About us
Project History
The STEM Education for Future e.V. project originated in Garching following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, when an active Ukrainian community formed in the region. Igor Holod and Elena Tsygunova, co-founders of the association, together with other community members, were involved in organizing humanitarian aid, collecting and delivering essential resources to Ukraine.
In response to the needs of families who found themselves in a new country, an educational center for Ukrainian children in Garching and surrounding areas was established in October 2023. Its main goal was to provide a safe, supportive, and enriching environment that promotes integration, learning, and social adaptation of children.
The first program was a robotics course that brought together children, parents, and educators. During the classes, participants studied the basics of mechanics and programming, developed logical and engineering thinking, teamwork skills, and the ability to solve practical problems.
As the initiative developed, the project expanded significantly. Initially focused on Ukrainian children, it quickly became in demand among families living in Garching and nearby areas, regardless of their background or language. As a result, the center transformed into an open, inclusive educational space for all children in the local community.
Project Development
Throughout 2024, the project developed actively, with programs expanding and the number of participants growing. In addition to robotics, courses in academic drawing and acting were introduced, as well as art therapy sessions conducted with professional psychologists.
In January 2025, project management was transferred to a new team, which continued to develop the center and strengthened its strategic direction.
Today, the project’s operational and strategic management is carried out by the team:
— Serhii Bazadzhyiev, CEO of the project, responsible for strategy, development, and scaling, as well as partnerships and financial sustainability.
— Natalia Poliakova, project administrator, responsible for daily operations, process coordination, and communication with participants and parents.
Educators with international experience are also involved in the educational process. In particular, the project includes a teacher from Ukraine — Viktoriia Hryhorovych, who has successfully integrated into the German educational environment, speaks several languages, and shares valuable pedagogical experience with children. This enables effective work with children of different nationalities, creating a truly intercultural educational environment.
By the end of 2025, the project had brought together around 100 children of primary, middle, and high school age.
The Project Today
Currently, the project’s activities cover key areas such as STEAM education and the development of technical skills, artistic development, language learning, as well as courses on social, communication, personal, financial, and entrepreneurial topics (soft skills).
Courses are offered in German, Ukrainian, and Russian, contributing to social integration, intercultural interaction, and the creation of an accessible, enriching learning and leisure environment for children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Today, the project team continues to develop the KRoK club (which is part of the educational program of the non-profit organization STEM Education for Future e.V.) as a space where children not only spend their free time with interest and enjoyment, but also build a foundation for their future realization in the modern world.