Ukrainian Leadership Academy Foundation of Canada
The Ukrainian Leadership Academy Foundation of Canada (ULAFC) is an independent Canadian not-for-profit corporation. Our purpose is charitable and educational: to advance the education of young people — building their knowledge, character, civic responsibility, and leadership so they can help create a democratic, prosperous, and self-reliant society.
ULAFC works in Canada and internationally. Where we support organizations abroad — including the Ukrainian Leadership Academy — we do so by funding and delivering programs that further our own charitable purposes. The Foundation’s Board of Directors retains full and independent authority over how ULAFC’s resources are raised and used. We apply due diligence to every grant, enter into written agreements, and require ongoing monitoring and reporting so that funds are applied exclusively to charitable and educational activities.
Latest News
International coverage of Ukraine
International media continue to report on the war’s impact on Ukraine’s young people. Foundation-supported mentors and educators contribute their perspective on how youth and communities are coping and rebuilding.
Community and humanitarian response
Students, alumni, and educators connected to the programs we support have mobilized to help civilians affected by the war — delivering humanitarian aid, supporting displaced families, and assisting vulnerable community members.
Volunteering and civic education
Volunteering is embedded in the programs we support. Young people devote time each week to civic projects in their communities — a core part of their leadership education.
The Foundation
ULAFC advances education by supporting rigorous leadership-education programs for young people — delivered in partnership with organizations such as the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, under grant agreements that keep decision-making and accountability with the Foundation.
These programs give students aged 16–18 a demanding, full-time year that develops intellect, emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, and conflict-resolution skills — alongside the study of leadership, languages, humanities, social sciences, and management, and a practical understanding of how society, the economy, and civic life interact.
Students devote time each week to serving their communities. Activities focus on civilian humanitarian assistance — helping displaced families, supporting vulnerable community members, and contributing to local relief and recovery efforts.
Programs that reach communities across Ukraine
With the Foundation’s support, the programs we fund deliver national educational and public-awareness initiatives that help people gain new skills, learn about their country and its history, and see that they can make a difference.
BURNING CALL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS — INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN
Mobilizes Europeans to advocate for concrete political action to return thousands of Ukrainian children illegally deported from Ukraine.
DERZHAVOTVORENNIA (STATECRAFT GAME) — CIVIC EDUCATION
Helps young people understand how the state works and see their own role in shaping its future.
UA.MENTOR —mentoring skills
Teaches mentoring to young people as a core 21st-century skill.
SOFIIA KYIVSKA — STATE-BUILDING FORUM
Brings together young people and national leaders to explore state-building, Ukrainian identity, and Ukraine's future.
Why support Ukrainian Leadership Academy?
I listened to project presentations from students of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy and, you know — I have no doubt that Ukraine will soon become an example for others! I wish the whole country was like this so that Ukraine was charged with such energy. It is necessary for people like them to get a quality education, feel free and have access to all the opportunities. They will stay here and build Ukraine of the future, which we will all be proud of.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
President of Ukraine
Glad to get the opportunity to exchange now with 140 Ukrainian students of the Leadership Academy. Wherever your career will lead you, we count on you, as future leaders of Ukraine, to drive Ukraine’s EU integration and recovery.
Kaja Kallas,
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission
On May 15, 2018, we at the European Council were visited by the group of students from Kyiv wearing red t-shirts branded ‘I am Ukraïne I love freedom’. I had a chat with them. For a long time, I haven’t seen such an enthusiasm and positive emotions among young people
Donald Tusk,
President of the European Council
Today in Kyiv, at an event organized by the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, I met some incredible Ukrainian students.
When I looked into their eyes, I saw an experience they didn’t choose — one that marked them forever. I saw a maturity that came too soon, forced upon them by war.
But what matters most cannot be measured in numbers. It lies in the belief that educated young people are our best defense against evil.
Not weapons — but critical thinking — that can distinguish lies from truth.
Katarína Mathernová,
Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine
This morning, I had the pleasure of welcoming to the Senate 80 Ukrainian students, who came to discover our country and better understand how our democratic institutions function.
During our exchanges, we spoke in particular about the role of the Senate, Belgium’s commitment alongside Ukraine, and the ties between Ukraine and the European Union.
Another opportunity to reaffirm Belgium’s full solidarity with the Ukrainian people and our unwavering support for a united, free, and peaceful Europe
Vincent Blondel,
President of the Belgian Senate
ULA is a strategic partner of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in our work on the policy of national and civic identity. Because identity is formed in an environment where there is trust, joint action, and the experience of responsibility. That is why, in this work, it is important for us to proceed from regions, cities, communities, and local stories.
Matvii Bidnyi,
Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine
It was a great pleasure to welcome 150 young Ukrainians today at our office as part of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, an initiative that empowers young people from Ukraine through leadership development, civic engagement, and exposure to international institutions, helping them build the skills and confidence to shape the future of their country.
Their motto, ‘I am Ukrainian. I love freedom,’ resonates deeply with our own mandate: building a world where people are free to thrive.
I reminded them that youth has power: the power to say no, the power to advocate, the power to propose, and the power to do things differently.
That power has never been more important than it is today!”
Jean Van Wetter,
Managing Director / CEO, Enabel
I feel energized after my meeting with students from the Ukrainian Leadership Academy!
Students aged 16–20 representing every part of Ukraine devote a gap year to a 10-month program where they learn more about leadership in various fields, but all with the intent to build community and volunteer. I am immensely inspired!
Natalka Cmoc,
Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine
Ukrainian Leadership Academy is education that changes lives. It is not simply education, but an environment that shapes talented young men and women into responsible, strong, and ambitious leaders of the next generation.
I have been fortunate to be part of the community of lecturers.
I now meet graduates from the Academy’s first years (already after their studies at the best universities) in very responsible positions — so, it works.
Valerii Pekar,
ULA Lecturer
I joined the Academy when I was 19, and I have never regretted my choice.
ULA helped me discover the breadth of the world, showed me a horizon of different opportunities, and allowed me to try myself in different roles and activities.
The Academy helped me explore myself and the world around me and understand where and with whom I wanted to move forward. The latter, in my opinion, is the most important.
Community is not just a word; these are real people with whom I work, study, travel, attend rallies, and volunteer. These are people with whom ‘changing the world for the better’ is not just a beautiful phrase, but a real step-by-step plan.”
Yaryna Bila,
ULA Alumna
Our Partners
The Ukrainian Leadership Academy was founded in 2015 by Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund f/k/a Western NIS Enterprise Fund — the first regional direct-investment fund in Ukraine and Moldova — and has since drawn support from more than 50 businesses, family foundations, and individual donors.
ULAFC is grateful to its Canadian supporters, whose contributions make the Foundation’s work possible.
ULAFC’s Canadian supporters
Support youth leadership education
With the Foundation’s support, the programs we fund deliver national educational and public-awareness initiatives that help people gain new skills, learn about their country and its history, and see that they can make a difference.
How your donation is used
You may indicate a preference for how your gift is applied. Final authority over the use of all donations rests with ULAFC’s Board of Directors. If we are unable to apply your gift to your preferred program, we will use it for other activities that further our charitable purposes, and it will not be returned.
Ways to give
Online: donate securely through ULAFC’s Canadian donation page.
In person or by mail: 3029 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Toronto, ON, Canada M8X 1C5.
Contact ULAFC
Address
3029 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Toronto, ON, Canada M8X 1C5
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About the Foundation
Our Purpose
Programs We Support
© 2026 Ukrainian Leadership Academy Foundation of Canada. All rights reserved.
ULAFC is an independent Canadian not-for-profit corporation and retains full discretion and control over the use of all funds it raises.