“Every treat I make blends traditional recipes with my own creative experiments” — Nataliia Podrez, a participant in the Ukrainian Red Cross Reboot programme

‌When the full-scale war began, Nataliia was forced to leave her native Kherson region and relocate to Vinnytsia with her two children. The loss of a job made her look for new ways to earn money. One day, inspired by a photo of blue cheese sweets she came across on the Internet, Nataliia decided to try her hand at crafting similar confections.

She began to study technology in depth, experimenting with ingredients, recipes, and techniques. Later, she took part in a contest, winning which opened the door to professional training with renowned confectioners. There, she mastered the use of different types of chocolate, learned to create unique fillings, and discovered the intricacies of decorative techniques.

‌After completing her studies, Nataliia attended business planning and grant writing training organised by the Ukrainian Red Cross. There, she learned about the micro-grant support available through the “Reboot: Expanding Employment Opportunities” programme, implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross with the support of the Spanish Red Cross. Nataliia applied for and successfully received a grant.
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The funding enabled her to purchase essential equipment for storing both raw materials and finished products. Today, Nataliia sells her sweets on a crafts platform, takes part in exhibitions, and continues to spread a little “sweet magic” across Ukraine.