Skills Future For Youth: Applications Open for a Free Accelerator Programme for Young People

You are studying at a college or vocational school, developing professional skills and already gaining practical experience in your field. But what comes next? Should you look for your first job or try to create something of your own? Starting your own project can seem challenging, especially when you do not yet have experience, a team or start-up capital.

The Skills Future For Youth Accelerator is a free programme by Platform for Social Change for young people aged 15–29 studying at colleges and vocational education institutions in the Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. We do not start with a ready-made business idea. We start with a real problem in your community — and together with your team, you develop a solution that creates social value while also having the potential for a viable commercial model.

Applications are open until 19 October 2026:
https://forms.gle/XCspBFFCNEj1jC8a8

What you need to know from the start

• You do not need a ready-made business idea. You do not need to have a registered business either. The programme starts with exploring community challenges, not pitching ready-made solutions.
• You work with what you know. Your future project must be related to your field of study — this is one of the programme’s key requirements.
• Your startup must address a community problem. Your team first identifies and explores a real problem and then develops a solution that combines social value with a commercial model.
• Participation is completely free of charge. The programme includes training, mentoring and ongoing support.

Who is the programme for?

You can apply if:

• you are 15–29 years old;
• you study at a college, technical college or vocational education institution — such as a vocational school or training centre — in the Khmelnytskyi or Ivano-Frankivsk region;
• you are ready to work as part of a team and complete assignments regularly;
• if you are under 18, you have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to participate and for your personal data to be processed. This is a simple form, and we will help you with it.

You do not need to have an idea when you apply. During the programme, your team will identify a community problem and work on a project that must be related to the participants’ field of study and fall within one of three areas:

Craft & Local Crafts — creating products and developing local crafts and brands using local materials, traditions and resources.

Agriculture & Food Solutions — solutions for rural areas, farming, agricultural processing and the production of local food products.

Green Technologies — solutions in sustainable development, clean technologies, the circular economy and renewable energy.

Priority will be given to young people from rural communities, those affected by the war, and those with limited access to career and entrepreneurial opportunities. At the same time, anyone who meets the age, education and regional eligibility criteria can apply.

How does the programme work?

The programme starts on 19 October. It consists of 6 modules, each lasting approximately two weeks. The main learning component takes place online and is designed so that participants can combine the programme with their studies:

• watch a short video of up to 30 minutes independently, whenever it is convenient for you;
• once every two weeks, join a 1.5-hour live online session with a trainer, focused on practical work on your own project rather than a traditional lecture;
• between sessions, complete team assignments with a two-week deadline.

The programme also includes in-person mentoring sessions in the Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Participants’ expenses related to attending in-person activities, including travel costs, are not covered by the programme.

What happens step by step?

1. Onboarding. You meet the programme team, join the Telegram chat and connect with a coordinator from your educational institution. You complete a simple Individual Development Plan: where you are now and where you want to go. At this stage, you are supported by your coordinator.

2. Module 1 — Problem & Team. You explore real community needs, learn how to talk to people and clearly define a problem. At this stage, you also form a team of 4–6 people.

3. Modules 2–5 — From Idea to Solution and Market. Together with your team, you work on a business model, talk to potential customers, develop your first prototype (MVP), and learn about finance and legal basics.

During the learning modules, teams will be supported by a coordinator and a mentor.

4. Module 6 — Final Presentation. Teams present their results at local online Showcase events. Based on these presentations, a jury selects 8–12 of the strongest teams to move on to the final Demo Day.

5. Demo Day. Selected teams present their projects to employers and partners at an in-person event in the Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. The exact location will be communicated separately to selected participants.

6. After the final — 90 days of support. The next step may be an internship, employment, a first sale, a pilot, or further development of the project through incubation. During this period, participants will receive support to help them take their next step.

What will you gain from the programme?

• experience of working as a team on a real project — something employers value;
• a project related to your field of study that addresses an identified community problem and combines social value with a commercial model;
• experience testing your solution with real people;
• a prototype of a product or service;
• basic financial calculations: how much the project costs and how it could generate revenue;
• experience of making your first market contact with a potential buyer, customer or employer;
• a 90-day action plan for your next step — and support to help you put it into practice.

Key dates

• Applications: 30 September – 19 October 2026.
• Programme starts: 19 October 2026.
• Local Showcase events: online.
• Demo Day: in person, at the end of the programme, in the Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Who is this programme not for?

The programme may not be right for you:

• if you cannot regularly attend sessions and complete team assignments on time — without this, it will be difficult for the whole team to move forward;
• if you are not ready to work as part of a team;
• if you are only looking for lectures and a “watch and forget” format;
• if you are not ready to explore real community challenges and work on an entrepreneurial solution that combines social value with a viable commercial model.

Apply

Complete a short application with a few questions about you, your studies and your motivation by 19 October 2026 inclusive:

https://forms.gle/XCspBFFCNEj1jC8a8

We provide the learning and support — you make the change!

The pilot programme is implemented by Platform for Social Change within the COOPOWER project, with the support of the Interreg Danube Region Programme.