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Study of the Current Needs of the Ukrainian Maker Community

Analytical Report

October-November 2022

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Contents

Study Objectives and Design

1

Summary

2

Current Needs of Ukrainian Makers

3

Engagement in the Life of the Maker Community

4

Perception of ToloCar

5

Profile of Ukrainian Makers

6

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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1. Study Objectives and Design

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Study objectives

Analyze the key needs of Ukrainian makers

1

Assess community engagement and willingness to engage

2

Assess the perception of the ToloCar idea

3

Profile Ukrainian makers

4

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Study design

5

Fieldwork:

October-November 2022

Geography

Ukraine/abroad: cities where Ukrainian makers live

Method

Online interviews based on Maker Hub contact bases

Sample

312 makers participated in the study
A total of 196 completed questionnaires were collected

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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2. Summary

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Summary

Makers' needs

The study participants are already active makers or interested amateurs, to whom the maker movement is a powerful way to attain self-fulfillment: to create, learn, develop, make dreams come true, make the world a better place to live. One in five is a group head, one in ten is a mentor.
The core of makers consists of men under the age of 45, with a higher technical education, who have been engaged in the area for 3+ years, mainly working from home, individually, spending their own savings. At the same time, about a third of the respondents already have some organizational form for their classes, can pay the cost of their activity from the income it brings them.
The key needs that makers have are training and generating new ideas, as well as everything that accompanies this activity – such as searching for consumables, improving the efficiency of their own work, communicating with like-minded people, promoting themselves, searching for funds.
In the next year of 2023, research participants expect that the importance of the business component of making (funding, promotion, creation of business models) will grow – probably, its gradual transformation from a hobby to a way of making money.
The main groups of needs where makers expect assistance are: funding (actually, they expect financial assistance), training, creating business models and promoting themselves (they need consulting support). Access to facilities/tools is necessary primarily when looking for consumables and equipment, training and looking for like-minded people.

Community engagement

Currently, only 12% declare that they are actively involved in the life of the community. Another 68% are interested in being part of the community. The key expected formats of interaction are informal meetings in fablabs, workshops and maker fairs. The interest in social projects is moderate, they are willing to help the Armed Forces in the first place.
Approximately a quarter of current and potential community members are willing to take on the role of local leaders and activists on their own. Up to 40% are ready to volunteer at maker events.

Perception of ToloCar

More than half of the respondents heard about the mobile makerspace. The idea is liked as a whole, more than 70% of respondents would like to visit ToloCar.
Most of all, they like the mobility, targeted nature of assistance, the opportunity to use tools and learn new things.

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3. Current Needs of Ukrainian Makers

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The audience of the study is mainly made up of active makers and interested amateurs. Making to them is creativity, learning, making dreams come true

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How do makers identify themselves?	What does making mean to them?
	Verbatim: "When you are itching to improve something:)" "Life. If I have not crafted anything for a long time, this means I am very likely to be diagnosed with depression during this period" “First of all, it's art. It is a good way to spend my leisure time that makes me happy.” “Creating something useful from something useless.” "The ability to relieve tension from routine work, communication with like-minded people and connoisseurs of handicrafts from around the world, an additional small income."

Active Maker
Interested Amateur
Teacher/head of a group
Event organizer/activist
Mentor for others
Business representative
Journalist/Blogger
Representatives of the authorities
Donor representative
Other

Hobbies, leisure

Creativity, DIY

Improving the existing, the world

Doing something useful, necessary, meeting needs

Development, study, research, search for something new, new experience

Making dreams, desires, fantasies, new ideas come true

Pleasure, delight, joy, happiness

A way of thinking, mindset, lifestyle, philosophy, meditation

DIY approach, activity, doing something, proactivity

Future

Self-expression, self-fulfilment

A way to bring people together,community, communication

Inspiration

Human-technology interaction, help, startup promotion

Freedom, free breathing

Innovative, non-standard solutions, flexibility

Art

Releasing tension

Additional income

Helping the AFU

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=312

Teaching methodology, work organization, innovation

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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The key needs of makers are training and generating ideas. In 2022, there were also important organizational aspects (materials, efficiency, funding) and communication

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What were the needs in 2022?	Sphere of Interest

Training, new skills
Searching for consumables
Organization, efficiency of work
Innovation, idea generation
Networking
Communication, promotion
Search for funding, optimization
Creating a business model
Searching for information, mentoring
Creating training materials
Relocation

3D printing, scanning, modelling
Engineering area
Electronics
Arduino/microcontrollers
Inventing
Robotics
CNC machines
Limited production
Internet of Things/IoT
Handmade
Metalworking
Woodwork
Computer field/Raspberry Pi
Tools
Art
Upcycling/recycling
STEAM education
Growing plants
Makerspace/Hackerspace
Music
Jewellery
Fashion
Other

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=223

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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Most of the needs concern 3D printing (learning to use the technology, materials). The organization of work, first of all, includes automation and processes

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What were the needs in 2022?	Learning, new skills – it's about…
	Searching for consumables – it's about…
	Organization of work – it's about…

Training, new skills
Searching for consumables
Organization, efficiency of work
Innovation, idea generation
Networking
Communication, promotion
Search for funding, optimization
Creating a business model
Searching for information, mentoring
Creating training materials
Relocation

3D modeling and printing

Programming, new libraries

Electronics, microelectronics, radioelectronics, controller

Mechanics

Robotics

Handicrafts

Drawing

Big data, data science

Metalworking

CAD software

New technologies, tools, SW, skills

Improving knowledge, skills

Self-organization, development, training

Process automation

Selling products, works, serial production

Artificial intelligence technologies, IoT

Welding, cutting, painting

Materials and equipment for 3D printing

Electronics, boards, etc.

Raw materials, materials for production in short supply

Suppliers

Like-minded people

Equipment and supplies for the military

Spare parts, components, tools

Power supplies, batteries

Materials and equipment for metalworking

Clay

Materials and equipment for casting

Organization of the workplace, work processes, shelter

Allocating, planing time between projects, work and making balance

Organization of processes, automation

Delegation of processes, hiring of workers

Restoration, launch of production

Updating resources (tools, materials), increasing capacity

Learning to use, development of new tools, technologies, materials

Remote operation, process control, online process mode

Advertising, social media

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=223

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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Innovation concerns new products. Communication is both about searching for like-minded people and events and searching for customers. Financing, first of all, implies attracting external funds

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What were the needs in 2022	Innovation is about…
	Networking is about…
	Communication, promotion is about…
	Finding funding is about…

Training, new skills
Searching for consumables
Organization, efficiency of work
Innovation, idea generation
Networking
Communication, promotion
Search for funding, optimization
Creating a business model
Searching for information, mentoring
Creating training materials
Relocation

Search for new ideas, planning and design

Non-standard solutions to optimize and make the process cheaper

Development, creation of a new product, prototypes

Searching for financial support

Searching for products, materials for production

Searching for opportunities to work, sell

Learning to use new technologies, equipment

Searching for like-minded people, specialists in the field, community

Searching and organization of a hub, events, conferences

Sharing experience, new ideas, expertise, solutions

Routes of communication

Searching for partners, customers

Available SW, equipment, technologies for work, models

Volunteer organizations, assistance for the AFU

Search for new markets and marketplaces, customers

Participation, communication at events and exhibitions

Search for vacancies, opportunities, channels of interaction

Promotion, interaction on professional resources, market spaces

Online communities, communication with like-minded people, partners

Cooperation with NGOs, volunteers, the military

Promotion on social networks, cooperation with bloggers

Presentation of works, products, mailing of samples

Searching for grants, funds, investments, financing

Funds for production, project execution, change of work areas

Funds for the purchase of materials, tools, equipment

Restoration of production, workshops in a new location

Optimization of costs for facilities, processes, materials

Searching for new sales channels, other markets

Funds for the development of production, expansion of staff

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=223

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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Need-related trends: in 2023, more attention is given to processes, innovation, promotion and funds

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Training	Searching for consumables	Organization, efficiency	Innovation, idea generation	Networking	Communication, promotion
Searching for funding	Creating a business model	Information searching	Training materials	Relocation

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=205-223

Plans for 2023

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Map of the basic needs of makers: a distinct increase in the business component

n=205

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Had to do in 2022

Tasks to be solved in 2023

Growing needs

Secondary needs

Ongoing needs

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=205-223

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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Makers mostly need external assistance for training (advice), funding (funds) and promotion/monetization (advice)

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For what needs do they need external assistance?	What kind of assistance?

Search for funding, optimization
Training, new skills
Creating a business model
Communication, promotion
Innovation, idea generation
Networking
Organization, efficiency of work
Searching for consumables
Creating training materials
Searching for information, mentoring
Relocation

n=
67
62
56
51
45
44
37
35

Advice	Info. materials	Financial assistance	Access to facilities
37%	30%	88%	28%
82%	68%	40%	48%
82%	39%	45%	30%
71%	59%	35%	20%
64%	67%	42%	29%
61%	59%	11%	43%
70%	51%	57%	43%
40%	31%	57%	49%

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=205

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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4. Engagement in the Life of the Maker Community

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Demand for joining the maker community is significant. Formats of interest include informal meetings, workshops and maker fairs. There is a moderate interest in social projects

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Participation in the life of the maker community	Interaction formats of interest


Willingness to contribute to social projects?	What social projects are of interest?

Informal meetings in fablabs
Conferences/Workshops
Maker fairs
Offline meet-ups
Online meet-ups
Hackathons
Other
Hard to say / I don't know

Engaged in the community – 12%

Unengaged but want to – 68%

40%

Assistance for the AFU/TDF
Study groups for schoolchildren
Training for those who lost their jobs (war)
Rehabilitation of the military
Restoration of territories
Local integration of refugees/IDPs
Other
Hard to say

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=205

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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A quarter of those engaged/potential community members are willing to organize events on their own/take on the role of leader. Significantly more potential volunteers

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Engaged in the community – 12%

Unengaged but want to – 68%

26%

23%

38%

Participation in the life of the maker community	How willing are they…
	to organize maker events
	take on the role of community leader
	contribute to events as a volunteer

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=205

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5. Perception of ToloCar

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ToloCar activities have reached out to more than half of the respondents, a third are in principle familiar with ToloCar.

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ToloCar – idea description	Reaching out to the maker audience

Yes, I saw it live
Yes, I only saw materials
I heard the name
No, I know nothing about it
Hard to say / I don't know

35%

52%

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=152

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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The idea of ToloCar is really liked, the vast majority are willing to visit the makerspace. They like the mobility and the targeted nature, as well as access to tools and training

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To what extent did you like the idea?	What exactly do you like?
Will they visit Tolocar if it is around?	Verbatim:� "It's like in a sci-fi movie: robots fly out of the car and solve any problem wherever it needs to be solved. But instead of robots, there are good people with cool tools. It’s awesome." "In fact, the very idea of mobile makerspaces, especially for the affected regions, is very useful" "The biggest problem in making/repair is the lack of convenient/necessary tools during work. It would be great to be able to come somewhere where everything is available, and do what you want to do, without trying to figure out what exactly where and for how much you need to buy to use only once." “An opportunity to learn something new, get new ideas, get acquainted with makers, mobility, etc.”

51%

71%

Mobile makerspaces to help where help is needed

Engagement, training and development of young makers, dissemination of the idea of making

Access to equipment and tools in one place

Humanitarian aid to affected regions is in demand

A good, new idea, I was thinking about such a project myself.

Versatility, flexibility, potential delivery to different places

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=152

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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6. Profile of Ukrainian Makers

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Maker profile: mostly men, under the age of 45, with a higher technical education, living in big cities, having jobs – either employed as white collars or self-employed

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Gender	Age	Higher Education	Namely:
Relocation in 2022	City	Working now	Position

Male
Female

20–35
36-45
46+

Information Technology

Electronics and Telecommunications

Manufacturing and Technology

Automation and Instrumentation

Mechanical Engineering

Education

Architecture and Construction

Electrical Engineering

Management and Administration

Natural Sciences

Mathematics and Statistics

Culture and Art

Didn't relocate
Within Ukraine
Abroad
AFU/TDF
Refusal

Kyiv
Lviv
Dnipro
Odesa
Vinnytsia
Ivano-Frankivsk
Kharkiv
Other cities

White collar
Self-employed
Blue collar
Manager/owner
Other

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=196

Masiyenko/Zagryvenko Hub

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How is making done: at home, mostly independently, without any institutionalization, investing their own funds, but a third also invest income from making

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Where	How long	Organisational form
Where	How many people	Making funding

On my own
Group of 2 to 5 people
Group of 6 to 10 people
Group of 11+ persons
Hard to say

Up to 6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 to 2 years
3 to 5 years
6 to 10 years
11+ years
Hard to say

At home – where there is free space
At home – there is a separate workspace
Garage/own small private workshop
Full-fledged own/ rented workshop
Rented specialized facilities
Rented space in a workshop/coworking space
Separate room in state/municipal facilities
Other

70%

Individually (without a legal form)
Individual entrepreneur (FOP)
Educational institution
NGO
LLC
State Enterprise
Startup/Laboratory
Other
Hard to say

Own savings/salaries
Revenues from making
Income from other activities
Grants
Third-party investments
Public funding
Other

Source: Study of the Current Needs of the Maker Community of Ukraine (autumn 2022)

Base: n=221-234

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Email

Telephone

+38 067 405 61 14

ym@mzhub.pro

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