It’s already been half a year since I started volunteering with Youth for Equality, and every time I try to reflect on this journey, I realize just how much has happened and how much I’ve grown.
It all started in January. My name is Kristina (but friends call me Kika), I’m from Ukraine and have been living in Slovakia for the past four years. After completing my bachelor’s degree in political science, I wanted to find a place where I could use some of my knowledge, learn new things and continue growing – and I found it here.
At first, everything felt a bit new – new people, activities, social media, projects. But the team welcomed me with warmth, and day by day I started feeling like part of something meaningful. With guidance from the Youth for Equality team, I gradually became involved in different activities and discovered where my interests and skills could contribute.
Soon I had an unforgettable experience – On-Arrival Training in Nová Dubnica for ESC volunteers. It was my first time being surrounded by people from all corners of Europe (and beyond), united by the same goal – to make the world a little better. In a warm, friendly and inspiring atmosphere, we learned more about volunteering, our rights and responsibilities, Youthpass, and participated in games, training and workshops that helped us connect and become a real international team. I made new friends, gained valuable insights and collected memories I’ll cherish forever.
From the very first weeks of my volunteering, I got involved in the Youth DemocrAID project – an initiative focused on civic engagement, democracy and youth participation. This topic was especially interesting to me because of my background in political science. With support and guidance from the team, I contributed to content, helped prepare and co-facilitate workshops for the first time in my life, and even co-hosted a podcast where we discussed the role of civic engagement and how young people can take the first steps toward making change.
Being gradually involved in workshops was a particularly valuable learning experience for me. At first, I supported colleagues during their implementation, but as I gained experience and confidence, I could contribute more actively to discussions and facilitation. Each activity helped me learn something new, challenge myself and develop my communication and facilitation skills.
One of my own local initiatives was the monthly Quiz Night, held every last Wednesday. The idea grew from my interest in creating an informal activity where people could meet and have fun together. With support from the Youth for Equality team, I had the opportunity to develop the idea and take an active role in preparing and facilitating the evenings.
Quiz Night brings people together – regardless of age or background – for an evening of fun, teamwork and curiosity. It’s not just a quiz – it’s an opportunity to test your knowledge on all kinds of topics, from history and music to logic and pop culture, meet new people and enjoy a vibrant, light-hearted atmosphere.
Another local activity that became very meaningful to me was the Women’s Club, which I regularly supported together with the coordinators. This is a space for Ukrainian women who were forced to leave their homes due to the war. In a warm and supportive atmosphere, we helped create a safe place where they could feel heard, seen and connected.
Through creative workshops – embroidery, knitting, soap-making, painting – participants could relax, express themselves and spend time together. We also included games and informal Slovak language practice, helping to bridge cultures and support their integration into life in Slovakia.
As I became more confident during my volunteering, I also had space to explore topics that were personally important to me and develop my own ideas with support from the organisation. One of these was a small initiative focused on sustainability, which allowed me to explore the topic creatively and turn my interest into activities and content that could also engage other people.
One of the most memorable experiences was the Voices of Tomorrow project, organised by our team with the support of the Visegrad Fund. It brought together participants from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine to explore themes of civic engagement, democracy, international cooperation, media and podcasting. As a volunteer, I had the opportunity to take part in the programme and contribute to different activities. We didn’t just talk about media – we created content ourselves, held interviews and recorded podcasts. The project was full of meaningful conversations, new connections and shared inspiration.
And of course, one of the biggest highlights of the past weeks was City Health Week – a three-week volunteering programme filled with learning, energy and shared purpose. Ten volunteers from different countries came together in Trnava to explore topics such as mental health, physical wellbeing, nutrition and active living.
Together with the Youth for Equality team and local partners, volunteers contributed ideas, helped prepare and support activities and took an active part in the programme. The highlight was the City Health Week Festival in Bernolákov sad, where we supported different activities and helped create a welcoming space for the local community focused on learning, wellbeing and connection.
City Health Week became a space of strength, care and awareness. It wasn’t just a project – it was a community, an energy and a step toward becoming the best version of ourselves.
Volunteering has become more than just a project for me – it’s a journey. Into a new society, into teams with incredible people, and most importantly, into myself. It’s an experience that transforms and inspires – and I’m excited to see what the next months will bring!
