European Center for Freedom and Independence

The European Centre for Freedom and Independence

We strengthen the competencies of Ukrainian professionals by providing them with European experience and engaging them in the reconstruction of Ukraine and its integration into the EU.

Key areas of our activities

building democracy;
human rights and gender equality;
developing an effective society;
supporting rebuilding of Ukraine;
knowledge and experience exchange for professionals in various fields.

Professional Integration HUB

Professional Integration HUB is a long-term internship program for Ukrainians residing in Austria as a result of russia‘s aggression against Ukraine. The project is funded by the ERSTE Foundation and implemented by EUCFI since its launch in 2023. The goal of the project is to facilitate the professional advancement of Ukrainian specialists by integrating them into the European professional environment.

Youth Work with Displaced Ukrainian Youth

The project aims to address the challenges faced by young Ukrainians displaced by the а full-scale invasion from russia in 2022. The project is initiated by EUCFI, funded by Erasmus+ and implemented jointly with Wienxtra in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, Association of Youth Workers of Ukraine, Palanka Local Community, Stand with Ukraine Foundation (Poland), Echanges Lorraine Ukraine (France), PLAST - Austria and OMEGA Transkulturelles Zentrum Graz (Austria).

We focus on

European Experience for Professionals

Rebuilding of Ukraine

Our programs are designed for Ukrainian professionals with higher education and work experience, residing in Ukraine or elsewhere worldwide, aiming to advance their careers in specific fields while maintaining an active civic engagement.

We perceive it as the reconstruction of Ukraine based on the principles of democracy and transparency, while considering European values and Ukraine's commitments under the Association Agreement with the European Union.

Advisor and former long-term CEO and program manager of the Kyiv-based Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation (non-formal education for young professionals and reformers in Ukraine in 2010-2022), Associate Member of the World Academy of Arts and Science, Masters in Philology and Pedagogics, graduate of MIM Business School, Ukraine.

Expert on reforms in Ukraine, 20+ years of experience working with international organisations, head of the Young Generation will Change Ukraine Alumni NGO, Master of Law, Master of Business Administration, graduate of London School of Economics program on Public Policy Innovations.

Co-founder of the National Park Serra das Andorinhas on the Amazon frontier. Manager of organic farm in Upper Austria. 4 years of community work in Brasil until 2002. MA in Applied Anthropology for Community and Youth Work, London University.

Journalist, ex-chief editor of online media, 10 years of experience working in mass media, participant of the Young Generation will Change Ukraine Alumni NGO, Master of Publishing and Editing.

Olena Bekreniova

Co-Founder and Director

Olga Olefirova

Co-Founder and Deputy Director

Our Team

Nina Metternich-Sándor

Strategic Partnership

Valeriia Ilchenko

PR and Communications