"This war has taught me a lot"
24 February 2025, marks three years since explosions shook Ukraine. Three years of full-scale invasion, ten years of war, and countless stories of pain, loss, and struggle. While Russian propaganda has tried to split the country into East and West, this war has only brought Ukrainians closer. A striking example of this is Urban Camp, a youth centre that has become a symbol of cooperation between Lviv, in the West, and Kharkiv, in the East—two cities united by a common fight and a shared vision for the future.
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from crisis response to a vibrant space for young people
In March 2022, the NGO Street Culture relocated from Kharkiv to Lviv. Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, has suffered from constant bombing which has forced a lot of people to relocate. Volunteers worked tirelessly near the railway station, offering food, shelter, and psychological aid to thousands of displaced people arriving in Lviv from the East. But the team’s commitment didn’t stop at the station. Determined to support their hometown, they sent 30 trucks carrying 600 tonnes of humanitarian aid back to Kharkiv. Some, like Viktor Chulanovskyi, a member of Street Culture, even donated his car to transport the humanitarian aid, which came under fire.
"I had no doubts. I knew we had to help those who stayed behind. And we did everything we could. It was like a calling," says Viktor.
Seeking long-term solutions, Street Culture approached the Lviv City Council with a proposal to create a space where young people and internally displaced people could find support and a temporary home. In response, they received a facility with 35 places to stay. It quickly evolved beyond a shelter into a vibrant centre, offering art therapy, yoga, psychological workshops, and sports activities. Soon, the team faced another challenge – they had to relocate again.
transforming an abandoned soviet-era Palace of Culture
Their next home was an abandoned Soviet-era Palace of Culture. Once the centre of Soviet culture, now left in ruins. The Urban Camp volunteer group and TVORY! network saw potential for creating a refuge for those who lost their homes to the war and for young people and cultural development. Volunteers from the youth organisation Building Ukraine Together, students of the Ukrainian Catholic University, the TVORY! team, and architects from Urban Reform (form Kharkiv and Kyiv) joined forces. Over 5,000 square meters of rubbish were cleared, transforming this forgotten space into a contemporary youth centre where street culture and community could thrive.
"We saw that the Palace of Culture could become a new home for many people. There was chaos here at the beginning - humanitarian headquarters, rubble, dirt, and old furniture. But we realised that only through work and joint efforts could we revive this place. So we started working - fast, determined, together. This was our key to success," says Viktor, who later became the head of Urban Camp.
a safe home and a new beginning
Volunteers organised accommodation for displaced families, prioritising mothers with children, young people, and teenagers. Beyond a roof over their heads, residents found psychological support, education and cultural activities that helped them heal and rebuild their lives. There was no pressure, no time limit—people stayed as long as they needed to get back on their feet.
"This war has taught me a lot. First of all, there is no division of Ukraine into Western and Eastern Ukraine. The people we work with are understanding and support each other. No one looks at who came from where. Each of us has friends who are now at the frontline, and we realise that either we work together or we will have nothing," adds Viktor.
symbol of strength and unity
Urban Camp has become an example of how to breathe new life into old buildings. The restoration of the Palace of Culture blended historical architecture with a modern, functional space for young people—a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal.
"We didn't just create a space - we proved that revival is possible. We have turned an abandoned building into a place of strength where young people continue to live, work, and develop. And this is not the end - we will continue to work because the struggle continues," says Viktor.
Urban Camp in the European Youth Capital 2025
Today, Urban Camp is a part of the TVORY! network - the youth organisation behind Lviv’s title - and one of the crucial initiatives of the European Youth Capital 2025. It has become more than just a temporary shelter for internally displaced Ukrainians. It is a place where a generation that does not want to sit still is being formed.
Yet the European Youth Capital story doesn't end in Lviv. "This title is not only about Lviv but also about every city and town in Ukraine. We are building a youth capital here and now, but I dream of bringing this experience and everything we have learned to Kharkiv. I dream of creating a place there to symbolise a new life, unity, and opportunities for young people," says Viktor.
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