Stella Maris has announced the launch of a financial resilience training programme for the Ukrainian seafarers and their families. The course will cover the basics of personal finance, future financial planning, managing income, expenses and savings, and a guide to pensions.
With the potential to financially empower 150,000 Ukrainian people in the maritime sector including their families, the programme is part-funded (50%) by Stella Maris UK. It will be delivered by Stella Maris Ukraine in partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Business Incubator Group Ukraine, and others.
Ukrainian seafarers and their families have suffered significant deteriorations in their financial situations because of the war, either while at sea, or ashore at home, or in a second country as refugees. The upheaval and the associated additional living costs – and the loss of income caused by the war – have all put significant financial pressure on seafarers and their families. This has also added to their stress, impacting their mental wellbeing.
With this in mind, Stella Maris Ukraine has in the last year, taken the lead in restoring the country’s maritime environment as a unified sector. It creates a safe and trustworthy space for all people of the sea – from seafarers arriving at the port of Odesa under the sound of sirens and missile strikes – to the families of fallen and captured military personnel.
Stella Maris UK CEO Tim Hill said, “Through the financial resilience programme, Stella Maris Ukraine will offer Ukrainian seafarers a set of online courses to better manage their finances, in the context of their unique position caused by the war. The course is also seen as a first step in ‘rebuilding after the war’, by ensuring that seafarers are equipped with the skills necessary to respond when peace returns.”
“Focusing on post conflict skills is a powerful way to encourage seafarers and their families to engage in other training and activities by giving them hope of a brighter future,” he added.
Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy of Stella Maris Ukraine, said that this programme will not only equip participants with financial skills, but also give their morale and confidence a boost looking ahead to the future.
In addition to this financial literacy programme, Stella Maris Ukraine is implementing a range of projects including mental and financial support for sailors, and assistance to families.
