“Voices of Defenders” is a long-term Ukrainian–Danish project aimed at supporting creators of social change in Ukraine: young defenders and military volunteers. The project is implemented by the YMCA Lviv team in partnership with KFUM og KFUK i Danmark, with funding from CISU (Civil Society in Development), Denmark. The project began in February 2025 and will run until February 2028. However, we hope to continue and expand the work initiated here, as the need existed before, exists now, and will continue to exist in the future.

The comprehensive support provided by the “Voices of Defenders” project for young veterans and volunteers (aged 19–35) integrates four key areas: reintegration, personal development, rights advocacy, and the creation of a safe environment.

Project activities include:

  • publication of collections of short stories by veterans and volunteers, translated into Danish and English;

  • publicly available playlists featuring audio short stories by defenders and volunteers;

  • art-based rehabilitation through singing;

  • performances by Ukrainian veterans and volunteers at the Danish festival Folkemødet;

  • joint media literacy and leadership training for Ukrainian and Danish youth;

  • stage reading courses;

  • meaningful performative stage productions;

  • an advocacy campaign in support of young activists;

  • a communication campaign aimed at amplifying the voices of young veterans and volunteers.

The special mission of the “Voices of Defenders” project is to shape the public image of veterans and volunteers through their own creative expression.

Voice actors during the recording of short stories

Over the course of three years, the project plans to publish an annual collection of short stories by ten authors (young defenders and volunteers). In addition to the printed edition, the stories will be recorded in audio format, and playlists will be made available for free listening and radio broadcasting.

“Even the most beautiful image of a Hero is meaningless if we fail to see the living people behind it. The only way to create an authentic image of a veteran is to give defenders themselves the opportunity to speak about who they are. No one can explain the value of life better than those who protect it every day,”
says Yurko Vovkohon, coordinator of the Voices of Defenders project and a veteran of the Russian–Ukrainian war.

Amazing people with our short story collection Voices of Defenders Vol. 1

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The creation of “Voices of Defenders Vol. 1” is part of the Ukrainian–Danish project of the same name, aimed at supporting young defenders and military volunteers in Ukraine. It is implemented by the YMCA-YWCA Lviv team in partnership with KFUM og KFUK i Danmark, with support from CISU (Civil Society in Development), Denmark. Over the next two years, Volumes 2 and 3 are planned for publication.