EUCFI successfully delivers the third round of the Professional Integration HUB Program

The event marked the completion of all three Professional Integration HUB program rounds implemented between 2023 and 2025, initiated and generously supported by ERSTE Foundation and carried out under the leadership of the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI).

The conference opened with a keynote address by Ambassador Elisabeth Kornfeind, who highlighted the strength, dignity and resilience of Ukrainian women continuing their professional paths in Austria. She underlined the importance of initiatives such as the HUB in preserving Ukraine’s human capital and supporting long term recovery. Her participation was a strong sign of recognition for the program’s mission and for the contribution Ukrainian professionals bring to Austrian institutions.

Following the keynote, Olena Bekreniova and Olga Olefirova, сo-founders of EUCFI, welcomed the audience and reflected on the program’s evolution over three years. They emphasised the importance of professional integration, community support and the courageous choices each participant made when joining the HUB.

As part of the program review, Olena Bekreniova presented consolidated results of HUB 1.0 to HUB 3.0.
Over the three editions, the HUB received 609 applications and placed 43 Ukrainian professionals in 27 hosting institutions, including Austrian ministries, NGOs, cultural organisations and research institutions in Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Linz.

Core activities across the cycles included:

• three month internships, including nine placements in ministries

• thirty two weeks of German language learning

• study visits

• a wide range of professional development events

These efforts resulted in a remarkable 45% employment success rate (30% internship extensions and 15% new job offers after completion). The program has also built the 150+ member YOU!Community, created a valuable expert pool for Ukraine’s recovery, and further strengthened Austrian-Ukrainian professional ties.

The main part of the conference featured personal reflections from the participants of HUB 3.0, who shared their internship experiences, the challenges they overcame, and the skills they gained while working in Austria’s leading institutions and organizations.

One of the most impactful contributions of the day came from Elisabeth Burgis, Head of People & Culture at Österreich Werbung, who delivered a powerful and deeply personal speech about her own professional journey and the pivotal choice that shaped her career. Her reflection on following one’s calling resonated strongly with the participants and inspired them to continue building their paths with confidence.

EUCFI also expresses sincere appreciation to the hosting partners who shared their feedback during the conference, including Felicitas Metz and Falko LOHER (Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure), Ewa Niewiara (Caritas Austria), Bernd Stadlbauer (Austrian Energy Agency), Mag. Yvonne Reif, MSc (Vienna University of Economics and Business), as well as Gerhard Volz and Tatjana Német, MSc (OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation).

Their reflections highlighted the professionalism, dedication and adaptability of the Ukrainian fellows and demonstrated the real value they brought to their teams. It was also noted that at least three out of ten participants have already had their employment contracts extended, which reflects both the impact of the program and the strong demand for highly skilled Ukrainian professionals in Austria.

As the HUB 3.0 cycle comes to an end, EUCFI is preparing for a strategic transformation of the program. The next edition will be redesigned to better respond to the evolving needs of Ukrainian professionals in Austria and to reflect new labour market trends. This evolution reaffirms the commitment of ERSTE Foundation and EUCFI to supporting Ukrainian talent and strengthening Austrian Ukrainian cooperation.

The Professional Integration HUB is initiated and funded by ERSTE Foundation and implemented by the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI).

Explore the photo gallery from the event below:

Photos: Ganna Kasych

• Earlier, EUCFI and Younia hosted Re:Generation – Meeting with Ukrainian Youth in Vienna at WU Vienna, bringing together Ukrainian students and young professionals. The full event overview is available at the link.