In today’s world full of challenges, providing support and creating new opportunities for those who need it most is not merely an act of goodwill — it is the foundation for building a strong and resilient society. The Erasmus+ INSPIRE project — “Innovative Support for Fostering Refugee Entrepreneurship in Tourism”. This international initiative aims to broaden horizons for refugees by equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to launch their own successful businesses in the tourism sector.
On June 4, Khmelnytskyi National University hosted the second workshop under the Inspire project. This was more than just an exchange of information — it became a space for interaction, inspiration, and collective exploration of ways to achieve meaningful goals.
The workshop opened with welcoming remarks by Yevhen Rudnichenko, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Administration, and Tourism. He introduced the participants to the goals of the INSPIRE project INSPIRE, emphasizing its core mission: empowering refugees through education in entrepreneurial skills is crucial for launching and managing tourism enterprises..
The Rector of Khmelnytskyi National University, Serhii Matiukh, highlighted the urgent need for initiatives like Inspire and the importance of sustained support for internally displaced persons (IDPs). His message resonated with the guest Olena Chepeliuk Rector of Kherson National Technical University, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to Khmelnytskyi National University for their warm hospitality and shared her impressions of the region.
Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical work at KhNU, stressed the importance of international cooperation. She noted that the Inspire project connects not only Khmelnytskyi National University but also a broad network of higher education institutions and organisations from across the globe. Among them are: Technological University of the Shannon (Ireland), University of Applied Sciences (Croatia), Dokuz Eylül University (Turkey), PXL University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), the NGO Businet VZW (Belgium), and the Ukrainian NGO “Zakhyst – Volunteer Union.” This synergy among international partners is a key factor in the project’s success and impact.
Even from afar, Professor Anthony Johnston from the Technological University of the Shannon contributed to the event by joining virtually. He welcomed all Ukrainian participants and expressed hope that the project’s outputs would be implemented both in the Khmelnytskyi region and throughout Ukraine. Professor Johnston previously organised an Inspire webinar, which can be viewed here.
The core part of the workshop featured a presentation of the Inspire project. The official project website was showcased as a central platform for those interested in joining or learning more.
Ihor Nestoryshen, Associate Professor of the Department of Tourism and Hotel & Restaurant Business, drew attention to real-life business cases and compelling stories of individuals who, despite being forced to leave their homes, successfully established their own enterprises. These stories are not merely examples of success — they stand as powerful evidence of the human spirit’s resilience, capacity for adaptation, and drive for self-realisation, even in the face of adversity. They serve as a source of motivation for all those exploring entrepreneurship.
До слова була запрошена Катерина Луцик – голова громадської організації «Захист – об’єднання волонтерів». У своєму виступі вона наголосила, що підтримка є життєво необхідною як для внутрішньо переміщених осіб, так і для ветеранів, які повертаються до мирного життя та потребують нових можливостей для інтеграції, розвитку й реалізації.
To actively engage participants, the workshop included a Kahoot quiz, allowing attendees to test their knowledge of the project. The winner received a souvenir featuring the INSPIRE logo — a symbol of shared purpose and inspiration.
The closing remarks were delivered by Ihor Zhurba, Head of the Department of Tourism and Hotel & Restaurant Business and a key organizer of Inspire-related events. He expressed hope for further use of the project’s platform and shared new ideas for future initiatives.
Khmelnytskyi National University extends its sincere gratitude to all Inspire project participants for their dedicated and inspiring efforts. This project is not only about business training and development — it is about forging strong connections, fostering mutual support, and nurturing the belief that everyone can find their place in the sun. We look forward to future achievements and continued fruitful cooperation with our international partners.