Impact

CLPU 2025 Alumni Reunion in Odesa

The Alumni of the Civil Society Leadership Programme for Ukraine 2025 met for a self-organised Alumni gathering in Odesa, Ukraine. One of our Alumna, Valeriia Ovcharova, took the time to share some impressions with us on this great initiative!

To celebrate the first anniversary of their graduation, alumni of the NGO Academy’s CLPU 2025 programme gathered in Odesa for a reflection and networking meeting.

Representing different Ukrainian civil society organisations, the alumni reflected on how the programme had influenced their personal and professional development, shared the changes they had experienced over the past year, and discussed their future plans. The meeting also provided an opportunity to strengthen connections and coordinate efforts in humanitarian response, community development, and recovery.

Beyond the professional discussions, the gathering was also filled with warm and memorable moments. The alumni spent hours laughing, sharing meaningful and personal conversations late into the night, and watching the sunrise by the sea. These moments brought them even closer, strengthening not only their professional connections but also the genuine friendships that had grown since the programme.

The reunion highlighted that programmes like CLPU offer much more than valuable knowledge and practical skills. They help build a strong and connected civil society community, united by shared values, mutual trust, and a commitment to making a positive difference in Ukraine.

Special thanks go to the Relief Coordination Center and CLPU alumnus Yevhen Koliada for their generous support in making this gathering possible and helping create a welcoming space for the alumni community to reconnect.