Solutions journalism works: Rubryka’s top 10 best articles in March

How Neopalymi burn survivor program helps Ukrainian children heal from scars of war

The national program Neopalymi offers free treatment and rehabilitation to Ukrainians, including children, with burns, scars, and other injuries caused by Russia's war. Rubryka explains how Neopalymi helps Ukrainian children heal, supports them through recovery, and teaches them to accept and love themselves along the way.

How volunteers fight to make medical commissions more accessible for Ukrainian soldiers

Ukrainian soldiers are required by law to undergo military medical commissions (MMC), which assess their health and fitness for service. For a few years now, the commission system in Ukraine has been plagued by neglect and disorder. Wounded soldiers — some with amputations — are forced to wait for hours in the crowded corridors of hospitals and endless lines, at times without access to functioning restrooms.

How can communities help make these medical evaluations more accessible and efficient? Rubryka spoke with Mariia Kravchenko, the founder of the Ukrainian charity foundation Dostup, who, together with a team of volunteers, is helping soldiers at one of Kyiv's medical facilities.

Inspiring story of American-Ukrainian artist and her investigation of Ukrainian ancestry

When Elizabeth arrived in the city of her ancestors, she became the first in her family to set foot on Ukrainian soil. After generations shaped by famine, war, and political repression, an American woman had finally found her way back to her roots. Her journey, worthy of a Hollywood script, began with nothing but a 1920s passport and a determination to uncover her family's past. Learn her story and discover how you can trace your own ancestry in Rubryka's latest article.

Artspace to foundation raising millions: the story of one Ukrainian volunteer

Olia Valianik used to be an actress. Now, she leads one of the most effective volunteer organizations in Ukraine. The Angar Charity Foundation was born on February 24, 2022, inside the theater where Olia once performed. In just under three years, it has raised over $2.5 million. Rubryka tells the story of Angar, how donations, big and small, kept it going, and how its mission changed along the way.

How one Ukrainian philharmonic studio unites professionals and amateurs

The PHIL-ART studio has been active at the Zhytomyr Regional Philharmonic for six months. Here, professional artists offer classes in various art forms for both children and adults. The studio students have even performed on the big stage alongside professionals. Learn how PHIL-ART nurtures artistic talents and supports music lovers in singing, dance, stage arts, and drawing in Rubryka's article.

Trading history for help: How tour guide raises funds for Ukrainian army

People in Ukraine are getting creative with fundraising — not just asking for donations but offering something meaningful in return. One of those people is Maksym Adamenko, a tourism expert and volunteer from Mukachevo. Since 2023, he's been running charity tours of the old Palanok Castle. "Evening for Donations," part tour and part theatrical performance, raises contributions from visitors to support Ukrainian soldiers.

Rubryka takes a look at this inspiring solution that's bringing people together to give and volunteer.

Trash or treasure? How schoolchildren in Ukraine are giving waste a second life

Plastic, paper, fabric, glass — every day, these materials end up in landfills, polluting the environment. The waste problem is only getting worse, especially since many people don't realize that a lot of what we throw away can actually be reused.

But in the town of Volodymyrka, Rivne region, Ukraine, they've found a solution. There, local high school students aren't just taught to talk about environmental issues; they're encouraged to take action, often in creative ways.

At the school club, "Eco Style: Managing Household Waste. A New Life for Old Things," students turn trash into useful items and decorations. We spoke with the club's leader, Olena Vasyiluk, a teacher and organizer at Volodymyrka Lyceum No. 2, to learn how the club works and how others can start something similar in their own communities.

Mykolaiv sports college battered by war rebuilds to train Ukraine's next Olympic champions

For years, the Mykolaiv Sports College has trained and produced Ukrainian champions who've won everything from smaller European competitions to the Olympic Games. In 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, all achievements had to be put on hold. The college building was damaged, and training moved online. Rubryka tells the story of the school's recovery, which allows its students to return and become a new generation of winners.

Beyond limits: 40 vulnerable women in Ukraine unlock their potential

For nearly six months, a project in the Reshetylivka community in the Poltava region of Ukraine helped women with disabilities and mothers of children with disabilities master modern technology, find psychological support, and build a community. Rubryka tells the story of how it all happened and what changed after the initiative ended.

How Ukraine's Energy Efficiency Fund adapts to war

In our conversation, Dmytro Syrykh discusses the work of Ukraine's Energy Efficiency Fund amid the ongoing war. As a state institution focused on the energy efficiency of multi-apartment buildings, the Fund has adapted its programs to address war-damaged housing. At the same time, it continues to support the long-term projects of the green reconstruction of Ukraine.