Cultural Platform Zakarpattya NGO with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine, has opened the third KONTENTA audiovisual studio in the Kharkiv region (and the thirteenth in general) in the city of Balakliia.
The “KONTENTA” audiovisual studies project aims to improve the creative skills of teenagers and youth in Ukrainian communities to ensure the sustainability of the creative economy. It promotes the development of emotional intelligence and mental health of participants. Establishing studios in frontline regions is one of the project’s priorities, which aims to support young people’s mental resilience in times of uncertainty. Two KONTENTA studios have already been functioning in the Kharkiv region since April, in the Kehychivka and Valky youth centers.
Balakliia was under Russian occupation from March 3 to September 8, 2022. Located just 80 km from the frontline (as of August 6, 2024), the city still remains close to active hostilities. On the way to the city, you can see the destruction caused by the hostilities and the ubiquitous signs warning of mined areas on both sides of the road.
“Young people all over the world have difficulties with mental health and motivation. But just imagine: if these people heard an air raid alert or the sound of a missile at least once, what would happen to them? And our Ukrainian youth go through it all, work through it, and stay capable of creating. Most of them are resilient. And no one can explain this phenomenon. But I think many movies will be made and books will be written about it. This is a phenomenon of the era”
Yevhen Zabarylo, head of the Cultural Platform Zakarpattya NGO board
The studios’ installation on the deoccupied territories helps to foster social cohesion. Also, it’s a way for youth to connect with other communities within the project framework. The studio’s installation took place during one of the longest air alerts in the region lasting for 1 day and 7 hours.
On July 10, the KONTENTA audiovisual studios project became active in the newly opened Resilience Center in the “CUBE” Balakliia Youth Center. The opening was also attended by the Minister of Social Policy, Oksana Zholnovych.
Location of the KONTENTA studio on the tactile mnemonic scheme of the room—integration of inclusive infrastructure into youth centers
As part of First Lady Olena Zelenska’s All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program, the Ministry of Social Policy is creating Resilience Centers. These centers serve as friendly, barrier-free spaces where every community member can get mental help and psychological guidance, and attend group support classes.
“The basis of community resilience is its cohesion. That’s why the work of the Resilience Centers is focused on forming centers of mutual support”
says Oksana Zholnovych.
Oksana Zholnovych looking at the KONTENTA audiovisual studio (photo: “CUBE” Youth Center)
The Cultural Platform Zakarpattya NGO, working with the Social and Behavioral Change Section of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ukraine, focuses on social cohesion among young people through creative practices. The KONTENTA studios empower teenagers and youth to express themselves, develop their projects, and explore the Ukrainian musical tradition, all while improving their mental health.
“Having a studio in our youth center is a huge step forward for our community as a way to unite through common projects and activities. I am planning to use KONTENTA to record podcasts on various topics that are interesting to our youth. I already have a few ideas for future projects. One of them is a series of podcasts about the youth center team, where everyone will share their story, difficulties on the way to creating this invaluable space, and their own experience. I also want to invite local talented people to discuss their achievements and how they managed to succeed in their domains.”
— Danylo Ilinskyi, 17 years old
“The studio will become a platform where we, as a cover band from our community, can implement our creative ideas without leaving our city. As a member of a metal band, I am planning to use KONTENTA to record demo versions of our tracks. This will help us to showcase our music to a wider audience and possibly find new fans. Overall, I see a huge potential in the studio and I am sure that it will help young people to unleash their creativity!”
— Yerin Pavlo, 18 years old
Balakliia’s youth interacting with the studio during the opening
The KONTENTA project operates through a social franchise model, with Cultural Platform Zakarpattya NGO assisting youth centers in setting up and launching the studios, and offering mentorship and support. In the future, the NGO team plans to return to Balakliia to conduct a workshop on the use of studio equipment for youth workers and a series of events at the studio.
By the end of 2024, Cultural Platform plans to open 20 KONTENTA studios in different communities across the country with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine.
Photo: Cultural Platform Zakarpattya NGO
Anastasiya Mishustina
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