Solutions in Action: Teens from Bucha and Borodianka Present Projects at the Aspen Kyiv Challenge Final

On 13 February, Aspen Institute Kyiv hosted the final event of the Aspen Kyiv Challenge – an educational leadership programme for teenagers from Bucha and Borodianka, communities that endured occupation. More than 300 people gathered in Bucha to see the results of six teams’ work, hear from leaders in business, government and culture, and learn the names of the winners.

“Teenagers are not our future – they are our present. I’m truly happy that the Aspen Kyiv Challenge has become a strong starting point and a life-changing experience, shaping participants as individuals and leaders – people who take responsibility for their communities and their country. It’s not easy to surprise me, but these projects did exactly that. It was remarkable. The juries were moved to tears because  these young people did an incredible job. I’m sure this will be a turning point for many of them,” said Yuliya Tychkivska.

Over four months, six teams from schools in Bucha and Borodianka developed projects aimed at rebuilding their communities. Working alongside mentors, the teens went through the full cycle – from identifying a problem and shaping an idea to bringing it to life.

Participants launched an initiative to support veterans and their families, developed a digital app, created an interactive map and implemented local projects already operating in their communities.

During the event, participants asked bold questions and sought advice from Yevhen Kudriavets, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, who spoke about his successes and challenges as a teenager.

They also heard from Yevhen Klopotenko, chef, creative entrepreneur and civic activist; Pavlo Hots, frontman of the band NAZVA; Yuliia Chekalova, founder of the MFT brand and owner of the 119 dental clinic network; and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Member of Parliament. The discussion was moderated with sharp wit by Nastia Zukhvala, headliner of the “Underground Stand-Up” project.

The winners were selected by the jury: Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director of Aspen Institute Kyiv; Angelina Osadcha, Director of the Klitschko Foundation; Olga Ustynova, CEO of Vodafone Ukraine; Adam Kharlampovych, founder of the NGO “Algorithm of Action”; Anatoliy Fedoruk, Mayor of Bucha; Sergii Koval, founder of Kosmotech; and Mykola Riznyk, head of the Opishnia territorial community.

The jury assessed the teams based on six criteria: impact, community engagement, creativity and originality, feasibility and sustainability, teamwork, and presentation performance.

The Grand Prix went to Borodianka Academic Lyceum for its veteran hub project, with the team receiving the top prize – a trip to Germany.

“Honestly, we’re a bit shocked and happy at the same time. We thought we’d win the Audience Choice Award because we’d heard a lot of people were voting for us. Until the very last moment, we didn’t believe we’d win the Grand Prix. When they announced “Borodianka Academic Lyceum” from the stage – it was just “wow!”. We’re so happy, there are so many emotions, it’s hard to put them into words. It’s amazing to realise that our project has earned us a trip to Germany. Thank you for this incredible opportunity,” said Anastasiia Skurativska, a member of the winning team. 

Bucha Lyceum №5 received three awards for its Bucha Online app – the Audience Choice Award, Best Presentation Award and Creativity Award. The team was also invited to take part in the Aspen Institute Kyiv’s Action Forum, which will take place in Ivano-Frankivsk this May.

Other teams were recognised in the following categories:

Best Collaboration Award – Lithuanian-Ukrainian Lyceum for the interactive project “Route Through Borodianka”
Resilience Award – Novozalissky Lyceum for the environmental initiative “Clean Community: Sort Responsibly!”
Social Impact Award – Bucha Lyceum №9 for a project on ethical communication with military personnel and veterans
Special Jury Award – Bucha School №1 for the youth career guidance project “ProfTime Bucha”

All participants also received gifts from partners, including MEGOGO subscriptions, tech devices from Kosmotech and sweets from Truff Royal.

The event closed with a joint musical performance featuring Pavlo Hots of NAZVA and Dmytro Mazuriak, a sopilka player from the band KAZKA. Participants, speakers, jury members and guests sang the iconic “Chervona Ruta” along with songs by NAZVA.

We are grateful to the partners of the event – Vodafone Ukraine, MEGOGO, Sheriff, Truff Royal and Kosmotech – as well as media partners Starlight Media and Suspilne.

The Aspen Kyiv Challenge project is implemented by the Aspen Institute Kyiv in partnership with the Aspen Institute Center for Rising Generations, with support of the Global Fund Aspen Institute International Partners, and in cooperation with the Klitschko Foundation.