Forging Dreams: IOM Supports a Family-run Blacksmith Shop in Boryslav

Boryslav, Lviv region — In the small town of Boryslav in Western Ukraine, a small blacksmith shop stands as a testament to resilience and family bonds. Leonid and his two sons, Andrii and Mykhailo, have been running their blacksmith shop for a few years now, starting small but quickly realizing the potential of their family-run business. With the ambition to grow from a craftsmanship-based business to a more automated one, they applied and received a grant from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) that allowed them to purchase new equipment necessary for automating their work.  

Leonid, a former lawyer and a veteran who single-handedly raised his two sons after the loss of their mother, instilled in them a deep sense of dedication and craftsmanship. The trio's blacksmith shop, nestled in the heart of the community, has been serving the people of Boryslav, Truskavets, Drohobych, and neighbouring areas with skillfully crafted metal fences, balconies, doors and sculptures for public spaces. However, their dreams extended beyond the boundaries of their current reach, as they harbored ambitious plans for expansion. 

“Since he was a child, my son, Mykhailo, has been passionate about blacksmithing. He gave us the idea of starting a blacksmith shop, it all began in our garage with a few basic tools,” Leonid recalls. “Now our craftsmanship speaks for itself and the number of customers continues to grow.” 

“Throughout my life, I've changed many jobs, but blacksmithing is my favorite. Transforming a simple piece of iron in my hands into something beautiful provides me with a profound sense of satisfaction. My goal is that we will grow both commercially and artistically in the future, producing more sculptures,” Mykhailo shares his plans. 

With the support of IOM's SME Boost Programme, the family was able to acquire the essential equipment that proved to be a game-changer for their business. The grant enabled them to invest in a metal-cutting band saw and a numerical control device – a computer-operated tool used to control various machining operations. This technology, driven by coded programmed instructions, allows them to transform raw metal into precise shapes without constant manual intervention. These acquisitions automated previously time-consuming processes, enhancing both efficiency and cost-effectiveness for the family-run operation. 

“With the new equipment, we can produce more quickly and precisely. We can now complete tasks that used to take us up to 30 minutes by simply pressing a few buttons. This optimizes our time and resources,” Leonid explains.   

Mykhailo, the creative mind behind the craftsmanship, found his artistic abilities amplified by the newfound efficiency in production; and Andrii, responsible for client-oriented aspects of the business, says he expects the efficiency of the tools to help meet the deadlines more promptly, thanks to streamlined processes. Meanwhile, Leonid, managing the administrative side of the business, says the new equipment will help the family-run enterprise to focus more on strategic planning and expansion. 

Leonid's journey extends beyond the realm of entrepreneurship. In 2014, amid the war in Donbas, Leonid left his job as a lawyer to join a volunteer battalion, where he served until 2016. When the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, he re-enlisted in the army, but his health issues led to a shorter duration of service. Now back in Boryslav, Leonid is reintegrating into civilian life and is active in his community. As a veteran, he also participated in IOM's "Path of Resilience" programme, tailored for veterans and their families reintegrating into civilian life. Through this initiative, he received training that not only strengthened his desire to stay active in his community but also equipped him with the tools to assist other veterans in reintegrating into civilian life: 

“Returning to civilian life is challenging, so those who have walked the same path should support veterans since we speak the same language. I received a certificate in September, and I will soon be leading the first veteran assistance office in Lviv region. While I am helping others, I feel alive.” 

To those veterans who feel lost, Leonid also has a piece of advice: “Whatever happens, don't give up. Be inspired by the example of others, seek help and always lend a hand, because kindness always comes full circle.” 

IOM's SME Boost Programme serves to support micro and small businesses seeking to overcome obstacles, foster entrepreneurship and invest in sustainable community development. The Programme is made possible with the financial support of the German KfW bank. The “Path of Resilience” Programme for veterans is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.