Due to a long past history of Russian regime over Ukraine, a large percentage of people in Ukraine speak only Russian, even though Ukrainian is the official language. In 2000-2001, for the first time in the history of Ukraine, the First International Ukrainian Language Competition was launched, thanks to the initiative and work of the Ukrainian-Canadian philanthropist, Peter Jacyk, The Petro Jacyk Education Foundation, The League of Ukrainian Philanthropists and The Ministry of Education of Ukraine. The goal of the Competition was to awaken, embrace and deepen the knowledge and usage of the Ukrainian language among the children as well as elevate its status in Ukraine and in the world.

This unique Competition was established through the efforts of the organizing committees in Toronto and in Ukraine, as well as the contributions of our committed donors and sponsors. Hundreds of monetary prizes were awarded with each being a Named Prize in recognition of its donor.

For six years, 2000-2006, the Petro Jacyk Education Foundation helped its partners in Ukraine to establish a system and to develop a process of running the Competition. During this time the Foundation was financially responsible for the Competition. In 2006 it was decided that the Ukraine based partners were strong and experienced enough to take on the full responsibility for the Ukrainian Language Competition and the Petro Jacyk Education Foundation relinquished its financial commitment.

The national language Competetition continues today.

The mission consisted of a Canadian medical team of more than 20 professionals comprised entirely of surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses who volunteered their time. The team of professionals, assembled from across Canada, travelled to Ukraine to conduct a Master Class for Ukrainian Military surgeons and to perform reconstructive surgeries treating facial and upper extremity trauma, post-traumatic craniofacial deformities, soft tissue defects, and scars on victims of war. This mission also focused on establishing learning relationships between the Canadian medical professionals and their Ukrainian counterparts.

The Ontario Heritage Foundation's mandate is to preserve, protect, and promote Ontario's diverse heritage. The Petro Jacyk Education Foundation's grant, contributed in 1992, covered the costs of the full restoration of the Oval Boardroom at 10 Adelaide Street East, Toronto.

Since 1995, The Petro Jacyk Education Foundation has been an annual sponsor of the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival in Toronto, Ontario which promotes Ukrainian heritage.

Among the first Ukrainian groups to have received financial assistance from Peter Jacyk were Brazilian schools and orphanages with a Ukrainian link. Support was given for a Cultural and Religious Centre for Brazilian-Ukrainian Youth in Curitiba, Parana, the Seminary of St. Josephat and St. Olga’s Orphanage in Prudentopolis, Parana. Donations were also provided for the needs of the Eparchy and orphanage, for a period of over twenty years.

In 2006, the Petro Jacyk Education Foundation contributed to the fundraising campaign of the Ukrainian community in Victoria to continue Ukrainian studies at the University of Victoria. The endowment ensured further funding of the course on modern Ukraine, a student scholarship for the top ranking student in the class as well as funding for a visiting lecturer on Ukrainian topics.

Petro Jacyk Ukrainian Studies Unit at the School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies

The Petro Jacyk Education Foundation provided seed money in 1991 to establish the lectureship in Ukrainian Studies, which evolved into a program funded by the University of London. In 1995, the lectureship received the prestigious British Telecom Award in recognition of its “development of British presence in Eastern Europe.”

A 1993 grant permitted the university to expand its Ukrainian studies postgraduate and research program to the undergraduate level as part of its contemporary European studies program.