Yuliya has a deep understanding of organisational processes and takes an empathetic, very human approach. It wasn’t just a ‘scheduled mentoring session’ – it was a genuine dialogue, where she listened to our needs, recognised our potential and provided exactly the right support where it was needed. Working with Yuliya was never formal – it was all about genuine engagement and professional respect.

She generously shared practical and effective methods for monitoring the activities of civil society organisations, tools for motivating the team, approaches to a clear and effective division of roles, as well as her own insights on how to identify, support and sustain motivation within the team.

What I found particularly valuable was that Yuliya didn’t just offer ‘textbook’ advice, but shared her own genuine, tried-and-tested ‘insider tips’ for effective leadership. Throughout, she consistently kept the focus on preventing burnout – both for the leader and the team as a whole. 

Thanks to my mentoring with Yuliya, I managed to: clearly set priorities, identify clear and realistic paths for the team’s development, gain a better understanding of my own leadership roles and areas for personal growth, and get answers to hundreds of questions – even the very unusual and ‘strange’ ones. I wholeheartedly and sincerely recommend that every female community leader in Ukraine – and beyond – do everything they can to secure a mentoring placement with Yuliya Sporysh. It’s about support, clarity, strength, development and belief in yourself and your cause. Yuliya is a mentor who truly empowers!

I also gained practical tools for improving project design and ensuring accountability, inclusion and the “do no harm” principle in partnership interventions. The programme increased my confidence and effectiveness as a crisis leader working alongside partners in complex humanitarian contexts.

Importantly, during our sessions, I learned to work with what is happening here and now instead of getting stuck in constant overthinking—which is a particular “talent” of mine. As a result, there is far less anxiety and mental noise, while I have gained a sense of calm, found my own pace and become more confident that I can move forward. It was great to see the impact of our work immediately. For me, our collaboration has been about both professional growth and inner transformation.