In war-torn Ukraine, many rural teenagers spend winters isolated, anxious, and without access to safe spaces or quality education. At Zminotvortsi (Changemakers) Winter Camp, rural youth find hope, friends, and the tools to thrive. For five days in the Carpathian Mountains, they learn from mentors, connect with peers from across Ukraine, and discover how they can shape their futures. Your support can turn their winter into a life-changing experience for Ukraine's next generation of leaders.
Ukraine's rural youth face struggles that have worsened since Russia's full-scale invasion. According to PISA, rural students are 4.5 years behind their urban peers. With air-raid sirens and constant online learning, many teens lack safe places to connect. Additionally, stress and limited support leave teenagers vulnerable to hopelessness and disengagement. Without opportunities to learn, grow, and belong in their own country, many risk looking for their future elsewhere - outside of Ukraine.
Zminotvortsi Winter Camp creates a safe, inspiring space for rural teens to grow. For five days in the Carpathians, campers connect with peers from across Ukraine, building friendships and networks, learn from mentors who teach practical modern skills, find purpose through workshops that empower them for action, socialise and have fun in a safe environment. They leave with confidence, friendships, and a vision for their future.
The Winter Camp is part of Zminotvortsi's larger ecosystem of youth empowerment. Beyond camp, teens join our community and access: 12 online courses in business, economics, culture, and more. Mentorship and internships that help them apply skills in real life. Local youth-led initiatives that improve their villages and towns. Our alumni have already become active voices in their communities. By investing in one teen, you spark change that spreads through entire villages.
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