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Akim is an activist of the NGO “Ukrainian Students for Freedom” and the current head of the Kropyvnytskyi branch. He joined the organization in 2024 through the Leadership Program, where he first learned about USF and was inspired by the ideas of freedom. He was born and resides in the small and picturesque town of Oleksandriia in the Kirovohrad region. Since 2021, he has been studying Software Engineering at a college. Akim actively participates in various trainings, seminars, and informal educational programs, such as the “USF Project School” and the “USF Regional School.” He is also actively involved in implementing youth policy in his community.
For me, freedom is primarily about conscious choice and the absence of imposed restrictions. When I am free, I can speak openly, think freely, create, act, and live while adhering to the principle of respect for others. Freedom gives me the opportunity to make decisions guided by my own beliefs and values, without fear of judgment or coercion.
At the same time, I understand that absolute freedom is an illusion. Life is a constant balance between our desires, opportunities, and the limitations imposed by our surroundings, society, or even the laws of nature. True freedom, however, lies not in the complete absence of boundaries but in the ability to accept them and find your path within them.
This is why I value the work of «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» — an organization that not only promotes the ideas and values of freedom but also creates opportunities for personal and societal development.
Konstantin is an activist in the NGO ‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom’ and a volunteer in the NGO ‘Krop.hub’. He is a young and energetic guy with a lot of ideas. He grew up in the glorious city of Kropyvnytskyi, the center of Ukraine. He studies in the 11th grade at the European Education Lyceum, where he is the head of the student government. Since grade 10, he has been the chairman of the City Parliament of Children. He joined the USF in the summer, in August 2023, at the Leadership Program. Immediately after the PLP, not knowing the rules of the organization, he held an open lecture ‘Introduction to the USF’ for everyone. Since October 2023, he has been a member of the Youth Council of Kropyvnytskyi. Since the 1st grade, he has been dancing, but is not very fond of it. In general, he is interested in political science, economics, leadership, military weapons and events. She plans to study management in Slovakia, where she dreams of opening a USF chapter and introducing her Slovak friends and classmates to such a wonderful public organization.
‘USF is an opportunity that you should hold on to and not let go of, because if you do, you will regret it. That’s how I describe this wonderful non-governmental organization, with which I spent only 5 days, but received so much valuable knowledge and motivation that will last for a whole year. Nowadays, the ideas of freedom are very necessary for our society, because there are still people who are drawn to the politics of dictatorship and totalitarianism. But these regimes are not compatible with the freedom that prevails in Western countries. Therefore, thanks to organizations such as the USF, we are able to experience and learn to appreciate freedom and promote it around the world.’
Oleksandr is an activist of the USF. He was born in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. After graduating from the Physics and Mathematics Lyceum, he entered the Faculty of History of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 2018. From the first year he became interested in military-historical reenactment, recreating the images of the UPR and UIA soldiers. Subsequently, the hobby transformed into the project “Military Historical Society of Students”, which was engaged in the popularization of military history. In the scientific field, he studies the experience of NATO military operations outside the Alliance and decolonization processes in the twentieth century. He became interested in the libertarian movement at the end of 2021, at the Anti-Corruption Forum in Kyiv. In 2022, he finally joined the organization.
“We live in a historic time. The time of the Third War for Independence. We lost two times. We have no right to the third one. I joined the organization because I do not want to stay outside this process. I am convinced that there can be no free life in the future without the memory of freedom in the past”.
Daria is a creative activist of the USS. She was born in Kropyvnytskyi. In her school years, she began to develop her leadership potential through school self-government and political schools. Since 2019, she has been studying International Law at the Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law, and is an active member of the scientific department of the university’s Stud Council.
Daria is interested in the ecological agenda and feminism. In her free time, she debates, visits Model UN, and studies foreign languages.
‘For me, freedom is about the desire to act according to one’s own beliefs, about the absence of fear.’
Kateryna was born and raised in Kropyvnytskyi. During 2002-2015 she professionally danced in the folk choreographic ensemble “Snowdrop”. A graduate of the Central Ukrainian Scientific Boarding Lyceum of the Kirovohrad Regional Council. She graduated in political science at the Volodymyr Vynnychenko Central Ukrainian State Pedagogical University (2019) and in public administration and administration at the National Academy of Public Administration, under the President of Ukraine (2020). The main interest is youth and educational policy. She was an active member of the branches of public organizations “Let’s do it, Ukraine!” (coordinator of the eco-festival CHISTOFEST), “FRI” (activist), “Ukrainian Association of Students” ( the creation and head of the regional department 2018-2019, president of the organization December 2019 – April 2020). Her achievements include the revival of the city’s youth council and the creation of a regional youth council. She studies memes as a political technology and a tool for influencing the consciousness of the electorate. Believes that the public sector needs to implement an institutional approach in its activities, as well as adhere to the values declared by them.
‘I knew about USF since its inception, but joined in 2021. What is this organization about? I will answer in the words of W. Churchill: “Hawks fly higher if they fly against the wind.” USF is really like that because the desire to live in freedom and be free is strengthened in the actions they take. I know for sure that joining the USF is a significant period of my life.’
Olena is a 2021 USF fuctioner in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. She grew up in the small town of Bobrynets, in the Kirovohrad region, but since 2016 she lives and studies in Kropyvnytskyi. From 2016 to 2019, she studied Accounting and Taxation at one of the city’s colleges. Since 2019, he has been studying at the Central Ukrainian National Technical University, majoring in management.
For me, USF is about people, opportunities for development and the realization of one’s ideas. This is where I can feel free. Free to express my thoughts, ideas, and hypotheses and know that I will not be judged for it.