Favbet Foundation and Andrii Matiukha expand access to digital education for Ukrainian teens
Favbet Foundation and Andrii Matiukha expand access to digital education for Ukrainian teens (photo: press-center)
The second Ticket to IT workshop, organized as part of the Build Up initiative by Favbet Foundation, took place in Stryi on June 28. A total of 53 teenagers participated in the event, including children of internally displaced persons, military personnel, orphans, as well as youth from small towns and families under social services' care.
This event marked the continuation of a successful initiative launched in Kyiv, where the first Ticket to IT workshop offered teenagers their initial exposure to digital careers. In Stryi, participants explored 12 key areas of IT — from programming and cybersecurity to UI/UX design and robotics. The format emphasized hands-on learning in small groups, combined with interactive sessions led by industry experts. Some of the sessions were facilitated by students of GoFriends IT Academy — teens who already have real experience in the tech world.
The Build Up project is part of the broader IT Kids program run by Favbet Foundation. Launched in 2023, the program began with a Python course developed in partnership with Code Club Ukraine, completed by more than 350 participants, including children from military and displaced families. It was later followed by a Scratch programming course, which engaged over 700 more students. In total, the program has already reached more than 1,100 children across Ukraine.
Following the workshop, all participants were invited to join a free summer IT camp hosted by GoFriends IT Academy. The camp provides further education in programming, project-based teamwork, assessments, and the opportunity to qualify for the Academy’s long-term programs — all entirely free of charge.
“We firmly believe that access to quality education should never be limited by geography or social background. That’s why all of our IT Kids programs are free and specifically focused on engaging children who might otherwise never consider a future in tech,” said Andrii Matiukha, President of Favbet Foundation.
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to expand educational opportunities for young Ukrainians by developing new, innovative formats in tech education. Previous initiatives also included providing modern computer equipment to schools in war-affected communities, ensuring access to learning for children in even the most challenging circumstances.
