Restoring a Safe Space for Ukrainian Youth

We are pleased to share continued progress on the Restoring a Safe Space for Ukrainian Youth project. Following the successful completion of the first milestone, which focused on restoring the building’s facade, the space has already come back to life. During a recent visit, we saw firsthand how it is now being used on a daily basis, with children and teenagers gathering for activities, events, and simply to spend time together in a safe and welcoming environment. For many young people in the community, this space has already become an important place to reconnect and begin rebuilding a sense of normalcy.

The space is supported and cared for on a daily basis by a dedicated local activist, Lidiia, whose commitment ensures that it remains open, functional, and welcoming. Her involvement reflects strong local ownership and plays a key role in sustaining the space as a living part of the community.

We are now preparing to move into the second stage of the project, which focuses on developing the outdoor area surrounding the building. This will create additional space for activities, communication, and safe recreation. Importantly, this phase will actively involve young people themselves. We are planning collaboration with students specializing in landscape design and spatial planning, who will work together with local youth to co-create ideas for the outdoor space.

In this report, we are also sharing photos that capture the current stage of progress including the newly plastered facade, moments from a recent children’s event held in the space, as well as images of Lidiia, who takes care of the space every day. We are also including photos of the outdoor area, which will become the focus of the next stage of reconstruction.

We will continue to share updates as this next phase begins. Thank you for being part of this process! Your support is helping transform this space into a lasting center for connection, creativity, and youth development.