Image
21/04/2026
Image
Pavlo shows ERC staff one of his products
Countries
Pavlo is originally from Yenakiieve in the Donetsk region. In 2014, due to the war, he was forced to leave his hometown and relocate to Dnipro. It was there that the story of launching his own business began.
Since childhood, Pavlo loved arts and crafts and was always looking for a way to turn his passion into a profession. He started small – renting a summer kitchen from an acquaintance and assembling his first CNC (computer numerical control) machines by hand to automate manufacturing techniques. By improving existing technologies, Pavlo effectively combined craftsmanship with modern manufacturing.
Gradually, he began producing wooden items and later expanded to working with aluminum and foam plastic. His products grew in popularity among furniture factories, as not every carpenter can create such complex carved elements. The business grew: Orders increased, employees were hired, and new ideas emerged.
The full-scale invasion in 2022 changed everything once again. The business came to a halt, and he had to leave the premises. Pavlo moved to the city of Samar in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where he purchased two garages and relocated his equipment. At the same time, he took care of his family – moving his relatives, including his grandmother whose house had been damaged by shelling.
In 2023, Pavlo decided to start over from scratch. Today, he has four machines and independently writes programs for their operation. His main clients are furniture companies facing an acute shortage of skilled workers. Recently, Pavlo even mastered the production of artistic parquet, marking another step in developing his business.
Image
To work steadily and hire employees, the production needs to be scaled up. This requires additional machines, including a specialized four-axis machine for producing specific components which are otherwise impossible to easily manufacture. It has proven impossible for Pavlo to raise funds for such equipment independently and accessible credit options are currently unavailable.
For this reason, Pavlo applied for the “Resilient Self-Employment Initiatives” program by the Estonian Refugee Council. He completed the training sessions, prepared a business plan, and successfully defended his proposal during a competitive selection process. The expected grant of $5,000 will allow him to purchase the necessary equipment and take the next step by creating jobs and ensuring a stable income for his family. ERC looks forward to following Pavlo’s journey over the coming months while offering customized business support as needed.
“Working with wood is my ikigai (raison d'être). You take an ordinary stump and can turn it into anything. Wood is alive,” Pavlo says with a smile.
This story is about resilience, talent, and how timely support helps people not only survive, but also rebuild and grow their businesses even in the most challenging times.
The “Resilient Self-Employment Initiatives” (RISE) programme is implemented with financial support from the United States Government and in partnership with Acted through the Ukraine Response Consortium.
17/04/2026
Inspiring meetings and practical language learning help Ukrainian youth adapt
The first three months of this year have been very active at the Estonian Refugee Council, with our programmes in Estonia focusing on supporting Ukrainian refugee youth in learning Estonian and building their future here.
15/04/2026
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in March
On 10 April, the Estonian Refugee Council’s portrait exhibition “Voices from Crises: Stories of Displaced People” opened in Tartu as part of Gallery Night at Aparaaditehas. The exhibition tells the stories of refugees living in Estonia and will remain open until 1 June 2026.
A refugee youth-led project called “Noortepulss” has started in Estonia, focusing on building a community in Tartu where both young people and older people can meet and take part in activities together.
Family events in Tartu that support community feeling and help people with refugee backgrounds adjust to life in Estonia have also begun successfully.
In Ukraine, 39 generators and 48 battery stations purchased with support from Estonian donors and the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have now been delivered.
By the end of March, Ukraine’s mental health helpline had received more than 5,830 calls.
In Armenia, a public forum was held by a community council led by people with refugee backgrounds who are advocating for their rights. The discussion focused on housing and legal issues.
30/03/2026
Estonian Refugee Council portrait exhibition "Voices from Crises: Stories of Displaced People" at the Aparaaditehas Corridor Gallery
The Estonian Refugee Council’s portrait exhibition "Voices from Crises: Stories of Displaced People" presents the stories of people with refugee backgrounds living in Estonia. The exhibition will open as part of Gallery Night vol. 18 at the Aparaaditehas Corridor Gallery (door no. 2, 2nd floor) on 10 April and will be open from 18:00 to 23:00 during the event.
13/03/2026
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in February
Estonian Refugee Council is now part of the Standby Partnership Network – an international network that brings together UN agencies and humanitarian expert rosters from around the world.
In Estonia, we raised donations to purchase generators, fuel, and other essential items for crisis and evacuation centres, so that they can continue their work under extreme conditions. As of today, 24 generators and 16 high-capacity power stations have been delivered, and the work continues.
Since 2022, we have supported people affected by the war in Ukraine with cash-based humanitarian assistance worth more than €60 million.
In February, an online business training programme in Ukraine concluded, with a total of 278 participants completing the course.
This winter season, we supported more than 5,000 vulnerable families in Ukraine with heating assistance.
In Estonia, nearly 300 people took part in adaptation trainings.
In Armenia, we have trained the members of the community councils, who can soon begin the councils’ core work based on the initiative ideas gathered and chosen by the members.
03/03/2026
Estonian Refugee Council prepares to support people affected by war in the Middle East
The Estonian Refugee Council is preparing to support people affected by the war in the Middle East and neighbouring countries in response to the growing humanitarian needs in the region.
02/03/2026
Estonian Refugee Council joins international network connecting UN agencies and expert rosters
Estonian Refugee Council has joined the Standby Partnership Network (SPB Network) – an international network that brings together UN agencies and humanitarian expert rosters from around the world. It strengthens the organisation’s international role and enables it to contribute more systematically to responding to global crises.
23/02/2026
Ukrainian musician on a train to Kharkiv: thoughts on war, home, and safety
24 February 2026, marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That is almost one and a half thousand days of fear, uncertainty, and instability. During this time, millions of Ukrainians have had to adapt to attacks and extreme conditions, and for many, even leave their homes. Kristin Västra, private donations specialist at the Estonian Refugee Council, spoke with young Ukrainian musician Bohdana on a train to Kharkiv at the end of January about what the war means for Ukrainians and how they are coping.
20/02/2026
Group meetings give refugees a sense of security and help restore emotional balance
Last year, a total of 60 people with a refugee background in Estonia took part in group meetings based on the MindSpring method, organised by the Estonian Refugee Council. The meetings, attended by both young people and adults, provided participants with the confidence needed to cope better in a new country.
19/02/2026
Overview of the Estonian Refugee Council's Activities in January
In Estonia, we are collecting donations to purchase generators, fuel, and other essential items for crisis and evacuation centres, so that they can continue their work under extreme conditions.
Part of the campaign, on 26 and 28 February, charity group winter swimming events in support of Ukraine will take place in Tallinn, at Logisaun and Lennusulpsus respectively. Further information is available on Pagulasabi’s website and Facebook page.
As of the end of January, we have provided cash assistance in Ukraine to more than 317,000 people, totalling over €59 million.
In Ukraine, we conducted a series of online business training sessions for nearly 280 entrepreneurs in vulnerable situations, helping those affected by the war to create sustainable sources of income.
In Estonia, 190 people participated in adaptation training sessions. Courses on residence permits continued to generate the greatest interest.
In Armenia, in Yerevan and Abovyan, two new groups began an 8-day programme supporting the mental wellbeing of people with a refugee background and providing practical skills for independent living.
12/02/2026
A challenge for Ukraine – charity winter swimming
February marks four years since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, and this winter has been exceptionally difficult for Ukrainians due to intensified Russian attacks and severe weather conditions. The Estonian Refugee Council is organising a winter swimming challenge in support of Ukraine to raise awareness of the extreme conditions people are facing and to collect donations to support those affected.