In its first year of operation, the youth eco-space brought together 1,126 participants across 85 events, organised in collaboration with 20 experts and practitioners from local initiatives, and became a platform for the implementation of 14 environmental and educational projects.
The idea for Zelenyi Val emerged at the beginning of 2025 amid the challenges faced by the climate movement in Ukraine during the full-scale war. Many environmental activists lost resources or the ability to plan long-term initiatives. In response, the team at Greenpeace Ukraine decided to create a space that would strengthen the environmental movement and support new grassroots initiatives.
The official opening of the eco-space took place in February 2025. During the first stage of the project (2024), 66 local initiatives united around Zelenyi Val, and 715 people attended events held in the space.
By the summer of 2025, the space had developed into an active platform for collaboration: 312 community members joined the network and became co-organisers of 16 events. Around the initiative, a network of about 20 experts, practitioners and speakers also formed, helping to organise educational, artistic and activist activities.
One of the key directions of the space’s work was a pilot mentorship programme for youth leaders. The programme brought together 15 participants and 6 mentors, who jointly implemented six environmental projects and one partially completed project. These initiatives included greening public transport stops, the climate crisis exhibition “Point of No Return,” a series of eco-education events for youth in Nizhyn, a SWAP party for exchanging clothes and items, and other grassroots initiatives.
Another important achievement of the year was strengthening cooperation among climate organisations. Ten organisations working in the climate field jointly developed the concept of the Ukrainian Climate Week. In 2025, this initiative united more than 150 events, over 5,000 participants, 75 towns and cities, and 23 regions of Ukraine, including frontline communities.
Supporting local eco-initiatives in the regions also became a key direction of the project. In 2025, eight grassroots projects received funding to implement their own environmental and educational initiatives — ranging from climate education for school students to composting programmes and the creation of ecological routes.
Throughout the year, Zelenyi Val also became part of the everyday life of the community. The space hosts regular activities such as a Speaking Club and Kyiv History Club for school students, and during power outages it operated as an open and free coworking space for the community.
The eco-space also contributes to international cooperation. In 2025, members of the Zelenyi Val community took part in an international exchange of climate activists in Budapest, where they presented the Ukrainian climate movement and established new partnerships.
Today, Zelenyi Val serves as a platform that brings together youth, activists and local initiatives to develop environmental projects and strengthen the climate movement in Ukraine.
The team invites everyone interested in environmental initiatives to join the community and work together toward a greener future for Ukraine.
