Ideas That Shape Tomorrow: Winners of the 8th All-Ukrainian Student Project Competition “From Idea to Success” Announced

On May 7, 2025, the long-awaited 2nd round of the student project competition “From Idea to Success” took place, bringing together creative, proactive, and determined students from all over Ukraine. For the 8th consecutive year, the event has been organized by the Department of Production and Investment Management at the NULES of Ukraine. The competition is held within the framework of the educational program “Management of Investment Activities and International Projects” and in the context of implementing the Jean Monnet Module project “EU Practices of Social and Economic Inclusion” (Erasmus+ 101127466 – EPSEI – ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH), jointly with the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence project “European Studies of Social Innovation in Education” (ESSIE - 101085552 - ERASMUS-JMO-2022-COE).

As is tradition, the competition was opened by the founder of the Department of Production and Investment Management, the initiator of the competition, Associate member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Economics, Professor Lidiia Shynkaruk. She welcomed the participants, jury members, and guests, emphasizing that the goal of the competition “From Idea to Success” is to stimulate innovative thinking among youth, develop entrepreneurial skills, and create a platform for presenting ideas that can be practically implemented.

The participants and guests were also welcomed by:
• Volodymyr Otchenashko, Head of the Scientific Research Department of the NULES, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate member of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine;
• Anatolii Ostapchuk, Dean of the Faculty of Agrarian Management of the NULES of Ukraine, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor;
• Anatolii Vdovichen, Director of the Chernivtsi Institute of Trade and Economics of the State University of Trade and Economics, Doctor of Economics, Professor;
• Mariia Nesterova, Head of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence “European Studies of Social Innovation in Education” at the Dragomanov Ukrainian State University, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor;
• Dmytro Lazarenko, Professor of the Department of Financial Investigations and Economic Security at the State Tax University, Doctor of Economics, Professor.
Jury Composition

The jury featured experts from both academia and the business world, ensuring fair and insightful evaluations. The jury included:
• Borys Malovanyi, Director of Euro Pak Trade LLC;
• Leonid Milman, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor at the Chernivtsi Trade and Economic Institute;
• Ivan Ohoiko, Head of Sales Department at “Sklad Service Kyiv”;
• Vladyslav Tsykunov, Project Manager at MHP PJSC.

Notably, some jury members were graduates of the very same program “Management of Investment Activities and International Projects,” returning as successful professionals and now experts — such as Borys Malovanyi and Ivan Ohoiko — adding a special symbolic touch to the event.

Evaluation Criteria
Projects were assessed based on:
• Relevance and originality of the idea,
• Clarity of objectives,
• Final outcomes and feasibility,
• Risk evaluation,
• Presentation logic and creativity.

Out of a broad pool, 50 projects advanced to the second round, covering areas from economic sectors to community development. Participants represented multiple Ukrainian institutions, including the NULES, the Chernivtsi Institute of STEU, Odesa National University, Kyiv National Linguistic University, and Western Ukrainian National University.

Section 1: Agricultural Sector Projects

Highlighted by creativity and deep subject knowledge, these projects emphasized the importance of agriculture for Ukraine’s economy and public welfare.

Winners:
First place. Anna Krasnoshtan – "Meadery Business Project" (Supervisor: Vitalii Havryliuk, Assoc. Prof., PhD in Economics)
Second place. Diana Sincumami – "HempTech" (Supervisor: Tetiana Nezveshchuk-Kohut, Assoc. Prof., PhD in Economics) and Kateryna Feshchenko – "Business-plan for Tomato Greenhouse Project" (Supervisor: Associate member of the NASU, Doctor of Economics, Prof. Lidiia Shynkaruk)
Third place. Was shared by the following projects:
- "OG HUB: Organic Growth Hub" by Kateryna Vansarovska and Kateryna Sukach (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Emiliia Prushkivska);
- "Greensorghum – Sorghum Cultivation" by Mykyta Polishchuk (Supervisor: PhD in Public Administration, Assoc. Prof. Anna Dergach);
- "Project for Opening a Dealership Center for Agricultural Machinery" by Viacheslav Horelkov (Supervisor: PhD in Economics, Assoc. Prof. Tetiana Lobunets);
- "Smart Soil Monitoring and Fertilization Optimization System" by Daria Ivanenko (Supervisor: PhD in Public Administration, Assoc. Prof. Kateryna Alekseieva);
- "AgroCompost UA" by Margarit Sarkisian and Yulia Ulusian (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Iryna Lomachynska and Lecturer Alina Voitsechovska).

Section 2: Projects in Other Economic Sectors

Projects in this section tackled contemporary issues with original approaches.

Winners:
First place. Kostiantyn Yevtushenko – "To-Go Coffee Shop" (Supervisor: Associate member of the NASU, Doctor of Economics, Prof. Lidiia Shynkaruk).
Second place. Was awarded to the following projects:
- "Investment Project for the Development of a Vehicle Rental Company" by Stanislav Alyoshyn (Supervisor: PhD in Public Administration, Assoc. Prof. Anna Dergach);
- Coffee shop “Mix Hub – Meeting of Cultures” by Yulia Prysiazhniuk (Supervisor: PhD in Economics, Assoc. Prof. Volodymyr Yevdoshchak);
- "Opening of the Coffee Shop 'Kavova Polonyna'" by Liliia Ivanova, Iryna Subutovych, and team (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Maryna Dielini);
- "AgroMilitary" by Viktoriia Cherenkova and Kateryna Mukhomadiar (Supervisor: PhD in Economics, Assoc. Prof. Tetiana Lobunets);
- "Investment Project: Video Production" by Anton Shchutskyi (Supervisor: Associate member of the NASU, Doctor of Economics, Prof. Lidiia Shynkaruk).
Third place. "Moduline: Project for the Production of Modern Modular Homes" by Kateryna Smirnova and Olena Safianikova (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Iryna Lomachynska and Lecturer Alina Voitsechovska).

Section 3: Social Projects

These entries addressed vulnerable communities and social challenges, emphasizing the importance of social entrepreneurship.

Winners:
First place. Hanna Islamhaleieva & Anastasiia Pospieieva – "Inclusive Veteran Space ‘Stronger’" (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Iryna Lomachynska and Lecturer Alina Voitsechovska).
Second place. Was shared by the following projects:
- “Voice of the Street” by Alina Kvasnevska and Iryna Dovbush (Supervisor: PhD in Economics, Assoc. Prof. Nadiia Reshetnyk);
- “SolarHarvest – Infrastructure and Innovation Project with Elements of Social Entrepreneurship” by Stanislav Shundryk and Mykyta Karpov (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Emiliia Prushkivska).
Third place. Was awarded to the following projects:
• “Opening of a Canistherapy Center (Therapy with Dogs) in Chervonohrad” by Sofiia Reshtei (Supervisor: PhD in History, Oksana Bulhakova);
• Social and ecological project with entrepreneurial elements “ReWear – New Life for Old Clothes” by Anastasiia Syvyrynenko and Yuliia Shliakhtun (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Emiliia Prushkivska);
• “EcoCup” Project by Nazar Fedytnyk (Supervisor: PhD in Public Administration, Assoc. Prof. Kateryna Alekseieva);
• Social and ecological project “EcoAgroPlatform” by Sofiia Chemer and Olha Voitiuk (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Prof. Emiliia Prushkivska).

Section 4: Community Development Projects

These focused on enhancing quality of life, economic growth, and youth engagement.

Winners:
First place. Kateryna Synko – "Inclusive Preschool ‘PERSONAR’" (Supervisor: Vitalii Havryliuk, Assoc. Prof., PhD in Economics)
Second place. “K.U.L.E.S.H.A.” by Danylo Vdovіchen (Supervisor: PhD in Public Administration, Valeriia Peniuk).
Third place. Went to the project “Optimization of Financial Resources of Territorial Communities Through Personal Income Tax” by Tetiana Buriak (Supervisor: Dr. of Economics, Assoc. Prof. Fedir Tkachyk).

The “From Idea to Success” competition concluded on a high note, leaving participants, mentors, and the jury inspired. It proved that student creativity, teamwork, and initiative can lead to real societal impact. Participants gained experience in public speaking, expert feedback, and motivation to continue innovating.

Professor Lidiia Shynkaruk closed the event with the hope that new ideas are already taking shape for the next, 9th competition.

Special Thanks

We extend heartfelt gratitude to the jury members for their expert guidance, encouragement, and invaluable advice.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all participants! Your energy, drive, and creativity are the foundation for future transformations.

Thanks also to the academic supervisors who helped students turn ideas into real projects.

See you at the 9th All-Ukrainian Student Project Competition “From Idea to Success” and other academic events hosted by the Department of Production and Investment Management at the Faculty of Agrarian Management of the NULES of Ukraine.

Anna DERGACH,
Associate Professor of the Department
of Production and Investment Management

Translated by Oleksandr CHEMODUROV