SEW Ukraine (Supporting Economic Prosperity for Women and Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine) is a program led by the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada). This program supports women impacted by political instability and armed conflict through employment and entrepreneurship in the garment industry; the women in the program may have experienced displacement and/or gender-based violence due to the ongoing conflict. The SEW Ukraine project supports women by providing access to employment, vocational training, workplace integration training, and ancillary services such as shared childcare facilities.
SEW Ukraine supports women in overcoming barriers to employment by acquiring professional skills in tailoring; improving their skills as business owners and managers in the tailoring industry; establishing and providing grant support to co-operatives of tailoring enterprises owned and led by women, including preferential loans.
In addition, women’s leadership skills are enhanced through training co-operative members, which creates a positive image of women in the profession as positive role models while supporting the tailoring industry in developing gender-sensitive internal policies and practices.
The Credit Union Foundation of BC is proud to support CDF Canada and SEW Ukraine, connecting communities with the resources and networks they need and helping to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and global solidarity.
“Even in the darkest moments, this cooperative gives us hope. It’s a place where we rebuild, together.” Svitlana, Cooperative member, Ukraine
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by the Credit Union Foundation of BC with this gift to the SEW Ukraine Project. Phase One of the project demonstrated the transformative power of cooperatives helping cooperatives. More than 2,500 women received vocational training and support and thanks to the cooperative model, these women are able to create sustainable livelihoods amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. We look forward to scaling up this project, thanks in part to this gift from CUFBC, to continue building the capacity of these inspiring women as they build their MMS enterprises.”
Ben André, Executive Director, CDF Canada
