Valeriia Pysanko awarded the 1325 scholarship in memory of Zaida Catalán

– Receiving this scholarship is not only an opportunity for me to grow personally – it is a chance to apply everything I have learned and make a real difference for women in and outside Ukraine, says Valeriia.

The 1325 Scholarship was established by FBA on behalf of the Swedish government in 2020 and targets young peacebuilders at the beginning of their career. It gives them an opportunity to gain more knowledge and experience in their local contexts, on issues related to women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

This first call for the scholarship in Ukraine resulted in very qualified applications. The choice of Valeriia as the best candidate was based on her combination of relevant university education, together with her commitment to human rights, with a focus on young people and women.

– Valeriia is a very driven person with a great passion for the cause. Her fieldwork combined with first-hand experiences from the full-scale invasion has given her a deep understanding of women’s situation in Ukraine today, says Isa Li Axberg, desk officer in charge of the 1325 scholarship at FBA.

Driving force from personal experiences

Her dedication to women, peace and security was established at a young age in Ukraine. At the same time, her opinions and identity evoked strong reactions from her surroundings - including lack of understanding for neurodiversity, resistance to LGBTQ+ rights, or being dismissed simply for being a woman. At the age of 12, the internet opened a door for her to discover the wider world, and it was an insight that was both overwhelming and empowering.

– I suddenly realised that women across the globe were facing the same struggles: misogyny, prejudice and limited opportunities, Valeriia continues.

Insights that later became a strong impetus for the activism that drives her today.

– My commitment deepened even further during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where I nearly lost my home and had to rely on the kindness of others. This gave me a profound sense of gratitude and purpose. I knew I had to give back and ensure that other women could access the support they need to overcome challenges and grow.

New perspectives and important frameworks

The experience from representing civil society organizations internationally has given her a greater understanding of how international frameworks for women, peace and security can be connected to Ukraine’s unique challenges. She now sees the scholarship as an opportunity to make an even greater difference.

– I am ready to bring my insights and global perspectives to the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, while being inspired and learn from their wisdom and passion, she explains.

She additionally looks forward to increasing her understanding of how monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) works in practice, and how the organization works collectively as a team to create initiatives that can make a difference.

Visions for the future

Her long-term goal is to continue working with policy and advocacy. In a free Ukraine, without fear of war and destruction.

– I dream of a society where gender equality is not linked to shared sacrifices in times of crisis but to shared ambitions for growth and prosperity. I really want to be part of that transformation and contribute to a peaceful, inclusive Ukraine - where everyone has a chance to flourish.

Professional background

Valeriia has a master's degree in Philology with a focus on communication and translation. In addition, she is a committed HR activist with a focus on youth and women's rights. This, together with language skills in Ukrainian, English, German and Spanish, enables her to effectively communicate and collaborate with different stakeholders.

Read more about the 1325 scholarship in memory of Zaida Catalán 

FBA is Sweden’s expert agency for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in 2000. Together with subsequent resolutions, it forms the agenda for women, peace and security. The agenda states that including women in the prevention, management and solution of conflicts is crucial for sustainable peace and security. The resolutions also highlight the need to improve the protection of women and girls from violence and the effects of conflicts.