What is the problem, and what is the solution?
"We wanted to unite the Ukrainian community in Barcelona. Each of us, displaced by the full-scale invasion, felt a certain sense of isolation. That's why we decided to build a community to foster integration and provide support for Ukrainians in Catalonia," explains Yelizaveta Priakhina, one of the leaders of the Ukrainian Runners in Barcelona.
This initiative led to the formation of a unique running club in July 2023. On July 16, the founders organized their first solidarity run, bringing people together for a shared cause.
First URB run in July 2023. Photo: URB
According to Priakhina, even then, it was clear that Spanish media coverage of the war in Ukraine was decreasing. This prompted the Ukrainians to set another goal: to remind locals that the war is ongoing. To achieve this, they began holding weekly runs featuring Ukrainian flags.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but running clubs have become a major trend in 2024. They're even being called new rivals to dating apps, and the number of running groups on the streets has grown exponentially," the activist says. "We created Ukrainian Runners in Barcelona before it became mainstream, and our unique features—besides the community's openness to everyone—are the Ukrainian flags and donations to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
How does it work?
Ukrainian Runners in Barcelona together with foreigners. Photo: URB
URB is a community that welcomes everyone—from 4-5-year-olds to adults over 60. Sports experience doesn't matter, as race organizers tailor routes and paces to suit different groups. Participants can either run a symbolic three kilometers for fun or complete a full 10-kilometer workout. What's remarkable is that from the very first runs, foreigners have joined the team of Ukrainians, and their numbers continue to grow. Among them are Spaniards, Latin Americans, a Japanese man fluent in Ukrainian, a Canadian photojournalist, and an Italian who has volunteered in Ukraine twice.
"We often ask why, out of dozens of running clubs, they choose URB. They always give the same answer: 'Because spending time with you is always heartwarming.'" A community representative laughs, adding, "That's why the most fitting name for our club would be Ukrainian (and not only) Runners in Barcelona."
URB Anniversary Charity Run, July 2024. Photo by URB
Every Saturday, Ukrainians take to the streets of Barcelona — not just for fitness but for a cause. By improving their physical and mental health, they also contribute to supporting the Ukrainian army.
In just one year, Ukrainian Runners in Barcelona (URB) has grown from a simple running club into a major social platform, raising thousands of euros for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Simultaneously, it has created a community that unites Ukrainians and their foreign supporters across Spain, Portugal, and Sweden.
In March 2024, the club hosted its first run in Lisbon, followed by another in Malmö in September. An active URB branch has also formed in Poland, further expanding the club's reach and impact.
Climbing lessons. Photo by URB
"Over this time, our activities have expanded well beyond Saturday runs. The club now has several large branches, offering something for everyone," says Priakhina. "For example, we actively play padel, volleyball, and tennis, regularly go hiking, and host lessons in rock climbing and slacklining. We also skate, roller skate, and bike."
In addition to weekly running meetings, URB has organized numerous large events over the past year and a half, raising approximately €10,000. "These included about five community gatherings where we sold homemade treats for donations, several major races, a demonstration, a charity padel tournament, and dozens of charity dinners, among other activities," the activist adds.
Demonstration in support of Ukraine. Photo URB
In 2024, a Ukrainian IT community was established in Barcelona, along with the opening of the first Ukrainian coworking space, which now serves as a hub for networking. Thanks to the organizers' efforts, a charitable Ukrainian pub quiz is regularly held in the city, and the stand-up school TU offers a platform for anyone to try performing on stage.
"It's important to emphasize that none of our events take place without collecting donations. Abroad, this is one of the most effective ways we can support those who enable us to continue living normal lives," says Priakhina.
The activist admits that no one in the community expected that the decision to organize a run would evolve into the creation of a large-scale community with a clear social mission.
The community's record: 100 participants ran 3 symbolic kilometers with URB during a charity race on Ukraine's 33rd Independence Day. Photo: URB
"We're not afraid to say that over the past year, we've become the backbone of the Ukrainian community in Barcelona," says the activist. "We've become the go-to channel for people arriving in a new city, looking to connect with 'their own.' What started as a small chat for running announcements with just 20 contacts has grown into a network of 1,300 participants engaged in dozens of sports and other projects.
Does it really work?
As a token of gratitude to the Barcelona community, Hurkit engraved their name on the grenade launchers they handed over to the 71st Brigade. Photo courtesy of Vlad Samoilenko
For the runners in Barcelona, collaboration with the Hurkit charity has been a cornerstone of their success and growth. This partnership has empowered the community to make a meaningful impact. All donations collected by URB are transferred to Hurkit, which uses the funds to regularly purchase weapons and equipment for air defense units—providing the military with essential tools to protect Ukrainian cities from enemy drones and missiles.
Dot calendar transferred from Ukraine to Barcelona. Photo: URB
The Hurkit team provides the running club with invaluable items to raffle off for additional donations. Even though they started fundraising for Hurkit in the summer of 2024, they have already raised around $5,400. With these funds, the team has purchased grenade launchers, UAVs, mortars, bombers, and air defense systems.
She and her team are thrilled that foreigners actively join their efforts. For them, it's a unique opportunity to share real stories about the war in Ukraine. At the same time, interactions with locals through the running club help Ukrainians adapt more easily to life abroad.
Priakhina emphasizes that the key to building a successful community is simply to take action. "There's no universal formula to prove that stand-ups or concerts are more effective than running. Each event in an active diaspora has its own audience, goals, and outcomes," she explains.
"It's also important to understand that everyone comes to a community with their own needs. The more diverse your events are, the greater the chances of attracting people to your next initiative. For instance, we realized that running can be intimidating for some. But when we introduced networking over a cup of coffee, we immediately saw new faces joining us," Priakhina shares from her experience.
The activist believes that successful community development depends on constantly refreshing the team with new, active participants who bring fresh ideas and energy. Priakhina emphasizes that experience shows no community, no matter how vibrant, can sustain itself passively. "You always need proactive people who can bring the audience together and create the right atmosphere for events. The more such individuals you have, the better," she says. Regularity is also crucial: "You need to keep people engaged so they continue coming back to the community."
"When running a marathon, there's a rule: don't stop, no matter how hard it gets. Similarly, building a community isn't a sprint—it's a long-distance race that requires significant resources," Priakhina explains. "The key is to keep moving at your own pace, surrounded by people who inspire and motivate you, even during tough times. Every kilometer covered is a small victory, and these victories will eventually lead to great success. Be patient, and the most important results will come in time," she advises.
Building communities also involves practical, down-to-earth considerations. For example, Priakhina points out that communities of this scale require funding for event spaces and necessary equipment, which often exceeds their own budget. For URB, securing sponsorship was a crucial step. In their case, the support came from Nova Post company. Thanks to this partnership, URB now has its own merchandise, which participants can receive in exchange for a donation—100% of which is directed to the Hurkit Foundation.
"If someone had told us a year ago that we'd achieve this, we probably wouldn't have believed it. But you just have to knock—and maybe knock more than once—and eventually, the door will open," says the activist with confidence.
