My name is Alex Spaan, founder of Ukraine2Work, a start-up helping Ukrainian refugees in the Netherlands to find work through skills-based matching. My Host, António Menezes, is based in Lisbon and active in entrepreneurship and local networks. I discovered EYE via my business school and saw it as a chance to learn in an international environment. I decided to participate to test how our concept could expand to other EU countries, to learn from a different cultural and business context, and to gain insights into working with institutions such as IEFP and CPR. Expected benefits were learning from my Host’s experience, strengthening my business plan, and exploring opportunities for international cooperation.
During my EYE stay I worked closely with António on developing a strategy for Portugal2Work, the local equivalent of my initiative in the Netherlands. Activities included creating and improving marketing materials, setting up the first website, optimizing SEO/SEA, and experimenting with Google Ads. I supported the NKOOWOORK community manager with branding, flyers and signing new members. Together with António I visited CPR (Portuguese Refugee Council) and later we prepared meetings with IEFP, the Portuguese UWV. We developed a plan to address the mismatch between vacancies and candidates, and even involved a CEO of a large tech company in skills-based matching. The relationship with my Host was open and collaborative, with regular sparring on pricing, marketing and strategy.
The programme gave me valuable insight into international labour markets and the challenges of working with public institutions such as IEFP. I developed skills in stakeholder management, negotiation and adapting to cultural differences in business. I broadened my network by connecting with Portuguese organisations such as CPR and IEFP. Future prospects include setting up Portugal2Work as a concrete project once Ukraine2Work in the Netherlands is more established. The experience also made me more resilient in dealing with bureaucracy and different expectations around timing and agreements. Cooperation with António may continue in the future, especially when scaling our platform internationally.
My Erasmus experience was a unique chance to test my business in an international setting, learn from a different culture, and build valuable connections. It has strengthened my vision for Ukraine2Work and future expansion into Portugal and other EU countries.