Despite the challenges brought by war, Ukraine remains focused on its youth and their future, particularly through education and technology. One of the most impactful initiatives is STEM is FEM, a local organization that empowers young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In 2022 alone, the project received over 4,000 applications for various activities promoting STEM disciplines. Serhii Tokarev, the project’s founder and a prominent IT entrepreneur, has shared insights into its efforts to prepare Ukraine’s youth for a tech-driven future.
In 2023, STEM is FEM launched a new program: a course on urban planning and architecture called Urbanism. To broaden its reach, the organization partnered with Diia.Osvita / Diia.Education, a national education platform supported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation. This collaboration made the course accessible to any Ukrainian child interested in the subject, regardless of their location. With over half of the country’s children displaced due to the war, according to UNICEF, online education has become critical. Tokarev highlighted that providing accessible education in this challenging environment is key to ensuring the country’s long-term success.
The four-month Urbanism course, as described by Serhii Tokarev, educated 50 girls in urban planning and architecture. Participants explored the public spaces of Ichinia, Trostyanets, and Okhtyrka—Ukrainian cities heavily impacted by the war. Their task was to develop reconstruction projects for these areas, gaining both practical and theoretical knowledge. The top ten projects were refined by industry professionals and are set to be implemented in real-world reconstruction efforts. Apart from that, three standout participants were selected to contribute to Okhtyrka’s master city plan and secured internships with the NGO Urban Reform, providing them with valuable hands-on experience.
According to Serhii Tokarev, today, all 17 episodes of the Urbanism course are available online through Diia.Osvita, allowing even more young Ukrainians to explore topics such as responsible citizenship, public space design, post-war reconstruction, and inclusivity in urban planning. The course not only focuses on technical aspects but also highlights the social responsibilities that come with shaping the future of cities.
“With the massive task of post-war reconstruction ahead, it is essential to involve the younger generation in the process. They need to understand how cities function and how they can improve them,” says Serhii Tokarev. He believes this knowledge is crucial as Ukraine moves towards rebuilding after the devastation caused by war.
Urban planning was not the only focus for STEM is FEM in 2023. Later in the year, the project teamed up with the Ukrainian women’s lingerie brand brabrabra to launch an educational module on the light industry. This module allowed 30 girls to meet industry experts, listen to motivational speakers, and explore the clothing production process. Participants even had the opportunity to design their own lingerie collections, applying what they learned in a real-world context. This initiative broadened the scope of STEM is FEM beyond traditional tech fields, offering insights into an industry that also requires innovation and creativity.
According to STEM is FEM’s head, Elizaveta Korenko, the need for skilled professionals in STEM fields is growing rapidly in Ukraine, yet few initiatives focus on preparing young people for these careers.
“The shortage of experts starts long before employment—it begins when young people do not pursue these fields of study,” Korenko explains. The project is determined to change that by creating educational programs that target schoolgirls and students, encouraging them to consider careers in STEM, where women are still underrepresented.
Serhii Tokarev shares this vision, emphasizing the importance of attracting more women to STEM. He believes that technological progress is only achievable when a diverse range of perspectives and experiences are brought into the field. Initiatives like STEM is FEM are vital, not just for Ukraine’s technological advancement, but for the future of innovation on a global scale.