---
title: "Metinvest receives Resilience Mark 2026 award for systematic veteran reintegration program"
description: "Metinvest Group has received the Resilience Mark 2026 award for its systematic veteran reintegration program, which includes medical rehabilitation, psychological support, and professional adaptation. The company accounts for about one-third of veterans returning to big business."
date: 2026-11-03T14:11:45.283Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/metinvest-resilience-mark-2026-veteran-program
tags: [metinvest, veterans, resilience-mark, reintegration, ukraine-business, corporate-social-responsibility]
author: "Darya Fomina"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Metinvest receives Resilience Mark 2026 award for systematic veteran reintegration program

![Worker in a protective mask performing welding work with sparks at a metal plant](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/03/metinvest-resilience-mark-2026-veteran-program/metinvest-resilience-mark-2026-veteran-program-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Metinvest received the Resilience Mark 2026 award for its veteran policy and systematic support for employees returning from military service
- The reintegration ecosystem has been developing since 2023 based on experience since 2014 and includes medical, psychological, and professional support
- The "Free Waves" program, based on Olympian Denys Sylantyev's methodology, unites veterans from Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianske
- Metinvest accounts for approximately one-third of veterans who have returned to work at large Ukrainian enterprises

Rinat Akhmetov's Metinvest Group has been honored with the Resilience Mark 2026 award, a prestigious Ukrainian recognition presented to companies for business resilience practices during wartime. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing a statement from Metinvest itself, the award was granted specifically for its veteran policy and systematic support for employees returning from military service to civilian and professional life. The accolade confirms that the company's approaches yield proven results and can serve as a benchmark for other enterprises.

### From accumulated experience to a systematic ecosystem

Metinvest's systematic ecosystem for veteran reintegration began taking shape in 2023, drawing on experience accumulated since 2014. To determine program priorities, Metinvest conducted an internal survey among veteran employees who had already returned to work, while simultaneously analyzing the results of national studies involving military personnel, demobilized soldiers, and their families. This analytical approach allowed the program to be built not from the top down, but based on the real demands of the target audience.

### Health as a priority: from health insurance to "Free Waves"

One of the primary requests from veterans identified during the survey was the restoration of physical and mental health. In response, Metinvest expanded its health insurance package and launched veteran camps combining spa treatment, physical rehabilitation, and psychological support. A separate initiative is the "Free Waves" program—rehabilitation through swimming using the methodology of Olympian Denys Sylantyev. Notably, the program has welcomed not only Metinvest veterans but also defenders from Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianske, turning a corporate project into a citywide initiative.

### Psychological support and adaptation to civilian life

Beyond physical rehabilitation, the company develops psychological support in two formats: offline meetings with specialists and peer-to-peer communication where veterans share experiences among fellow servicemen. Another block of the program is dedicated to professional and social adaptation: Metinvest conducts training for labor collectives to prepare colleagues for the return of veterans, while helping defenders restore professional skills and adapt to civilian life. According to Svitlana Parova, head of veteran reintegration projects, the company continues to improve the program based on feedback from veterans themselves and supports veteran communities.

### Scale and recognition: one-third of big business veterans

Metinvest has repeatedly been named Ukraine's best employer, and statistics confirm this: the company accounts for about one-third of veterans who have returned to work at large enterprises. In addition, the company's university, Metinvest Polytechnic, offers veterans preferential admission to promising engineering specialties—without entrance exams, based solely on an interview. "None of us will ever be the same as before the war. Veterans change after service too. Our task is to understand each other and take a step toward one another," emphasizes Svitlana Parova, noting that the Resilience Mark 2026 award confirms the correctness of the chosen path.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Поддержка на всех этапах: ветеранскую программу "Метинвеста" наградили Resilence mark 2026](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pidtrimka-vsih-etapah-veteransku-programu-1793714275.html) - The primary source contains all key facts: the presentation of the award, program description, Svitlana Parova's quote, statistics on the share of veterans in big business, and information about Metinvest Polytechnic.

## FAQ

### What is the Resilience Mark 2026?

The Resilience Mark is an award given to Ukrainian teams for business resilience practices during wartime that have proven results and serve as an example for other companies.

### When did Metinvest start forming its veteran reintegration program?

The systematic reintegration ecosystem began forming in 2023, building on experience accumulated since 2014.

### What does the "Free Waves" program include?

It is a swimming rehabilitation program based on the methodology of Olympian Denys Sylantyev, joining Metinvest veterans and defenders from Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianske.

### What benefits does Metinvest Polytechnic offer to veterans?

The university offers veterans preferential admission to promising engineering specialties without entrance exams, based solely on interview results.