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About
YMCA Veteran Initiative Ukraine

This initiative aims to establish YMCA support for soldiers and veterans in Ukraine, by creating recreational and rehabilitative spaces, alongside activities and programs for Ukrainian veterans, soldiers, and their families. Due to the war in Ukraine, the need for veteran-support, across the country has increased dramatically, and will only continue to increase in the coming years.

Through pilot projects, started by YMCA Lviv, we are developing knowledge, network and insights about different kind of efforts. We are taking this preliminary approach in order to build on their existing experience, and establish the necessary groundwork, before scaling up the project and disseminating the effort to local YMCA’s across Ukraine.

Support

Since 2014, when Russia started the conflict, there has been a increased focus on veterans in YMCA Lviv. This video is from one of their veteran projects from 2015.

Background

Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea and now the full-scale war in Ukraine, the number of veterans in the country has risen to over 1.2 million, and the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs of Ukraine have projected the number to reach over 4 million by the time the war is over.

It is evident to everyone that war brings about many challenges and injuries for soldiers and veterans. Therefore, the question is not whether an effort should be made, but rather, which effort we as civil society can make together. 

Other than the physical damage resulting from serving in the war, issues often arise by taking a toll on the mental health of soldiers veterans. These issues may take form of PTSD, depression, anxiety, increase of aggravated or aggressive behavior. The programs we are developing, are especially focused on aiding the reintegration of veterans who are affected or at risk.

Today, smaller programs for soldiers and veterans take place in local YMCAs – so there is a starting point and network to begin with. One such local organisation is YMCA Lviv, who already has some experience from their veteran-focused programs. With a relatively stable position in western Ukraine, succesful programs and existing collaborations with YMCA & YWCA Aarhus, they present an ideal starting point for a pilot project.

Working assumptions

The launch of this initiative, and the work involved, is based on these key assumptions:

  • We as a civil society organisation, need to develop our role, together with local and state authorities, private businesses and companies and other civil socity organisations.
  • There is a need to create recreational programs addressing the mental health of soldiers in Ukraine after their participation in war.
  • There is a need to assist families with veterans.
  • We can utilize and develop YMCA Lviv’s setup (administration, staff, network and knowledge) for a certain period in a startup period.
  • We can use the experiences, efforts, and approach of KFUM’s Soldiers’ Mission in Denmark as an example for the work in Ukraine.
  • We assume veteran organisations in Denmark have an interest in starting some work, but need a starting point. This is where we could be a helping partner, and create win-win situations
  • Because Ukraine is still at war, the situation and needs are rapidly changing – and therefore long-term planning is difficult, and therefore need to constantly adjust without losing the methods of gaining insights.

Together with partnering organizations, can make a difference for soldiers and veterans, and their families, if we collaborate and create a professional platform for fundraising, knowledge and coordination.

(Click to enlarge)

  • There are currently more than 1.200.000 veterans in Ukraine.
  • Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine has projected that number to rise to over 4.000.000 by end of the war.

Who is behind the initiative?

YMCA Lviv, based on their previous experience working with veterans, now want to level up a much needed reintegration effort for veterans and their families. Therefore this initiative is taken to establish a pilot project, with international support. The aim of the initiative is to test programs, gather insights and work towards a stronger organisational setup, both in Ukraine and internationally.

The veteran work in YMCA Lviv is led by CEO, Oleksandra Sorokopud and veteran project manager, Yurko Vovkohon. They’ve asked Filip Hove Kristensen to join in helping establish this initative. To assist the birth of this initative, YMCA Soldiermission Denmark, agreed to support the project with ressources in the form of network, knowledge and experience.

The people behind YMCA Veteran Initiative Ukraine

There are many people behind the initiative, who believe in the project, and whom the initative depends on . Here you can read about the three people that are key in taking the initative.

We’re all dedicated to establish support for Ukrainian society, through making community-driven projects for veterans and their families.

Yurko Vovkohon

Veteran Project Manager

Oleksandra Sorokopud

CEO of YMCA Lviv

Filip Hove Kristensen

Project Leader YMCA for Armed Services Denmark

Yurko, a Ukrainian veteran with frontline experience both during the 2014-15 Crimea annexation and the full-scale invasion in 2022.

He served in the 80th Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, until he was seriously wounded while defending Lysychansk. in June 2022.

As a project manager, he coordinates diverse programs and cultural events, offering crucial insights into the challenges faced by veterans and soldiers.

Lesya established YMCA Lviv in 2004, the activity of which was prohibited during the Soviet Union.

She has spearheaded several community-driven projecs benefiting local civil society in Ukraine. She actively coordinates support for Ukrainian soldiers and families amidst crises, and has done so since the annexation of Crimea, up to the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Filip is currently working for ‘YMCA for Armed Services Denmark’ to help establish this initiative and help create a new YMCA Soldier Home in Skrydstrup, Denmark.

First visited Ukraine in 2008 and has been engaged in different. He has visited Ukraine on more than 40 occasions, where he has acted as election-observer, guide, course instructor, holiday guest, train-traveller, etc.

  • MA in Political Science, Ivan Franko Lviv National University.
  • Participated in the Orange Revolution, Kyiv Maidan 2004.
  • Participated in the “Dignity Revolution”, Kyiv Maidan 2013-2014. 
  • Was awarded by the President of Ukraine with the Order For Courage, Third Class in August 2022.
  • PhD. in Political Science, Ivan Franko Lviv National University.
  • Started YMCA Lviv in 2004.
  • Has worked with UNCHR as Senior Protection Associate in 2014.
  • Deputy Director at Western region Crimea-SOS network in 2015.
  • Interned at NATO – Special Parliamentary Commetee in 2003.
  • Board Member of YMCA for Armed Services Denmark, 2013-2017.
  • Member of the Advisory Board for YMCA Lviv, since 2015.
  • Chaired the International Committee of YMCA and YWCA in Denmark, 2013-2019.
  • Co-founder and Board Member of think-tank Cura, 2012.
  • Worked at The Danish Youth Council, 2015-2018.
  • Formerly part of the Executive Commitee in The European Movement Denmark, 2012-2017.

Questions & Answers

YMCA Lviv was founded in 2004. During the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the organization prioritized providing shelter and support for internally displaced young activists, fostering psychological rehabilitation and volunteerism. They established a volunteer center and café, aiding IDPs and organizing humanitarian aid across nine communities in de-occupied territories. Shifting focus from education to rapid response, they collaborated with Danish partners to raise funds for aid, emphasizing art therapy and social support for young activists.

Unique in its mandate to work with soldiers and veterans, YMCA Lviv have aimed to address their specific needs alongside the needs of IDPs. Operating without owned spaces, they rely on rentals and partnerships, continually fundraising to sustain their projects and activities. More details on their initiatives can be found on their website.

By starting with a pilot project, we will be able to develop methodology, by drawing on the experience gained by the YMCA Lviv, and scale to the rest of the country, by involving other YMCA’s in Ukraine. Ideally this will result in support for veterans throughout the country.

Currently, the efforts and experiences of YMCA Lviv’s veteran work make up an ideal groundwork for establishing a broader support network for Ukrainian veterans.

But in order to succeed, the project will require international support, as well as an organising structure to facilitate and provide ressources.

With a relativly stable position in the western part of Ukraine, and having already facilitated several veteran-focused programs, YMCA Lviv is a great starting point for a pilot project. Its staff and volunteers posesses hands-on experience and knowledge which can be expanded upon. By leveraging YMCA Lviv’s setup as the basis of the pilot project, their experience along with new insights, can serve as a springboard for scaling up the initiative to other areas of Ukraine.

In addition to this, YMCA Lviv has experience of cooperation with well-known international organizations, such as UN Women, and the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Aid Fund, The International Renaissance Foundation, The Malteser and ministries in Ukraine.

With several established soldier homes across the country, the experience of Danish civil society organizations like the YMCA Armed Services Denmark, is an invaluable resource, when it comes to establishing similar efforts for veterans in Ukraine. With the help of Danish CSO’s, we are able to develop the concept of veteran programs and ‘veteran hubs’, by drawing on their knowledge and adapting it for Ukrainian society.

There is a need for support from international organisations, as any efforts by local organizations in Ukraine are greatly affected by the war.

Danish civil society organizations like YMCA Armed Services Denmark, therefore play a pivotal role as frontrunners for international support in establishing support programs for veterans in Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian legislation, a veteran is defined as a “person who took part in the Russian-Ukrainian war and received the status of a participant in military operations.”

There are several ways you can help, depending on your situation:

  • If you want to support as an individual, you can donate funds, clothing or other resources for use in soldier homes, or sign up for volunteering.
  • If you represent a business or an organisation, you can support by booking an event speaker through us, donating funds, items, gifts or other resources.

Please reach out to us, if you want to learn more about you can help.

A ‘veteran hub’ is like a second home for veterans and actively serving members of the defense, where their families are also welcome. Usually driven by volunteers, it is a place filled with recreational activities and rehabilitative programs.

The concept is especially known from Denmark, where Danish veterans and actively serving soldiers alike have benefitted from the recreational space and activities organised in so-called ‘soldier homes’.

Working as a CSO, in a country affected by an ongoing war, raises some difficult challenges. This especially true in regards to long-term planning. We do our best to adapt to the situation as it unfolds, and try to focus on the things, we can do here and now. Currently, we’ve found that the best approach is to work on short-term goals, such as the pilot-project, with our long-term goals in mind.

Help us support the increasing number of veterans in Ukraine

Starting with a pilot project, we are expanding the rehabilitation programs of the YMCA in Lviv aimed at veterans. Based on the experience gained during the previous programs, we aim to create a basis for veteran support programs for further expansion and implementation throughout Ukraine.

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Events and activities held by YMCA Lviv

Including veteran-oriented programs such as family camps and art therapy.

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Videos Created

Portraying the experiences of volunteers who went to the frontline.

900+

Hours of legal consultation provided

Legal advice on volunteering and public affairs for volunteers, military personnel and veterans.

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Tons of humanitarian aid in 3 months (collected and distributed)

Thanks to the organized efforts of YMCA Lviv, as well as the support of international partners.

Support