At the beginning of 2026, the Reboot team officially began work in Odesa and the surrounding region. More than 70 participants submitted applications and expressed interest in attending the first information session, where they were introduced to the programme stages, available courses, and conditions for receiving microgrants to develop their own businesses. Odesa has become the eleventh region with an offline programme centre.
“Odesa is currently hosting many people who were forced to leave their homes. Many have lost their jobs or businesses, and we want to support them, as well as local residents who are also facing difficulties. We explain the programme and how it works so that people know they can turn to us and receive real support,” said Yuliia Starostina, Project Coordinator.
The Reboot programme in the Odesa region offers:
- Training and retraining in in-demand professions
- Individual career guidance and counselling
- Psychosocial support
- Assistance with finding work or developing a small business
The team is actively promoting the programme and explaining how to take part. Plans include placing visual materials not only in Odesa’s public service centres but also in 91 community centres across the region, so that residents of even the most remote communities can take part. Partners providing training and retraining opportunities are also being engaged.
Support is also provided to groups beyond those traditionally considered vulnerable, such as internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, or single parents, but also to a much wider range of people, including:
- members of households caring for people with disabilities or older adults
- families with two or more minor children
- large families living in rural areas
- people approaching retirement age or already retired
- young people under 35 who are not working or studying
- those unemployed for twelve months or more
- former military personnel
- other groups who may need additional support
Available courses for training or retraining include:
- sales manager
- logistics manager
- interior designer
- production line operator
- florist
- cook
- groomer and more
Contact information for the Odesa regional branch of the Ukrainian Red Cross:
Tel.: +38 099 893 98 01
Odesa, 68 Kosmonavtiv Street
Email: pm.per.od@redcross.org.ua
Reboot is a nationwide initiative of the Ukrainian Red Cross that supports people in finding work and developing new skills. In the Odesa region, the programme is implemented with the support of the German Red Cross.
