At the beginning of December, the “SMART Community” Youth Hub was officially opened in the center of the Tomakivka community — a space created in response to the current needs of the community and its youth. The Hub is not just a place for meetings, but a point for learning, exchanging ideas, and collaborative work on community development, where young people can share their initiatives and the community can actively shape the future of Tomakivka.
The event was attended by representatives of the community, local authorities, active youth, internally displaced persons, and project partners. Among the guests were:
- Ivan Kalashnyk, Head of Tomakivka Community, who emphasized the importance of youth participation in recovery processes and decision-making;
- Oleksiy Velychko, Head of the Housing and Utilities Department, who presented the Strategic Development Plan of the community and shared plans for the future;
- Vladyslava Kalashnyk, Hub Administrator, who introduced guests to the concept of the space and its potential for the community;
- Nataliya Teslyk, Project Manager of “Strengthening Resilience and Protection of Conflict-Affected Individuals, Communities, and Systems in Central and Eastern Ukraine,” who highlighted the team’s efforts and the importance of such a space for youth and the community overall.
The opening began with a festive reception, where guests could meet over tea or coffee and leave their ideas on the “Idea Board.” During the official part of the event, the symbolic Key to the Future was handed over from the Head of the Community to Vladyslava Kalashnyk, marking a sign of trust and openness to new initiatives.
“For us, this Hub is the result of extensive joint work. A lot of effort, time, and attention to detail were invested, and today we see that it has paid off. A modern, vibrant space has appeared in the Tomakivka community, with the potential to become an important point of development for youth and the community as a whole,” says Project Manager Nataliya Teslyk.
A special highlight of the event was the interactive formats, where participants actively worked on idea discussions, took part in blitz forums, and role-playing games simulating real situations in the community. These activities helped young people and local authorities practically experience how collaborative communication and decision-making work, and understand the value of cooperation for community development.
“I am very proud that such a space has appeared in our community. The Youth Hub is about opportunities, about the voice of young people, and about believing that the future of the community is being shaped today. It is a great honor for me to be part of this process,” adds Hub Coordinator Vladyslava Kalashnyk.
The Strengthening Resilience and Protection of Conflict-Affected Individuals, Communities, and Systems in Central and Eastern Ukraine project is implemented by the Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” in cooperation with the international humanitarian organization CARE and with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.