Unity, Resilience and a Shared Purpose: Fostering Team Spirit Amid iMMAP Inc. Ukraine’s Rapid Growth

Now in its third year of pivotal projects, iMMAP Inc. Ukraine continues to evolve and grow. As the team expands, we are focused on building a collaborative environment, integrating new team members, and strengthening teamwork across our operations in Ukraine.

Amid a whirlwind of expansion and crucial projects, iMMAP Inc. Ukraine is writing a new chapter in its organizational story – one of unity, resilience, and shared purpose. Over the past year, the Ukraine team has nearly doubled in size, welcoming a diverse group of talented professionals to support its mission. But with rapid growth comes a unique set of challenges: How do you maintain a tight-knit team culture when new faces are constantly joining? How do you foster collaboration and connection across different locations and departments?

An iMMAP Inc. Ukraine Team Photo. Photo: ©iMMAP Inc. Ukraine/Valentyna Kolesnyk

Acknowledging the Significance of Team Cohesion 

Recognizing the importance of maintaining team cohesion during rapid growth, iMMAP Inc. Ukraine is focused on fostering a strong and collaborative team dynamic. The organization is committed to cultivating a work environment that encourages collaboration, supports the seamless onboarding of new employees, and strengthens effective cooperation across all projects and initiatives.

A standout example of iMMAP Inc. Ukraine's commitment to team unity was the Onboarding and Team-Building Workshop held in Kyiv in November 2024. This event, collaboratively organized by the Capacity Building, HR, and Operations teams, brought together staff from across Ukraine—including team members from Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv—to connect, learn, and grow as a cohesive unit. International colleagues also participated virtually, ensuring a truly inclusive experience.

The workshop had two key objectives: to ensure a seamless integration for new team members and to deepen the bonds among existing staff.

Viktoriia Mamalyha, an Information Management (IM) Officer based in Odesa, joined iMMAP Inc. with high expectations after receiving glowing feedback about the organization during her work with other humanitarian organizations. Reflecting on her experience, she shared, "I was thrilled to become part of such a respected organization."

Viktoriia is one of 12 new team members who joined iMMAP Inc. Ukraine this fall, contributing to two flagship projects: Provision of Information Management Support to Ukraine Crisis Response Clusters and Third Party Monitoring (TPM) of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) Clearance in Ukraine.

Both projects, launched in the spring and fall of 2022, have grown significantly. The Information Management (IM) Cluster Support project now boasts a team of 24 IM Officers, developers, and a capacity-building unit, stationed in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. These teams, supported by international staff, provide dedicated IM and system development support to six clusters, two sub-clusters, multiple Technical Working Groups (TWGs), and numerous cluster partners.

Meanwhile, the TPM project has expanded to include eight team members who monitor and verify mine action activities across central, eastern, and southern Ukraine, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of clearance operations. Together, these efforts exemplify iMMAP Inc.'s commitment to supporting Ukraine's humanitarian response with expertise and innovation.

Today, iMMAP Inc. Ukraine proudly consists of a team of 45 dedicated professionals, including office staff, united in their mission to support humanitarian efforts. This rapid growth is a clear reflection of the organization’s expanding impact, but it also presents challenges in fostering strong team connections and creating a deeply collaborative work environment.

Overcoming Distance to Build Connections

For Viktoriia Mamalyha, based in Odesa, building connections with her colleagues presented unique challenges.“I am based in Odesa – not in the central office in Kyiv," she explains. “Although I completed all the onboarding procedures and induction meetings after joining iMMAP Inc., most of these were online. As a result, I hadn’t met many of my colleagues in person, and I also lacked a thorough understanding of how the organization operates and what the team looks like.”

Creating Bonds and Building Understanding

Throughout the event, participants showcased their departments' work and engaged in practical exercises to deepen their understanding of the organization’s operations. A highlight of the learning experience was exploring Tuckman’s model of group development, which provided insights into how teams evolve through different stages and how individuals can actively contribute to these transitions.

To create a more personal and engaging atmosphere, the workshop included a variety of relationship-building activities. A standout example was the "speed-friending" game, which encouraged colleagues to look beyond their professional roles and connect as individuals, sharing their unique personalities and stories.

Photos from the Onboarding and Team-Building Workshop held in Kyiv in November 2024. Photos: ©iMMAP Inc. Ukraine/Valentyna Kolesnyk

For Viktoriia, the workshop was both enlightening and inspiring. “Now I have a clearer understanding of the organization as a whole, how my work aligns with iMMAP’s activities, and the impact I contribute to,” she reflects. “But the most meaningful part for me was meeting my colleagues in person. I now feel a genuine sense of belonging to the team, which motivates me even more in my work.”

As iMMAP Inc. Ukraine continues to expand, initiatives like this workshop play a vital role in fostering collaboration and sustaining a unified team spirit. By ensuring everyone feels connected and inspired, these efforts empower the team to drive the organization’s impactful work forward.