Saving the spirit of Christmas
Christmas and New Year's celebrations should shine even in times of war. This is a season when we all have the power to be someone's miracle — bringing warmth to those who need it most. It's a chance to spread joy to children, support older people, provide hot meals or warm clothing to people without homes, and show gratitude to the soldiers safeguarding our future.
Charities and volunteers across Ukraine are calling on everyone to join Christmas campaigns. These initiatives aim to ensure that those struggling due to war and hardship won't be left without love and care this holiday season.
"Carolers are coming!"
On December 25, Ukraine celebrated Christmas. And what's Christmas without caroling, or how Ukrainians call it Koliada? Carolers have long been believed to bring good fortune, and anyone lucky enough to meet them will enjoy happiness and prosperity in the new year.
Rubryka joined the Slobidska Koliadka community, which sings carols to raise funds for drones for the Ukrainian soldiers. Here's a festive story to warm your heart in these not-so-festive times.
Vertep in the land of Santa Claus
Finland, the enchanting home of Santa Claus, proudly hosts the official residence of the world-famous grandpa in a red coat in Rovaniemi, the town nestled right on the Arctic Circle. Unsurprisingly, the weeks leading up to Christmas are the busiest time at Santa's village.
While Santa and his helpers prepare for the holiday far up north, Ukrainians around the world are creating their own Christmas magic. We caught a glimpse of it in Helsinki, southern Finland.
Rubyka explores how activists unite the Ukrainian community through traditional culture, why the language of the nativity play is a powerful tool for telling Ukraine's story to foreigners, and what it's like to build a Ukrainian world abroad.
12 gifts from Ukrainian veteran-owned businesses
Choosing Christmas and New Year gifts, or any presents for that matter, can not just be a way to delight your loved ones but also an opportunity to support those who defend Ukraine. Many service members, veterans, and their families have launched their businesses. By purchasing from them, you can get unique, Ukraine-inspired items crafted with care while also helping veterans grow their ventures.
Rubryka has compiled a list of gift ideas created by Ukrainian soldiers, veterans, and their families. Let every purchase be a gesture of gratitude and support.
How teens help demine Ukraine
Earlier, we wrote about strategies countries employ to engage youth in science. One practical approach involves introducing STEM systems and rethinking curricula, placing a stronger emphasis on practical learning.
Promoting technical careers and presenting science as something exciting and full of potential can help draw young people into these fields.
Stanislav Dovhyi, President of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, told Rubryka that his organization has created an ecosystem of competitions, scientific events, and workshops to achieve this ambitious goal. This initiative offers students opportunities to present their ideas internationally or develop startups in business incubators.
In our latest piece, we're sharing stories of innovative projects born in the business incubator that could transform the future of demining in Ukraine.
How Ukrainian grandmothers are supporting children's mental health through play
In Ukraine today, child psychologists primarily focus on children who've endured psychological trauma, are facing severe emotional difficulties, or require long-term rehabilitation. However, there is another group of children — those who, while not having experienced substantial trauma, still need psychological support due to the stress of living in wartime.
The Academy of Care has discovered a way to broaden its positive impact on children. The organization decided to involve older adults to offer basic psychological support to those whose needs are not urgent but still require attention and care. Through a specialized program teaching the basics of psychology, women aged 60 and older acquire new skills and connect with their "grandchildren" in the persona of the animated character of a carrot named Morkva Horikhivna.
Rubryka talks about the project here.
A place to recharge
A therapeutic art session on "My Life Values." Photo: Photo: Zelenjgay Initiative
The village of Zelenyi Hai, part of the Shevchenkove community in the Mykolaiv region, has been scarred by Russia's full-scale invasion. During hostilities, 80% of administrative and residential buildings were damaged.
The residents of Zelenyi Hai began rebuilding their village during the height of the fighting. Together with energy workers, they restored electricity. Soon after, they wrote the first grant project in the community's history to establish a "resilience hub" and install solar panels on water towers.
Oksana Hnedko, head of the Zelenyi Hai administration, says, "At first, everyone focused on rebuilding their homes, and charity foundations prioritized humanitarian and medical aid. But soon, the need for a community center became clear. Alongside housing repairs, people needed legal consultations and psychological support for adults and children."
Here's how this ambitious idea came to life — read the full story here.
Sharing with those in need
An older man living alone cannot leave his home due to illness. A single mother with many children, feeling increasingly abandoned without any support. A family grieving the loss of their son in the war, struggling to make ends meet. These are not isolated stories but a harsh reality for many Ukrainians who can't afford basic necessities like firewood, medicine, or food.
The Nedilna Tasha ("Sunday Bag") project, launched by the Ukrainian nonprofit Barrier-Free Transcarpathia, aims to change the situation. The initiative invites kind-hearted people to join a charitable "relay." Every week, new participants pass on the baton — providing food and other essential items to vulnerable families and individuals in need.
Read more about how this impactful project works in our detailed feature here.
Skills4Recovery
Michael Paulo during the interview
The ongoing war in Ukraine has forced six million people to flee the country, and a similar number are displaced internally. This has led to a severe shortage of skilled labor, which is essential for Ukraine's reconstruction. Rubryka spoke to Michael Paulo, program director of the Skills4Recovery initiative, which supports the training and retraining of skilled workers in four key sectors crucial for the country's recovery: construction, transport and logistics, agriculture, and the services sector.
Urban movement for Ukrainian teens
The educational project, UrbanRukh–City Is Me, offers teenagers from various cities in Ukraine tools to influence the development of their own communities. Here, they learn not only to talk about problems but also to propose solutions. Over nine months, 27 cities and communities across Ukraine participated in the project, and 810 teenagers began thinking about their initiatives to improve their cities.
Find out more about the vital initiative in our story here.
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