Recent testimonies of successful business networking - Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme
This is merely a selection of our success stories.
Want to see more testimonies? Use our search function »
Vladyslav Shliakhov (Ukraine)
Age: 18
Company name: (Start-up)
Sector of activity: Furniture, domestic appliances and cleaning products
Tomasz Grajek (Poland)
Age: 52
Company name: Meble Grajek (https://meblegrajek.com.pl/) (31 years of experience)
Sector of activity: Furniture, domestic appliances and cleaning products
Period of exchange: 07/2025 until 08/2025
Duration of exchange: 1,5 month
Results and benefits
Mr. Tomasz Grajek a Polish entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in woodworking and furniture production and Mr. Vladyslav Shliakhov a young aspiring entrepreneur from Ukraine met through the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme. Tomasz saw the exchange as a chance to share his craftsmanship and business know-how while gaining fresh perspectives particularly in design and digital trends. Vladyslav displaced by the war in Ukraine joined the programme to prepare for launching a furniture business that could provide affordable products and jobs in his home country. Their collaboration aimed to combine Tomasz’s long-standing expertise with Vladyslav’s motivation to learn expecting mutual benefits: practical training mentorship and insights into both the Polish and Ukrainian markets
During the exchange Vladyslav actively engaged in the daily operations of Tomasz Grajek’s carpentry workshop. He supported order processing entering client requests into Subiekt GT preparing technical drawings in AutoCAD and archiving documentation. He monitored stock levels assisted in material selection and practiced dimensioning parts for production. Under Tomasz’s guidance he gained hands-on experience with a milling machine/router and successfully carried out a full project - from designing to assembling a juggling cube. Beyond technical tasks the entrepreneurs exchanged insights on Polish and Ukrainian furniture markets and customer preferences creating valuable cultural and business learning. The relationship was built on close collaboration combining structured mentoring with practical training which fostered trust knowledge sharing and ideas for future cooperation.
The exchange brought clear benefits for both entrepreneurs. Vladyslav developed practical skills in workshop organization order management CAD design inventory control and basic machine operation leaving with greater confidence to launch his own carpentry business in Ukraine. He also gained valuable insights into quality standards and customer service in a professional European workshop. Tomasz in turn benefited from Vladyslav’s fresh perspective and ideas for workflow improvement as well as a deeper understanding of the Ukrainian market and its post-war needs. Their collaboration laid the foundation for long-term contact with prospects of future partnerships such as subcontracting or joint ventures while strengthening Tomasz’s role as an international mentor and creating new opportunities for cross-border cooperation
For more information, please contact the local contact points involved in the exchange:
New entrepreneur's contact point:
LLC "CIVITTA UKRAINE" (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Host entrepreneur's contact point:
FUNDACJA UNIWERSYTETU IM ADAMA MICKIEWICZA W POZNANIU (Poznan, Poland)
« Back to the overview
