From art spaces to sports hubs: Mykolaiv schoolchildren received $25,000 for social projects

The winners of the UActive programme were announced in Mykolaiv — five school teams from the region received $5,000 each for social projects: creating public spaces, art venues, hubs for young people and initiatives for veterans. A total of $25,000 was allocated to support the teams.

The programme is being implemented by the savED charitable foundation in cooperation with Spirit of America and Razom for Ukraine. This year, 10 teams from different communities in the Mykolaiv region competed for funding, according to NikVesti.

Before the final, the participants spent 15 weeks learning about project management, community needs analysis, budget planning and presentation preparation. The teenagers developed solutions to local problems, ranging from a lack of safe places to socialise to the need for cultural, sports and psychological spaces.

Among the winners was the team «Prybuzki Dzhmelyky», which will create a social enterprise space called «VV Craft: Dzhmelyky Craft». In the creative room, residents will be able to jointly produce craft products and recharge through creative work, which should help reduce social isolation and strengthen community cohesion.

The Legion team will set up an open space for sports and recreation, where young people will be able to train regularly, hold events, and implement their own initiatives. The space will also be combined with the community's historical heritage to preserve the memory of its past.

The Sofia Active Youth project involves the creation of a multifunctional historical, sports and educational hub based at the lyceum. The space will combine learning, physical activity and the development of local tourism, in particular through water, walking and cycling routes.

The Vilni team will create an art space for young people, where theatre performances and master classes will be held. It is planned as a safe place for communication, creative self-expression and emotional recovery for teenagers.

The «Yenotyky» team is implementing the Unity veteran-youth tourism club. It will bring together young people and veterans through hikes, training, volunteering and joint community initiatives, creating a space for mutual support and experience sharing.

The Activator team received additional support. Its project was funded by OBRIO. In Novyi Buh, a multifunctional street education and relaxation space will be set up with areas for reading, sports, collaborative work and interactive learning, as well as access to light and communication during blackouts.

The UActive programme has been running since 2022 and aims to develop small communities through youth initiatives. During this time, around 500 schoolchildren from the Mykolaiv, Kyiv and Chernihiv regions have joined the programme, and more than 20 youth projects have already been implemented in communities. New initiatives are planned to be implemented in the coming months with the support of mentors and programme partners.