Through the Talents for Ukraine grant program, the KSE Foundation supports Ukrainians who, through their talent and work, are changing the country. This week’s winners include a prototyping engineer, an archaeologist who studies cities and underground heritage sites, and a composer working at the intersection of music and technology.
Artem Synytsyn leads the Kyiv hackerspace NU31, where he designs and coordinates hands-on educational programs for engineers. He initiated a series of courses on STM32, KiCad, LTspice, soldering, and embedded development, teaching participants to create real prototypes and solve engineering problems. Under his leadership, NU31 has become a hub of innovation, providing practical skills for Ukraine’s technological advancement and defense needs, while also fostering early-stage startups and engineering projects. Artem combines engineering expertise, educational work, and the development of the maker community.
“You cannot control everything. Learning to live with uncertainty and maintain a clear mind in stressful situations is a lesson that lasts a lifetime,” Artem comments.
Pavlo Nechytailo is an archaeologist and researcher of historical cities from the 13th–19th centuries and underground heritage sites. He has discovered dozens of previously unknown rock carvings in the Dniester basin and documented unique cave complexes. During excavations in Polonne, he uncovered the first lead charter of the 12th century in Ukraine.Pavlo leads expeditions and introduces objects into academic circulation, which receive protected status and are added to museum collections. He popularizes archaeology through lectures, podcasts, and publications. His work combines field research, analytical study, and public outreach, shaping a new understanding of Ukraine’s historical landscape.
“I never hide my strengths and always share them,” Pavlo emphasizes.
Yana Shliabanska is a composer who has created music for 30 artistic projects in 15 countries. She works at the intersection of music, theatre, performance, and sound art, combining authorship, curatorial practice, and stage work. Yana completed an internship at IRCAM, where she explored contemporary music technologies.
She is currently developing an original instrument from her grandmother’s sewing machine — an object of memory designed to «stitch» sound as if it were matter, forming the basis for new interdisciplinary projects and live performances. This project brings together personal history, engineering, and a new musical language.
“A person’s path seems full of problems at first glance. In reality, most of them are tasks or opportunities,” Yana notes.
More about the Talents For Ukraine winners
