“Young people are the future of Ukrainian communities,” says Viktoria Rozsudovska. “If we teach them to volunteer and lead today, they will keep these communities alive in the future.”
Viktoria Rozsudovska from Ripky and Viktoria Skorohod from Mena grew up nearly 100 km apart in the Chernihiv region of northern Ukraine. Ripky, a village of 6,000, and Mena, a town with 11,000 residents, face similar challenges to many small towns in Ukraine. The lack of community engagement among youth is a key concern for these towns. With few places for quality leisure or personal development, young people often leave for big cities in search of better prospects, rarely returning.
The Viktorias share more than just a name. Determined to create spaces where young people could connect and contribute to the development of their communities, both young women joined the USAID/ENGAGE-supported initiative, “Active Position of My Region: Through the Eyes of the Children.”
“A youth space is essential for my community,” says Viktoria Skorohod. “It would give people a place to gather, share ideas, take part in informal activities, and just have some fun together.”
USAID/ENGAGE began its partnership with Ukrainian Antiquity in December 2022, becoming the organization’s primary donor. Through mentoring and consultations, ENGAGE strengthened Ukrainian Antiquity’s project management, communication, and fundraising, allowing the CSO to enhance its impact. The support also led to the introduction of crucial policies, including child protection and anti-corruption measures.
With support from USAID/ENGAGE, Ukrainian Antiquity launched the “Active Position of My Region. Through the Eyes of the Children” project in 2023. As part of the initiative, the organization awarded USD 2,700 to six teams of students from grades 8 to 11 to revitalize youth spaces. Beyond financial aid, Ukrainian Antiquity also held training sessions to help youth develop their skills and build the long-term capacity of their projects. The ENGAGE also contributed to the project by offering fundraising advice, which helped to secure extra funding from businesses for youth spaces that initially did not receive financial support.
Viktoria Skorohod and Viktoria Rozsudovska launched renovated youth centers in Mena and Ripky during the summer of 2023. “We received incredible support from local youth, teachers, the Ukrainian Antiquity team, and local authorities,” recalls Viktoria Rozsudovska.
In Ripky, the local community donated stationery, board games, and indoor plants to help furnish the space, while the local government provided a venue and legal support. The renovation was funded through a mix of grant money and local budget contributions, turning the project into a community-driven success.
In Mena, local authorities invested over USD 7,000 to repair and revitalize the space. The center, which can now accommodate up to 40 people at a time, quickly became a hub for the community. It doesn’t only engage more than 7,000 students from grades 1 to 11 in various activities, but also regularly hosts educator meetings, training sessions, and community events, playing a vital role in Mena’s development.
“Youth spaces are more than just walls. Behind these spaces are young leaders who carry their values forward to inspire others to act,” believes Viktoria Skorohod.
A year after the project’s completion, both youth spaces remain vital and dynamic. They receive ongoing financial support from local community funds, ensuring their continued operation and growth.
Despite starting university, Viktoria Rozsudovska remains the leader of the youth space in Ripky. She also has a big ambition to establish a youth civil society organization, aiming to engage an even larger number of young people in developing their community. Viktoria Skorohod also remains actively engaged in community activities. She is mentoring girls involved in Ukrainian Antiquity’s new initiatives, guiding them in developing leadership skills.
“Participation in this project inspired me to integrate activism into my professional life,” believes Viktoria Rozsudovska. “This could become my life’s work.”
Through initiatives like this, USAID/ENGAGE empowers young leaders and supports the revitalization of Ukrainian communities. The success of the youth spaces in Mena and Ripky offers a replicable model for other communities, demonstrating how active youth engagement is crucial for local development. These projects show that even small, community-focused efforts can drive significant and lasting positive change, leading to broader and lasting transformations.
