CONTEXT

After the partial occupation and heavy fighting in 2022, the Byshiv community in the Kyiv region lost many key institutions — a school, kindergarten, and the House of Culture. Today, children and young people have nowhere to gather, learn, or spend time together.
That’s why, from September 7 to 22, 2025, NGO “Building Ukraine Together” (BUR), in cooperation with the community, will create a youth space — a safe and inspiring place where young people can meet, attend training, and bring their ideas and projects to life.

THE PROBLEM

Before the full-scale Russian invasion, Byshiv had a House of Culture where local youth took part in singing, painting, and music classes. But in 2022, the community found itself on the front line — some nearby villages were occupied, and Byshiv suffered extensive destruction due to its proximity to heavy fighting.

Since then, there has been no space in the community for children and teens to meet, socialize, or develop their talents — nothing beyond their school day.

In early 2024, URenew and Gradus Research surveyed residents about cultural and educational needs in the community. Here’s what they found:

• 91.4% — lack of places where youth can spend free time
• 84.6% — no opportunities for quality education for children with special needs
• 82.7% — no adapted space for children with special needs
• 79.8% — no cultural events in the community
• 92.4% — no safe environment for integration and adaptation of young people
• 86.1% — no opportunities for self-expression due to the absence of youth spaces

Despite the destruction, Byshiv has already rebuilt its local lyceum. Teachers and students are trying to organize events for the youth there, and a student council has been created.

Two small sports courts in the schoolyard have become spontaneous gathering spots for teens in the evenings during warmer months.

Now, the community plans to convert a room in the school, with a separate entrance to the courtyard, into a proper youth space.

The idea is to create a space where kids and teens can spend time together in a safe, welcoming atmosphere, learn new things in non-formal settings, study English, explore creativity and entrepreneurship, get support, and feel connected.

In wartime, a youth space is not just about fun or free time. It’s also about mental health, emotional stability, and building resilience for the future.

THE SOLUTION: VOLUNTEER BUR CAMP IN BYSHIV

In September 2025, BUR will organize a 2-week volunteer camp in Byshiv. Young people from all over Ukraine (external volunteers) will join forces with local teens and residents (local volunteers) to build the youth space together.

In the evenings, the camp will offer a cultural-educational program — excursions, workshops, team-building, and more.

Through the camp, Byshiv youth will meet active young people from all over Ukraine, take part in creating a space for themselves, learn how to influence positive changes in their community, discover volunteering and youth opportunities across the country, use the space afterward for their own projects and events

Meanwhile, external volunteers will immerse in the reality of a de-occupied Ukrainian community, experience the richness of Ukraine’s diversity, build empathy, responsibility, adaptability, and diversity respect, learn how to be agents of change in their own communities.

CAMP DETAILS

🗓 Two shifts:

• September 7–14, 2025
• September 15–22, 2025

Each shift includes:

• 10 external volunteers
• 10+ local volunteers
• a support team of 1 camp administrator, 1 construction coordinator, 2 technical mentors, camp leaders (in charge of team-building and cultural-educational program)

🚿 Before the camp starts, BUR’s technical team will install showers and toilets for volunteer use.

FUNDRAISING GOAL

BUR needs 556 488,81 UAH (~$13 224) to make this camp happen.

Breakdown of the budget:

• 214655.21 UAH (~$5112) — building materials and volunteer safety equipment
• 133050 UAH (~$3169) — meals for volunteers and mentors
• 118343.60 UAH (~$2818) — wages for camp admin, construction coordinator, and technical mentors
• 39000 UAH (~$929) — camp T-shirts for volunteers
• 16000 UAH (~$381) — photo documentation
• 12000 UAH (~$286) — travel for the camp team
• 8400 UAH (~$200) — supplies for workshops and activities
• 7800 UAH (~$186) — cultural excursions
• 4000 UAH (~$95) — insurance for volunteers
• 2000 UAH (~$48) — fuel

Some budget items may be slightly adjusted depending on real-time needs — for example, food costs could go down with local business support, while the T-shirt budget might increase if more volunteers join.

BUR and Byshiv community’s contribution:
Two camp leaders will participate on a volunteer basis. Accommodation for all participants will be provided free of charge in the school’s shelter to ensure safety. Showers and toilets will also be available on the school premises. BUR will cover the transportation of construction materials and other needs using its own small truck. Construction tools will be provided by BUR as well. Additionally, the local community has agreed to provide the school bus for excursion

TRANSPARENCY & REPORTING

Within a month after the camp, BUR will publish a detailed financial report on our website — showing all expenses and items purchased. Upon individual request, we can also provide receipts and invoices.

We’ll also prepare a narrative impact report with:

• outcomes
• successful stories
• photos
• “before and after” documentation

💌 We'd love to personally thank each donor. If you'd like to receive a thank-you note and a report about the camp, please fill out this form and upload a screenshot of your donation. We'll use your contact details to send you our appreciation and a report after the camp ends.

Please note: While it is unlikely, there is a small possibility that—thanks to active support from local businesses—we may spend less than the amount collected. In that case, all remaining funds will be used to support the ongoing needs and development of the youth space we are fundraising for. We will make sure to report transparently on how all funds are used.

HOW TO SUPPORT

You can donate via bank transfer using the following details:
🌐 https://www.bur.org.ua/en/pidtrimati-nova/

Correspondent bank:
BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, New York, USA
SWIFT/BIC: IRVTUS3N

Beneficiary bank:
JSC KREDOBANK, Lviv, Ukraine
SWIFT/BIC: WUCBUA2X

Account holder: BUILDING UKRAINE TOGETHER
IBAN: UA28325365000000026005003458484
Payment note: Charitable donation to the creation of a youth space in Byshiv

⚠️ Important: Please include "Byshiv" in your payment purpose. Without it, we won’t know your donation is for this project, and it may be used for other organizational needs.

Other ways to support:
🔗 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/building_ukraine_together
🔗 Way for Pay (a super easy way to donate any amount that feels right for you): https://secure.wayforpay.com/donate/d6680a0b84832 

QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?

If you have questions or would like to discuss the project, feel free to reach out to the project coordinator in Byshiv: 📩 sostrozka@bur.org.ua