SUCCESS STORY: Eva, 51 — from floristry to digital construction
Case Study of the BLOOM Program
Before the full-scale war, Eva worked in the creative field — as a florist, stylist, and photo model. She created floral arrangements, engaged in decoration, and took part in artistic projects. However, the war drastically changed her life: Eva had to leave her hometown and move to Kharkiv. Many projects were halted, the market shrank, and she faced the need to seek new opportunities for professional growth and stable income.
Working as a landscaper in her new city, Eva realized that she lacked technical knowledge for further professional advancement — understanding construction processes, measurements, and modern digital tools. To expand her opportunities, she applied to the BLOOM Program (Building Livelihoods and Opportunities for Optimised Markets), enrolling in the course “Building the Future: Innovative Construction for a New Ukraine” to master modern construction technologies and digital working methods.
Eva quickly became one of the most active participants in the course. She eagerly took on practical tasks, worked with professional tools, and persistently studied new topics. With the support of the BLOOM consortium — Swisscontact, Mercy Corps, International Rescue Committee (IRC), and Right to Protection (R2P) — together with local partners GERZ Construction Association LLC and the Educational Alliance for Ukraine (EAUA), Eva was able to immediately apply her newly acquired knowledge in her work.
Today, she uses more precise measuring instruments in landscaping projects, has a better understanding of structures and installation principles, and can contribute to more complex projects. The application of digital approaches to spatial planning has increased her competitiveness in the labor market and opened new opportunities for professional development.
Training helped Eva transform her career trajectory — from a purely creative specialization to a combination of design, technical solutions, and construction skills. This broadens her opportunities to increase income and participate in larger-scale projects.
Looking ahead, Eva dreams of creating her own brand that combines landscape architecture, environmental design, and modern technologies. She aspires to contribute to the restoration of urban spaces and to design projects that unite aesthetics with functionality.
“The project gave me confidence in myself. I realized that I can master a new profession and move forward in design. I have always created beauty, but for a landscape designer it is important not only to feel it, but also to understand how everything should be built correctly. Now I have this knowledge, and I want to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but also functional and durable,” — says Eva.
Eva during a practical lesson in construction work.
Eva (center) at the graduation day.
Eva after completing a practical task in the training module. (Caption for a third photo, if applicable)