This month was all about meaning and connections between spaces and people, cities and ideas, business and care. We talked about developing urban environments, learned, and supported culture. We met with those who want to make a difference — and are already doing so. Here's a summary of the main points:
June 4 — Business and Urban Space: A Partnership for the Future
In Kyiv, within Kyiv School of Economics, a public discussion took place on how business can influence the development of cities and what is needed for this cooperation to be sustainable. The event brought together entrepreneurs, representatives of local authorities, activists, and researchers from various cities — Lutsk, Odesa, Lviv, Vinnytsia, and Ukrainka.
Among the speakers was Adam Kharlampovych, a co-founder of the "Algorythm" NGO.
They talked about the strategic cooperation of business with communities, institutional sustainability instead of one-time philanthropy, the importance of localizing solutions, and research as a prerequisite for any sustainable intervention in urban space.
The meeting became a platform for networking, sharing case studies, and starting new partnerships. The organizers were the KSE "Urbanism and Post-War Reconstruction" program , KSE Business School, the "Algorythm" NGO, and Urban Vision Lutsk.
June 11–13 — Lviv Urban Forum
"Algorythm" NGO team participated in the Lviv Urban Forum — a large-scale forum on the future of Ukrainian cities, which this year brought together over a thousand participants. The theme was "Building Continuity", how to preserve the connection between the past and present in urban planning and reconstruction.
For three days in Lviv, conversations revolved around architectural heritage, accessibility, resilience, and cultural memory. With international speakers, workshops, tours, and examples of real-life building and space restoration, the forum became a place for deep, interdisciplinary dialogue.
The "Algorythm" NGO joined the event as part of the Urban Vision Lutsk program. We filmed videos, participated in workshops, and prepared to host the urban community in September in Lutsk.
June 12 — Business Roast for Entrepreneurs: Marketing That Works
In the Diia.Business Entrepreneur Support Center in Lutsk, a "Business Roasting" event took place. It was an open experience-sharing event for entrepreneurs. Together with business owners and startup founders, they analyzed real-life cases, searched for solutions to marketing challenges, and shared what has already worked in practice.
The event was hosted by Vitaliy Okseniuk, founder of the agency "Marketer Oksenyuk's Office"
Concrete strategies were voiced, they worked on business challenges, and received feedback from experts and the entrepreneurial community. The format allowed them not only to hear advice but also to immediately apply it to their own projects.
June 13 — Trajectory 2: Seven Winners Who Will Develop Their Own Business
The educational and grant "Trajectory 2" program has been concluded at the Diia.Business Entrepreneur Support Center in Lutsk. The participants of the program were veterans, servicemen, and their family members. Over the course of two months, participants developed their business ideas, underwent training, worked with mentors, and prepared for an online pitching session.
Seven participants received funding ranging from 200 to 400 thousand hryvnias as a result of the program. The supported initiatives include modern evidence-based medicine, eco-friendly transport, cosmetology, mental health, Ukrainian clothing, and craft products.
The program showed that veteran and family businesses are a powerful force for the region's economy.
June 16 — Enrollment for the Second Round of the “Start in the World of PR” Course has Begun
After the successful completion of the first round, the Communication Academy "Koma" opened registration for the second round of the "Start in the World of PR" course — an educational program for those who want to master communications from scratch or strengthen their skills.
The course will last from July 26 to September 12 in a hybrid format: 9 online lectures, 6 offline workshops in Lutsk, teamwork on real cases for Volyn public organizations, mentoring sessions, and final presentations.
The team of speakers includes leading communications professionals from all over Ukraine — with experience in the public, business, and media sectors. Participants will receive practice, a team, a portfolio case, and a certificate — provided that 80% of the tasks are completed.
Selection results — July 15.
June 18 — Meeting with the AZOV.ONE Team
A meeting was held in Lutsk with the AZOV.ONE team and servicemen of the 12th Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine — about how business can join in supporting the army through real actions, partnerships, and fundraising.
Speakers — Vladyslav Khlopenko and Gennady Sukharnikov — defenders who are currently developing a platform for business-military interaction. With their participation, collaborations have already been implemented with Mad Heads, Dodo Socks, LITKOVSKA, Forbes, Franko Theater, PrivatBank, and other brands.
The event participants learned:
- how to integrate fundraising into business models;
- how to talk about war openly and responsibly;
- why supporting the army it is not just about aid, but also about leadership.
- The event brought together entrepreneurs, CSR specialists, and foundation representatives. The focus was on honest conversation, examples, focus groups, and how the voice of business can strengthen defense.
June 19 — Business excursion to misto.cafe
A business excursion to misto.cafe, a social impact cafe, took place in Lutsk. This is an example of social entrepreneurship, where 80% of net profit goes to projects that change the city.
Excursion participants learned about the journey from idea to implementation, got acquainted with the business model inspired by Urban Space 100, saw the inner kitchen of the space — an event hall, a sorting room, a shop — and became part of an open dialogue about sustainability, communities, and urban transformations.
The event took place as part of the "Mriyu.Diyu" (I Dream.I Act) project, organized by the Diia.Business entrepreneur support center in Lutsk.
June 26 — "Cousin Land" — a new exposition at 4/8 gallery
A new exhibition has opened in Lutsk at the open-air gallery 4/8 gallery — a painting by Polish artist Blažej Rusyn, created especially for the city. The work has become a visual essay about Volyn — not as a symbol, but as a path and a feeling.
"It's like a cousin's land. A land of people close to me by free choice," the author says.
His work invites viewers to travel through planes of colors and lines, ignite the imagination, and find a personal response: for those who stayed, those who arrived, and those who left.
4/8 gallery is an open-air art space. The exhibition is available 24/7 until the end of July at the address: Lutsk, Voli Ave., 49 (City Park).
June 29 — Registration for the Ukrainian Urban Forum 2025 is open
This year, UkrurbanForum will be held in Lutsk on September 19–20. The theme of the event is “Human Scale”: how urban policies, infrastructure, and design can respond to demographic challenges, mitigate the effects of war, and promote the development of people and communities.
The organizers — the Cedos think tank, in partnership with the "Algorythm" NGO and the Urban Vision Lutsk program — will focus on how to create cities where everyone has access to housing, mobility, social protection, and space for quality leisure
You can also apply for a PechaKucha (short public presentation with ideas, experiences, or case studies) in the form. Participation in the Forum is free, but requires prior registration.
June 30 — Second grant season of misto.cafe
The social impact cafe misto.cafe announced the winners of its second grant season. This time, the focus was on initiatives that develop a culture of care — for oneself, for each other, and for the community. Three organizations will receive funding to implement their projects for six months.
This season is special — dedicated to the memory of the colleague and friend of misto.cafe, Ruvim. The leitmotif “To Be. To Live. To Care” resonated in the submitted applications.
Who received support:
- • Lutsk city organization of the Union of ATO Soldiers of Volyn — UAH 90,800 for the mobile veteran business fair “I could do it — you can too!”.
- • Volyn Youth Center — UAH 48,680 for an emotional and artistic performance and exhibition "The Sixth Sense" for youth.
- • Pro Women UA — UAH 99,754 for wellness meetings and a support program for military families “United by Movement”.
The selection process took place in several stages — from technical review to pitching for the co-founders of misto.cafe. The format allowed initiatives not only to submit an application, but also to personally talk about the idea — honestly, emotionally, and live.
The grant seasons of misto.cafe are part of a social entrepreneurship model, where 80% of the net profit goes to support changes in the city.
