Professional Integration HUB enters a new chapter: Applications open for an entrepreneurship program for Ukrainian women in Austria
Applications are open from July 10 to August 16, 2026.
7/9/20264 min read
Today, many Ukrainian women who arrived in Austria following russia's full-scale invasion have already adapted to life in a new country, gained professional experience, established valuable networks and are ready to take the next step.
However, starting a business in a new country means navigating an entirely new system. Legal requirements, taxation, funding opportunities, market dynamics and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem can present significant challenges, even for experienced entrepreneurs.
This is precisely why Professional Integration HUB 4.0 – Entrepreneurship was created. The program helps participants transform an idea into a structured business or social project concept, understand how entrepreneurship works in Austria and acquire the practical knowledge, tools and connections needed to move towards implementation.
This growing demand has shaped the next chapter of the HUB.
"Although I had already built three businesses in Ukraine, taking this step in Austria feels much more challenging. What worries me most is the unknown — different regulations, a different system and a different market. That is why I decided to apply for the program: to gain the knowledge, support and confidence I need to turn my idea into a real business in Austria," says Daria Driuchenko, Ukrainian film producer and director based in Austria.
Who is the program for?
The program is designed for Ukrainian women aged 18 and above who arrived in Austria following the outbreak of the full-scale war and have an idea they want to develop. It is intended both for women who previously ran businesses in Ukraine and for those who are just beginning to explore entrepreneurship or develop a social initiative.
Participants do not need a registered company, investors or a completed business plan. All they need is an idea, the motivation to develop it and the willingness to learn. The program will bring together 25 Ukrainian women living across Austria.
Vienna, Austria, July 10, 2026 – ERSTE Foundation, in partnership with the European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI) in cooperation with IFTE (Initiative for Teaching Entrepreneurship), has officially opened applications for Professional Integration HUB 4.0 – Entrepreneurship, marking the next stage in the evolution of the Professional Integration HUB. Building on three successful editions focused on professional integration, the program now shifts its focus towards supporting Ukrainian women who aspire to build their own businesses or social ventures in Austria.
Over the past three years, the Professional Integration HUB has supported Ukrainian professionals in integrating into the Austrian labour market through paid internships, professional development and career advancement opportunities. The program has served as an important step towards professional integration, opening opportunities for employment, career transitions, professional growth, and the development of meaningful professional connections within Austria’s labour market.
At the same time, the program team began noticing a new trend. After successfully rebuilding their professional lives, many participants started asking a different question: What if I build something of my own?
Practical learning guided by leading Austrian entrepreneurship experts
Over the course of five months, participants will work on their own projects, gradually transforming their ideas into structured business models and realistic implementation plans. The program combines practical workshops, thematic learning modules, individual and group coaching, and direct exchange with entrepreneurs, experts and representatives of Austria's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The program's lead experts, coaches and mentors will be Austrian entrepreneurship specialists from IFTE (#Entrepreneurship4Youth): Prof. Johannes Lindner, founder and chairman of IFTE, one of Europe's leading experts in entrepreneurship education, initiator of the YouthStart programme and network, and recipient of the Global Educator of the Year award, and Valentin Mayerhofer, Managing Director and Board Member of IFTE, who leads the implementation of some of Austria's flagship entrepreneurship education initiatives, including the Young Entrepreneurs Programme and the Youth Entrepreneurship Week. Throughout the program, they will share their expertise and guide participants in transforming their ideas into viable businesses and social ventures.
Each module focuses on a key stage of the entrepreneurial journey – from refining an idea and developing a business model to financial planning, legal and administrative aspects of doing business in Austria, marketing, communication, customer acquisition and pitching.
Professional Integration HUB 4.0 will run from October 2026 to February 2027. The program begins with an intensive opening event in autumn, followed by several months of modular learning and coaching. It concludes with a public Demo Day, where participants will present their projects to experts, partners and representatives of Austria's entrepreneurship community.
The program has been designed to fit around participants' professional and personal commitments. Most sessions take place over several days each month and are scheduled during evenings or weekends, making it possible to combine participation with work or studies while steadily developing a business idea.
By the end of the program, participants will have developed a business or social project concept, a business model, a financial and implementation plan, a solid understanding of Austria's entrepreneurial ecosystem, valuable professional connections and the confidence to take the first concrete steps towards launching their own venture.
Applications are open from July 10 to August 16, 2026 and can be submitted via the application form.
About ERSTE Foundation:
ERSTE Foundation is a philanthropic foundation and focuses its activities on Financial Health as well as strengthening democratic values and principles. As core shareholder of Erste Group, it safeguards the independence of one of the biggest banking groups in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. ERSTE Foundation invests its share of the profits in the common good.
About The European Centre for Freedom and Independence:
The European Centre for Freedom and Independence (EUCFI) is an Austrian public organization founded by Ukrainians after the full-scale invasion in Ukraine. EUCFI is dedicated to promoting a united Europe, supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine, and facilitating its integration into the European Union.
About IFTE:
IFTE #Entrepreneurship4Youth empowers people to develop entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking. The program encourages creativity, leadership, and problem-solving through hands-on learning experiences. It inspires youth to turn their ideas into impactful projects that contribute positively to society.
info@eucfi.org
+43 660 9604942
The European Centre for Freedom and Independence