STEM is FEM joins the UN Global Compact

The educational project STEM is FEM has become a participant of the UN Global Compact, the world's largest community of businesses operating according to ESG standards.

STEM is FEM is the first STEM ecosystem in Ukraine that brings together organizations, people, and ideas to promote education and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine awarded the project the title of "Honorary Ambassador of Ukraine in the field of scientific and educational diplomacy." Among the UN Sustainable Development Goals that STEM is FEM works on are quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable development of cities and communities, and partnership for the goals.

The project was launched in 2019 on the initiative of IT entrepreneur Serhiy Tokaryev. The STEM is FEM team consists of three people who create activities that help Ukrainian youth during the full-scale war. For example, in 2022, STEM is FEM launched the educational course "Urbanism."

"Even before the start of the full-scale invasion, girls from our community asked us to organize events dedicated to urbanism. And after February 24, this topic emerged in a new light. The Russian army destroys Ukrainian cities and towns every day, and even if the reconstruction process starts today, it will take many years. Of course, the restoration of settlements requires experts, and along with them - concerned citizens who understand their cities and know what they can be," explains STEM is FEM Chairperson Yelizaveta Korenko.

Within the educational course "Urbanism," 50 girls studied the basics of urban planning and architecture while simultaneously developing their own projects for rebuilding public spaces in the destroyed Ukrainian cities. The best projects were refined by professionals and proposed to communities for implementation on the ground.

In 2022, STEM is FEM launched the information campaign "Science to Protect Yourself." The goal of the initiative is to protect Ukrainians from human trafficking, as many have been leaving the country due to the full-scale invasion.

Additionally, to support Ukrainian teenagers, the project conducted integration clubs "Unity in Science" online and offline in seven cities across Ukraine for seven months. The events were attended by both local teenagers and youth with displaced persons status.