.png)
World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2022 shows that at the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to reach full parity. But we all can do something to speed up the process.
Our value code at Beetroot Ecosystem sets out our commitment to providing diversity in a broad sense and gender equality in particular. Improving diversity and inclusion is our strategic direction for the coming years, and we have some numbers to be proud of.
.png)
We chose five countries to compare. We asked real women from Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Bulgaria, and Moldova — where Beetroot or Beetroot Academy operate — to answer three questions and inspire other women to have a career in tech despite all the challenges. And the challenges could be pretty impressive. Just take a look at this comparison chart first:
.png)
.png)
Today, it is difficult for me to single out a person who motivates me. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, I have been inspired by all Ukrainian women, who, by their actions, prove the unsustainability of the pseudo-traditional myth of a woman as a keeper of home comfort, in fact, a creature who is not able to take care of even her own life and needs constant male supervision. Ukrainian women defend their homeland with arms, work, search for and buy the necessary equipment, medicines, and uniforms all over the world, participate in the development of complex software systems for the army, distribute tons of humanitarian aid, weave camouflage nets, and make trench candles from cat food cans, and take care of themselves, their families, and strangers who find themselves in difficult circumstances. I am really proud to live at the same time as these women, to know them, and to see how Ukrainian women not only have the right to equality in declarative terms but successfully realize it in all spheres of life.
If colleagues or potential employers are not ready to accept a woman as an equal participant in certain processes, you often don't even know about the missed opportunities: you simply won't be invited for an interview, won't be involved in the discussion of a new project, etc. Clear cases are mostly related to positive discrimination, when a woman is given certain unsolicited “advantages” for which she is supposed to be grateful: to make concessions, not to defend her rights, not to realize her ambitions. A striking example of this is conscription in the army, which is used in almost every debate about the need to continue the fight for women's rights as an argument in favor of the statement “women have already received all the rights they need, and now they are trying to get undeserved advantages.” The only recipe I know to combat this in the professional sphere is to ask myself every time: “Does this attitude apply to male colleagues? Can they also take advantage of this opportunity?” If the answer is “no,” you should refuse such “gifts” in an acceptable manner, without provoking a conflict, to avoid putting yourself in a dependent position.
“Buy yourself some comfortable shoes!”. At first, this advice was literally about shoes – I lived most of my life with the idea that “a woman should decorate the world with herself,” which means constantly wearing makeup and beautiful (albeit uncomfortable) high-heeled shoes. Coupled with her love of hiking and traveling, heels gave her the predictable result of rapid fatigue and many minor injuries. Buying my first pair of sneakers in my size, which I used to be ashamed of because a “real woman” should have a foot slightly larger than a child's, truly turned my worldview upside down. Since then, in any business, the first thing I check is whether I have the “comfortable shoes” to go the distance and, if I'm not comfortable, what I can do to get rid of this discomfort. Usually, you must try to eliminate the imposed restrictions and allow yourself to be as effective as possible, but it's worth it in most cases!
.png)
I greatly respect women like Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, Katherine Johnson, and Hedy Lamarr, who just did what they were told they could not do.
The major barrier for me was that I was told I couldn't go to architectural high school. Then I can't study Informatics or electronics at university because these things are not for a woman, according to my parents. This is still a major barrier for lots of girls in Bulgaria. It cannot be overcome easily. I didn't get lucky as a high schooler and studied accounting, but I got a bit lucky and studied Informatics at university. Pure luck. The other barrier for women in Bulgaria is the disrespect they face daily about their work and efforts. Now, I'm just excellent at my work; that's how I overcome barriers.
To be kind, to have in mind that everyone faces their own struggles I know nothing about, so I should be respectful and listen more. When I write, it sounds like I saw it in some graffiti somewhere, but it's helping a lot.
.png)
The woman that inspires me the most is my grandma. She's the toughest person I know. Since her childhood, she experienced a lot of headwinds in her life, but she never gave up, and she always looked for positive aspects. She has a strong character, and to some people, she may seem cold. I really look up to her and try to be as strong as she is to overcome all obstacles in my life.
I've never experienced any challenges in my career due to being a woman. But my career history is very short, since I graduated from university only last summer and started working professionally recently. I hope that I'll never face any challenges because of my gender.
The most important piece of advice I've been given is that giving a chance to things or people that don't convince us from the beginning might turn out interesting. And even if we didn't like it after all, at least we've tried.
.png)
Lately, I find myself inspired by the women who could make it in politics, considering the complicated and tense political situation worldwide. Especially, I admire Ursula von der Leyen, who could become – by her power of will, ambitions, and fidelity to her own principles – the most powerful woman of the present world, the President of the European Commission. Also, I deeply admire the fact that besides her career, she is a heroic mother, having raised seven children. That said, this woman has bright and strong intentions for a peaceful and happy future – her motivations are her children, grandchildren, her nation, and all the consistent work and values she promoted and developed through the years.
I never experienced obstacles in my career path, especially due to gender. Quite the opposite – I had been encouraged and welcomed in teams where men predominate because, from what I learned, including women, especially in IT, creates a healthier and beneficial psychological climate in the team.
The most valuable piece of advice I learned from my husband is that consistency plus discipline creates the path.
I have been inspired by many people in my career, both women and men. Surprisingly for me, some of the most lasting inspirations have been from younger female colleagues — at least I have been lucky to work with people who question the status quo, who stand up for themselves, and who do not shy away from being leaders.
I have been fortunate to be in the Nordic environment, which is known for its high level of equality and tolerance. Not obstacles so much as the occasional “being underestimated” – this is easy to overcome if you have mature leaders who trust in you and give you a fair chance.
Give yourself a promotion in the head!
Beetroot Academy Impact Report 2021 is our first consolidated social impact report. In this report, you can learn more about the social impact that we have generated through our activities last year, what we did in order to create that impact, and how all of this is connected to our vision for the future.
Our mission is to help people have great careers in the digital economy. That's why our core activity is to provide practical skills training to help them start a career as tech specialists.
We started with in-person classroom education in Ukraine. Today we operate globally online with live virtual teaching, and we can offer our educational solution to anyone who has the motivation, a computer, and a stable internet connection.
Furthermore, together with our partners, we offer a variety of scholarship opportunities to cover the tuition for students who cannot cover it on their own. This report tells more about our collaborations with international organizations such as Pact, ACTED, UNFPA, and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read life-changing stories from our students to understand more about the power of tech education.
When we started writing this impact report, we could never have imagined the terrible consequences of the Russian invasion in February this year. Up to 13 million Ukrainians have become displaced, and more than 50% lost their jobs.
Right now, our mission is more critical than ever before. To help Ukrainians restore their lives, we have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to provide tech education scholarships for at least 1000 Ukrainians to help them start tech careers.
Teachers are the heart of what we call education. A teacher who knows how to use artificial intelligence effectively is less fatigued, has more time for creativity, and can provide better support to each student. This leads to happier children who experience a more individualized, engaging, and effective learning process. In this way, a school transforms into a space for genuine development for everyone.
Yevhen Kozolup, Course Instructor for the Secondary Education Program
In collaboration with Google and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Beetroot Academy has developed a modern training program for Ukrainian educators, spanning pre-school, secondary education, vocational pre-university education, and higher education.
The program lasted six weeks and covered the entire educational process, from idea conception to implementation. The Beetroot Academy team created educational materials for 16 events, which included online sessions, practical workshops, and Q&A sessions. We focused on course topics, scenarios, presentations, and theoretical guides for participants.
Special attention was given to selecting speakers—practitioners who work daily within the Ukrainian education system and have firsthand knowledge of its workings. All training sessions were conducted with an emphasis on quality, accessibility, and practical benefits for each participant. We made every effort to ensure that the program was not only relevant but also highly applicable, allowing for easy integration into real teaching practices.
The program began with a straightforward approach: participants were introduced to the basic principles of working with artificial intelligence and learned how to formulate their initial queries using Gemini. Gradually, we developed an understanding of how AI can assist teachers, not as a replacement, but as a supportive tool.
In the subsequent stages, educators became proficient with more than ten digital tools and learned how to create comprehensive educational materials, including notes, visual content like graphs and videos, presentations, and interactive tests. Special attention was given to the ethical, safe, and responsible use of AI within the educational environment.
As a result, thousands of Ukrainian teachers are already applying the skills they acquired in their daily work, whether at schools, colleges, or universities. Some of them have even joined the Ukrainian Google Educators Group community, where they continue to grow, share experiences, and support each other in the digital transformation of education.
Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised to see that all the participants were open to gaining new knowledge and eager to change their approach to working with students in the age of artificial intelligence from the very start. However, it was clear that for some of them, AI was a completely new concept; they had only heard about it but had not yet used it. Did this pose a challenge? Not at all! Our classes were conducted in an incredibly productive atmosphere. The participants engaged in real-time tasks, learned how to formulate their own prompts, and explored various AI tools. As a result, everything progressed smoothly. Given their extensive experience with students, by the end of the program, participants were already proposing ideas for integrating AI into their teaching practices.
Yevhen Kozolup, Course Instructor for the Secondary Education Program
In my opinion, the most significant shift during the course was a change in perspective regarding the use of artificial intelligence. At the beginning of the program, the participants' chat rooms were filled with some caution, but as each lecture progressed, more and more participants began experimenting with the tools independently, sharing their discoveries and initial successes. One of their favorite discoveries was Google's NotebookLM, a tool that greatly simplifies working with educational materials. This was especially appreciated by those who had to navigate a large number of new regulations in education, as it made working with texts much faster and more convenient.
Artem Artyukhov, Course Instructor for Pre-Vocational and Higher Education Institutions
We carefully selected our speakers, all of whom possess not only technological expertise but also a deep understanding of the Ukrainian educational landscape. Among them are award-winning experts from the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine, such as Anna Velychko. We also invited Oksana Pasichnyi and Artem Artyukhov, both co-authors of state recommendations for integrating AI into secondary and higher education. Additionally, we included educational specialists who actively implement and teach artificial intelligence to students every day.
Honestly, I was most impressed by how quickly the participants learned and explored the new tools. Especially those who initially said, "I don't know anything about AI." Within just 40 minutes, these same teachers were creating their own apps, generating activities for children, and even discussing the ethical aspects of using technology. It wasn't just training; it was a genuine shift in thinking.
Anna Velychko, Course Instructor for the Preschool Education Program
I was particularly struck by the unique "math" of the course. At first, even our online platform wasn't prepared for the number of teacher participants. Not only did computer science and mathematics teachers join, as expected, but so did specialists in literature, music, and physical education. This broad range of interest and a deep awareness of the need for change in the AI era reaffirmed that Ukrainian teachers are remarkable. They are eager to learn, adapt, and lead others.
Yevhen Kozolup, Course Instructor for the Secondary Education Program
The outcome has been significant. Thousands of educators across Ukraine have received practical tools to make learning more modern, engaging, and effective. We are proud to have played a role in making this journey possible.
Participants in the program have joined the Ukrainian Google Educators Group community. This is a space where educators can exchange experiences, support one another, share ideas and resources, and continue their professional development beyond the course.
We believe that technology should serve the benefit of people. Education is a key area where tools like artificial intelligence can deliver tangible results: saving time, enhancing interaction with students, and introducing new formats for presenting material.
Based on my experience, I can confidently say that the skills educators acquire during the course allow them to spend more time on deeper and more personalized interactions with their students. The educational process will become much more interactive, and the creation and adaptation of materials will be faster and more flexible. Tasks that used to take days or even weeks can now be completed in just a few hours. A teacher who knows how to work with AI is like Tony Stark in his Marvel costume: powerful, efficient, and technologically equipped. I encourage everyone to try on this "suit" and use it to bring about positive changes in their educational or scientific fields.
Artem Artyukhov, Course Instructor for Pre-Vocational and Higher Education Institutions
Mastering artificial intelligence tools provides teachers with not only new opportunities but also enhances their confidence in their abilities. They evolve from being mere users of ready-made solutions to becoming creators of content, ideas, and curricula. This shift significantly reduces routine workloads, saves time, and, most importantly, opens the door to innovation. If we have more educators like this, Ukrainian education will transform into something more modern, flexible, and vibrant. This is precisely what our education system needs today.
Anna Velychko, Course Instructor for the Preschool Education Program
This program was made possible through the cooperation of the Beetroot Academy team (Bohdan Moskalenko, Anastasia Shuplat) with the Google team (Anastasia Barna, Iryna Bishko, Orest Bavda) and the CFC Big Ideas team (Yelyzaveta Lutska, Mykhailo Katz, Polina Dyachenko, Sofia Kohut).
The Beetroot Academy team is dedicated to developing projects that enable people to master advanced digital skills, regardless of their age, profession, or level of training. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Google on this significant initiative and are already planning new projects.
Stay updated by following our news and joining our community. Let's work together to create inspiring and transformative education.
.png)
In 2014, as Russia occupied Donbas, the story of Beetroot Academy began. Unable to stand aside, we established a school to help those who had lost their jobs to learn new skills for the growing digital economy, allowing them to rebuild their lives and support their families. Following February 24, 2022, we redoubled our efforts.
We took action by supporting Ukrainians affected by the war through a fundraising campaign that enabled over 800 students (and counting) to receive scholarships, says Dmytro Olaresko, CEO of Beetroot Academy
.png)
Beetroot Academy differs from the average education provider. As a social enterprise, we primarily focus on creating a lasting social impact. We channel the income into enhancing our educational programs, ensuring they are accessible to a broader audience. Our commitment goes beyond simply offering courses — we provide a holistic educational approach, which begins long before course enrollment and extends well beyond graduation. We believe in equipping our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the tech industry.
.png)
Looking back at all the achievements and impact Beetroot Academy has made throughout 2022, we are reminded of the increasing importance of our mission: “Helping people have great careers in the digital economy.” In these ever-changing times, the digital economy holds the key to resilience and growth for individuals and for Ukraine as a whole.
Now, more than ever, we need partners to join our efforts to ensure everyone has access to the opportunities presented by the digital age. You can join us in making a difference in many ways:
.png)
Beetroot Academy is only one part of the broader Beetroot ecosystem. Building a tech ecosystem is essential for us to implement our sustainability and social impact values. Discover our joint contribution in the Resilience & Impact 2022 Sustainability Report.
.jpeg)
As ever, our goal remains aiding people in building successful careers in the digital economy. We worked to ensure that everyone deserves equal access to professional education and growth, women empowerment, promoting the balance in the IT industry.
Great careers in the digital economy are for everyone, everywhere, period. The modern career trajectory is no longer linear, nor is it defined by a singular academic achievement. The focus has shifted to a blend of hard and soft skills that more accurately represent one’s professional aptitude beyond mere diplomas.
With AI development and its implementation into many life spheres, understanding AI becomes crucial. Considering this, Beetroot Academy added additional lessons to each course:
1. Basics of AI – covers the definition of AI, its operational processes, potential applications, and key tools.
2. Successful job search with AI – guides students on effectively using AI for interview preparation, CV and cover letter enhancement, interview simulation, and job search.
In 2023, Beetroot Academy successfully launched the tutorship program – providing additional support from Academy graduates to students facing challenges during their studies. This initiative aims to enhance overall learning experiences for teachers and students, adjust the balance in groups between all students, and improve professional skills acquired by tutors.
Being a social enterprise, the Academy collaborated with numerous organizations such as UNFPA, PACT, Acted, Doing Good, RECONOMY, Finansova, IOM, and Women Opportunities and provided 700 educational scholarships to the most vulnerable groups. In these categories, it's worth mentioning newer groups such as Ukrainian refugees, veterans, and their relatives.
A word from our graduate
Beetroot Academy students have the possibility to join the alumni community. It has its own private Telegram channel where all participants have access to webinars, consultations, other online or offline events, internship and job openings from Beetroot Academy partners, updates in the IT field, and networking.
We also do our best to conduct offline events and organize different beetups, as we call them.
One of Beetroot Academy's goals is to make IT education accessible to all categories of citizens, including war veterans, their families, and families of fallen Ukrainian defenders.
Beetroot Academy, together with the Beetroot Aid Fund, organized a Project Management course for a separate group of 25 veterans and their families. They started studying in December 2023 and the results of this project will be shared in the impact report 2024.
Our communities in Romania and Moldova had set their roots in the first year of activity with 50+ students & graduates who are not only looking for a new career start but also paying attention to impact.
Now, more than ever, we need partners to join our efforts to ensure everyone has access to the opportunities presented by the digital age. You can join us in making a difference in many ways:
If you are interested in collaborating with us, please contact Beetroot Academy at grants@beetroot.academy. Together, we can bridge the gap and provide equal opportunities for all. Let's shape a future where no one is left behind.
