From September 2024 through March 2025, and then on an annual basis thereafter, we will run a comprehensive mentorship program and microgrant program for young Ukrainian photographers, focusing on developing highquality photographic education in Ukraine, building a professional community, and fostering dialogue between authors of different generations.
The program will include four mentorship courses and a final competition for participants. After that, we will provide financial support of €8,000 to Ukrainian photographers who will create projects related to the theme of war. First and foremost, we will support authors who do not have ongoing access to equipment and resources, giving them an additional opportunity to continue their work.
About mentorship
Mentorship is a source of practical knowledge, ongoing support, and a personal approach. From our own experience, we know that young photographers need comprehensive feedback, to stay in touch with colleagues in the field, and to receive recommendations, support, and motivation from someone with expertise.
Each of our mentors is a practitioner with extensive experience and a distinct specialization. The mentorship is designed to help you grow and take the next steps in your profession.
Time during group meetings is shared among all participants. The mentor will review the work, provide feedback, and offer recommendations for each participant’s further development on an individual basis. In the group, you will be able to exchange thoughts with your peers and learn from their experience.
The mentor will focus on the questions that are most relevant to you—whether it’s finding a topic, shaping and working on longterm projects, or practical recommendations for working with images, your positioning, and your career. The mentorship will help you focus, review what you have done so far, and define your next steps, while regular discussions will provide a powerful stimulus.
What you will receive:
• Work analysis and portfolio review
• Mentorship in developing your own topics and projects
• Building and structuring a series or project; selecting photographs
• Support in pitching projects to the media
• Critique sessions and discussions in a comfortable environment
• Direct communication with the mentor
• Publication of your project on UAPP pages
• Opportunity for eight participants to win a €1,000 grant to create documentary projects
What format?
Online meetings on Zoom. Sessions take place once a week in a group of 5 to 8 people.
Mentors will be:
Andriy Dubchak
Serhiy Korovaynyy
Yuliia Kochetova
Ivan Chernichkin
How long?
The mentorship program lasts 2 months. After that, participants can submit documentary project ideas to the microgrant program, which lasts 2 months. We will share the detailed timeline later in upcoming posts.
How to participate?
You can apply to participate via this link.
What does it cost?
The mentorship and microgrant program are supported by work.ua and the International Press Institute, which makes participation free of charge.
