Yana KRYVYCH, PhD in Economics and Associate Professor, and Yevheniia ZIABINA, PhD in Economics and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Marketing of Sumy State University, were involved as trainers in a project by the international organisation HelpAge. Within the project, they conducted a series of training sessions aimed at raising awareness and developing the competencies of target groups, specifically retirement-age individuals with IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) status.
Project coordination on behalf of Sumy State University is managed by the Centre for Professional and Continuing Education of SumDU, which provides organisational support, facilitates interaction with partners, and involves the university’s academic staff in project activities.
The project was implemented from November to December 2025 and reached over 100 participants from five regions of Ukraine (Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Chernivtsi, and Ivano-Frankivsk), demonstrating the broad scope of the initiative and its relevance across different regions of the country.
The participation of the Marketing Department lecturers in the HelpAge project exemplifies the practical application of the university’s expert potential, cross-sectoral cooperation, and the social responsibility of the higher education institution. The experience gained contributes to the implementation of modern approaches to adult education, strengthens the link between science, education, and social practice, and expands professional development opportunities for faculty members.
Sumy State University continues to support initiatives aimed at community development, increasing social cohesion, and implementing the best international practices in the fields of education and social support.