One year of the House in Mykolaiv and three years of the House in Kyiv — what role have they come to play?
On January 24, the space of the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House in Mykolaiv marked one year since its opening. On February 18, the House in Kyiv celebrated its third anniversary.
Over this time, the Houses have been filled with bold ideas, first attempts, open dialogue, and the energy of thousands of young people, organizations, and cultural and public institutions. It’s a moment to reflect on the role these physical spaces have come to play.
We asked young creators and organizations what these spaces mean in their lives. Dive in.
I come to the Youth House in Mykolaiv to work, but this work feels more like creating than just completing tasks. If I had to describe the atmosphere in one word, it would be freedom — not chaotic freedom, but the kind that springs from trust. When you come to the House, you feel like you can think more broadly, try new things, and do things the way you believe is right.
For the team and me, the Youth House has become a place of opportunity and a space where ideas stop being just thoughts and begin to take shape.
Thanks to spaces like this, young people’s perspectives begin to shift. When they come to the House, they start to view public spaces differently. They begin to see them as living environments where they can express themselves, create, and make a difference. And at some point, a simple yet crucial realization sets in: they, too, can be part of the change.
Since I’m a displaced person from Kherson, it was really important for me to have some positive experiences in my new home, because the first few months of adjusting were tough.
Ever since I started hosting film screenings at the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House, Mykolaiv has finally revealed a different side of itself to me. At our film screenings, I met several interesting people; I think that if it weren’t for the House, our paths would hardly have crossed. This space can bring together vibrant, extraordinary people — and that’s what matters most.
For us as an organization, it’s very important that the House provides this space.
Especially during such a harsh winter. And for our students—people with developmental disabilities—it’s very important to have this consistency in their classes.
At the House, they’re already forming a community. Many students don’t have opportunities to socialize, but the House is a place where they come to interact and start making friends. Their parents are part of it, too.
And generally, if it weren’t for the House, we wouldn’t be able to hold our classes, because it’s very difficult to find a space. There wouldn’t be a theater lab. But here, they begin to open up and become different people.
One day, we asked the students to draw “their best hangout.” And one of the guys drew the House and his friends. So, for him, “the best hangout” is right here.
We hold charity concerts featuring a variety of instruments: saxophone, piano, kobza, bandura, and flute. We perform Ukrainian songs, as well as well-known foreign songs, and original compositions. Our goal is to promote Ukraine’s musical culture and, whenever possible, to support charitable causes.
Without exaggeration, the House has become a place for us that fully lives up to its name and is associated with our warmest memories. We can no longer imagine our activities separate from this space.
It is a great opportunity to realize our creative potential, promote culture, and engage the public in important causes, as well as to meet incredible people 🤍
For me, the Youth House in Mykolaiv has become a place where the community truly comes alive. It’s a very valuable space for reflecting on our progress, sharing experiences, and having honest conversations about our shared journey.
I would describe the atmosphere here as very warm and open. It’s a space where people come not just for an event, but to be together: to talk, share experiences, and find support for their ideas. Plus, it’s just very cozy here — and that creates an atmosphere where you want to stay longer.
For our team, the House has become a hub for gathering and growth. Thanks to it, we can meet regularly, strengthen ties among program alumni, and support active young people in the region. I believe that places like this are what build a true community and spark new initiatives.
Back at the winter MeetUp, I thought that Youth House could be renamed Youth Home. “Home” brings to mind a warm, cozy place where you can always hang out with friends and meet new people.
So far, I have mostly visited the Youth House for events. Although once I even organized a literary evening as part of the “Volunteer Ambassadors” program by the NGO “Building Ukraine Together.”
Even before I started organizing the event, I knew I wanted to hold it at the House, because for me it’s the best youth space in Mykolaiv. So, over the past year, the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House has opened my eyes and turned me into a true young civic activist. I found a team for future projects, joined several nationwide and one international program, and unlocked my potential.
For me, the House is a place with a strong foundation for developing cultural initiatives and gaining unique experiences. Here, young people have the support and space they need to bring their own projects to life.
I want to return to the House because it is here that a community of creative and engaged people is centered, forming a community and creating opportunities for collaboration that are hard to find elsewhere.
This is exactly what makes a difference— because it encourages us to think bigger.
For me, the House has become a place of warmth and safety. I come here for events or to work when the power is out at home
Right now, the House is a space that welcomes me with open arms and gives me the chance to see friends, meet wonderful new people, and feel confident that I can make an important call without any worries.
It’s about the peace of mind and joy that comes from knowing there’s a place in this bustling city where you’re always welcome.
The Ukrainian-Danish Youth House is truly a home — a home for ideas and creativity!
As a co-organizer of the “Between the Lines” club, I can confidently say that the House in Mykolaiv has given us a powerful boost for our growth! We held our very first club lecture right here at the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House!
This space gave us new members, a fresh perspective, and an awesome experience of hosting a major event. Thank you, House—this is NOT our last meeting!
For me, the Youth House is a place where I can be creative. It’s not just about hosting events, but about creating a space of my own where people start talking about things they usually keep hidden. A place for encounters. A meeting of people, ideas, and very different experiences. Some come for the first time, others return again, and from this, conversations, projects, and friendships are born.
For me, the House has become something like a creative workshop. A place where you can invent, experiment, seek new forms, and share this with others.
I often come to the House to work. We get together, make plans, and brainstorm.
Unfortunately, most of my team not only works remotely but is also physically located in different countries. I really miss having people around me. And for me, the House has become, above all, a place where I can find people who are also active, young, passionate about their ideas, and where I can be inspired by their work, even in small, casual conversations.
Another point is that I can concentrate much better here than at home.
It seems to me that in Kyiv, and in Ukraine in general, even despite the lockdown, the number of people who would simply like to come, find like-minded people, organize an event, and engage in two-way communication is growing. And so, for example, I was once invited as a guest speaker at an event at the House.
Since I’m a freelancer, I don’t have an office right now. There are a lot of power outages at home, and according to the thermometer, it’s sometimes around 10 degrees. That’s why I come to the House, and I like it here. I’ve also been to a few events.
Right now, I’m working on my English-language book here.
In general, at the House, I feel what I was missing in my 20s. When I come here and see the events, the graffiti on the walls, and see that people are given different opportunities, I feel the support I didn’t have back then. Maybe that’s exactly why I’m drawn to Dom, and not just because it’s a place to work. Because Dom is open to anyone who needs it.