The Lviv Furniture Cluster continues to support initiatives aimed at developing vocational education, promoting manufacturing professions, and engaging young people in the modern furniture industry. That is why we joined the organization of the WOOD CIRCULAR 2050 Hackathon for Future Furniture Makers and invited students from specialized educational institutions across the Lviv region, as well as representatives of Cluster member companies, to participate.
The event was held within the framework of the SKYLA Interreg Europe project during the Woodworking Exhibition and brought together representatives of businesses, vocational education institutions, the public sector, and young people interested in design, woodworking, furniture manufacturing, sustainability, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The hackathon focused on the circular economy, upcycling, digital technologies, and future professions in the woodworking and furniture industries. The organizers aimed to demonstrate that modern manufacturing is not only about working with materials but also about creativity, innovation, digital tools, and responsible resource management.
More than twenty students from vocational education institutions formed four teams and worked on developing their own product concepts. Each team received a set of materials that would normally be considered production leftovers and was challenged to create a new product with added value.
The results exceeded expectations. The participants demonstrated remarkable creativity by transforming leftover materials into chairs, artworks, decorative elements, interior accessories, organizers, and kitchen utensils. Each team presented its own vision of how circular economy principles can be applied in real manufacturing processes.
Another important stage of the hackathon was the visualization of ideas using artificial intelligence tools. Participants transformed their concepts into digital models and presentations while also sharing their vision of the future of the furniture industry—from modernizing educational processes to implementing advanced technologies in manufacturing.
During discussions, participants proposed several ideas on how to make manufacturing professions more attractive to younger generations.
"We should communicate more about career opportunities in companies through social media."
"Young people value flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth."
"We would like to see more workshops organized by employers so that students can experience real manufacturing environments and modern working conditions."
"It is important to show that working with wood can be creative, innovative, and technology-driven."
Participants also devoted significant attention to identifying barriers and exploring new opportunities for promoting vocational education in the Lviv region. Discussions focused on circular economy principles, the development of upcycling practices, manufacturing digitalization, and the new competencies that are already shaping today's labor market.
Mariiana Bas-Yurchyshyn, Deputy Director of the Regional Development Agency of Lviv Region, shared project insights and European experience gained through the SKYLA initiative.
"The twin transition—digital and green—is not a distant concept from textbooks. It is a reality we are already working with today. Our students are also part of this transition, learning to think globally and act locally for the benefit of their communities."
She also emphasized that the main value of the event was not competition between teams.
"A hackathon is not a competition. It is, above all, a platform for generating ideas, searching for solutions, and looking at familiar things from a new perspective."
An important part of the program featured presentations from furniture industry representatives. Oksana Straz, Development Director of FIX Union and one of the driving forces behind the development of the Lviv Furniture Cluster, introduced participants to the complete lifecycle of modern urban furniture—from design and manufacturing to installation and integration into public spaces. Participants had the opportunity to see how an idea evolves from a technical drawing into a finished product that transforms urban environments.
Direct interaction with industry professionals made a particularly strong impression on the participants. Taras Levytskyi, Director and Co-founder of the Social Workshop "WoodLuck", and Taras Prystupa, CEO of Furniture Park, who served as members of the hackathon jury, invited participants to visit their companies and undertake internships.
Taras Levytskyi also encouraged participants to think boldly and creatively:
"Bring your ideas. Even if they seem too ambitious or unconventional. We are ready to help create a prototype of even the craziest idea and test how it can work in real life."
Experts and mentors highlighted the high level of preparation demonstrated by the teams, their engagement, and the quality of their solutions. Business representatives were impressed by the participants' willingness to experiment, work with new technologies, and seek innovative approaches to industry development.
A special highlight of the event was the creative gifts prepared by Taras Levytskyi and WoodLuck—wooden phone stands made from leftover materials. These gifts served as an excellent example of how upcycling and responsible manufacturing can work in practice, giving a second life to materials that might otherwise have gone unused.
WOOD CIRCULAR 2050 became a vivid example of effective cooperation between education, business, and the public sector. Initiatives like this help young people view vocational education as a promising pathway for turning ideas into reality, driving innovation, and building successful careers in the modern furniture industry.
We sincerely thank all partners, participants, and experts for their support, active involvement, and valuable contribution to developing young talent and promoting vocational education. Together, we are building a sustainable future for the Lviv region.
The event was organized with the support of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, the Regional Development Agency of Lviv Region, the Department of Education and Science of the Lviv Regional Administration, Lviv Vocational College of Beauty and Fashion Industry, the Professional College of Technology of the Ukrainian National Forestry University, Lviv Vocational College of Applied Arts and Design, and within the framework of the international SKYLA Interreg Europe project.
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