Solutions from Ukraine: Lutsk welcomes first cafe in Volyn region with 80% of net profit dedicated to community projects

The first community-driven misto.cafe in Volyn has opened in Lutsk, which will donate 80% of its net profits to fund social projects.

Rubryka writes about this, referring to misto.cafe.

What is the solution?

The "Algorithm of Action" platform is the driving force behind establishing a public influence cafe in Lutsk. The team drew inspiration from the successful Urban Space 100 restaurant in Ivano-Frankivsk, using their model as a foundation. Over nine years, Urban Space 100 has supported 163 projects, totaling more than seven million hryvnias.

According to the concept, the public sector offers ideas for developing the city, and the cafe's co-founders decide at quarterly meetings which projects will receive funding.

During  martial law, the grant focus will be on initiatives concerning the military and veterans. Furthermore, proposals that aim to develop Lutsk's infrastructure and social, cultural, or educational aspects will also be considered.

^{Photo: misto.cafe}

"I can confidently say that the concept of a social influence cafe brought together a diverse and creative group of individuals. We collaborated to bring this idea to life, and the result was a visually appealing space that also served as a platform for community engagement. I believe that this space will inspire Lutsk residents to participate in social changes in the city, become active members of the community, submit their ideas for grants, and form a positive image for everyone who supported this idea from the very beginning," Vadym Kuryliuk, head of the NGO "Misto.cafe", noted.

How does it work?

The café has 100 co-founders who all made a one-time, non-refundable contribution to kickstart the project. However, they have no impact on the establishment's day-to-day operations and do not receive any share of the profits.

Instead, the café's net profit will be allocated based on the following system:

• operations will receive 20% of the profit,
• while 80% will go towards funding public projects for the development of Lutsk.

Everyone is involved in implementing change. Café's guests provide financial support for future projects by paying the bill.

The restaurant serves Volyn, Crimean Tatar, contemporary European dishes, and coffee beverages from over five Ukrainian roasters, including Dzhezva coffee, which is similar to Cezve but even better.

On the menu, visitors can find a variety of dishes, including:

• crumbly Crimean meat and cheese chebureks,
• Volyn Teremniv pate with a side of sauce and onion marmalade,
• salads,
• a range of pasta options,
• and the café's selection of sweet and savory pastries.

Oh, by the way, this is the sole cafe in Lutsk that serves a menu of Crimean cuisine.

Besides offering delicious food and drinks, misto.cafe also features a shop and event space. What sets the shop apart is that it exclusively showcases products made by local manufacturers and Lutsk souvenirs.

In addition, the venue will host lectures, master classes, workshops, and other events that aim to change the city.

For reference:

The "Enjoying Life" charitable foundation kicked off the "Taste of Life" project in January 2023 with grant funding from Dorcas Ukraine. The project aims to provide moral support for displaced individuals and highlight the small joys that can be found in any situation in life.

In addition, the second social cafe-bakery, Sunshine Cafe, where young people with mental disorders work, was opened in the Metro shopping center in the Pozniaky area, Kyiv.

Additionally, an inclusive cafe-manufactory has been opened in Chernivtsi. Customers are served by young individuals with disabilities and can enjoy food in exchange for a donation.