Focus Area
Women’s Empowerment, Workforce Integration
Location
Austria
Beneficiaries
Ukrainian women displaced by war, seeking professional integration in Austria
Safavi's Role
Directly managed and funded by the Safavi Impact Institute
Key Impact
Over 100 Ukrainian women supported through job placement services, language courses, and application/interview preparation
Project Overview
The Ukrainian Women’s Initiative addresses the professional displacement of highly qualified Ukrainian women resettled in Austria due to war. While many of these women bring advanced skills and experience, they face linguistic, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers to entering the Austrian labor market. This initiative bridges that gap by providing job placement support, emotional resilience resources, and language training to help participants secure work aligned with their qualifications.
Beneficiary Profile
The initiative serves displaced Ukrainian women now residing in Austria—many of whom were professionals in fields such as education, healthcare, business, and science before the war. These women often arrive with credentials, work experience, and strong motivation to contribute meaningfully to their new communities, yet lack the systemic support to navigate a foreign job market. Participants range from recent arrivals to mothers rebuilding their careers post-migration.
Safavi's Role
The Safavi Impact Institute directly manages and funds this program. It provides:
One-on-one job search and application coaching
German language instruction and profession-specific conversation training
Interview preparation and CV support
Emotional support groups to rebuild confidence
Strategic partnerships with Austrian businesses and institutions to identify viable job placements
Safavi also plays a convening role—facilitating collaboration between government bodies, private employers, and community organizations to create sustainable professional pathways.
Media
Project Gallery
Photo Credit: Ukrainian Women’s Initiative
Impact Achieved
Since its launch, the Ukrainian Women’s Initiative has provided:
General consultation to hundreds of women entering the Austrian job market
Structured interview training and application support leading to successful employment placements
Emotional support groups that have helped restore professional self-esteem for dozens of participants
Language and cultural fluency programs that have enabled meaningful integration, including innovative methods such as a Filmklub and German conversation courses tied to specific professional roles
Testimonial:
"I thought I’d never return to my career. This program gave me more than skills—it gave me dignity back." — Program Participant
Purpose & Signifigance
This initiative embodies Safavi’s core belief in human potential and the transformative power of inclusive opportunity. By supporting Ukrainian women in restarting their careers, the program not only promotes economic resilience for individuals but strengthens Austria’s workforce with diverse perspectives and talents. Supporting those displaced by war is both a humanitarian obligation and a strategic investment in social cohesion and prosperity.
Future Outlook
Safavi Impact Institute plans to deepen this initiative by:
Expanding employer partnerships across more sectors
Scaling the language training component to include digital access
Launching a mentorship network connecting Austrian professionals with participants
Exploring policy collaborations to streamline professional recertification for displaced professionals
