From June to October, ten blog cafés were held in Zaporizhzhia within the “Together We Can” programme. These events brought together activists, young people, veterans, displaced women, volunteers, and everyone who strives to make a difference in their communities.
June 4 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Women in the Military and Female Veterans in the Media Focus
Ambassador: Olena Poda
Participants discussed how to speak about women serving in the military with respect and without stereotypes, shared personal veteran stories, and analyzed common media mistakes.
June 18 – Kushuhum Community
Topic: Youth Spaces in the Community: How to Create an Environment Where Young People Are Heard
Ambassador: Olesia Chornovol
The youth talked about initiative, self-organization, and responsibility. Together they explored what prevents young people from being active and how to build their own space for growth.
August 6 – Kushuhum Community
Topic: Volunteering as the Foundation of Community Development
Ambassador: Olesia Chornovol
About the people who keep everything running – volunteers who make change happen. Participants shared stories of solidarity and local volunteer projects that unite communities.
August 20 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Life-Building in Ukrainian Realities 2022–2025
Ambassador: Marharyta Derhach
Discussions focused on how people learn to live and recover after loss, how they find strength within themselves and through their communities.
August 24 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Activating the Resources of Life-Building
Ambassador: Marharyta Derhach
On Ukraine’s Independence Day – a conversation about inner independence. How not to lose oneself in difficult times and how to support those around us.
September 11 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Motivation and Self-Motivation as Factors in Achieving Goals
Ambassador: Hanna Kavun
About the power of small steps and inner drive. How to stay motivated and avoid burnout in times of uncertainty, while restoring your own energy.
September 12 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Non-Discrimination and Human Rights
Ambassador: Tetiana Hrytsenko
Equality is not just a slogan but a principle that shapes communities. Participants analyzed real-life cases of discrimination and discussed how education can change mindsets.
September 15 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Women Internally Displaced Persons: Must Media Stories Always Be “Happy”?
Ambassador: Olena Poda
Heartfelt conversations about displacement, loss, strength, and dignity – and the right of every story to be told honestly, without embellishment but with respect.
October 8 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Gender Equality: Reality and Challenges
Ambassador: Tetiana Hrytsenko
Discussions focused on how the role of women in communities is changing, what barriers still exist, and what we can all do to make equality real.
October 9 – Zaporizhzhia
Topic: Institutionalization of Youth Organizations
Ambassador: Hanna Kavun
From ideas to sustainable structures – about project management, partnerships, and how youth initiatives can grow stronger through practice, cooperation, and persistence.
These meetings united different generations and experiences – but all participants shared a common goal: development, dignity, and mutual respect.
We thank all ambassadors, partners, and participants for their dialogue, openness, and actions that make communities stronger.
The project is implemented by the NGO Human Rights Foundation as part of the “Together We Can” programme with the support of IFA and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
