Ternopil

Marian joined the USS in 2025. He lives in Ternopil and studies at FKEPIT of WUNU, majoring in “Entrepreneurship and Trade.” He has been engaged in aircraft modeling since 2015, and during the war he helped the Armed Forces of Ukraine by creating drones.
He actively participates in youth events and trainings, and is interested in public activities and entrepreneurship. The ideas of freedom are close to his spirit.

«I believe that freedom is not an abstract concept but a true goal that one should consciously strive toward. That is why the ideas of the USS are close to me, as it brings together people who are ready to act and change reality. For me, the USS is a tool that helps not only to talk about freedom but also to bring it to life.

"Crying has never given freedom to anyone, but he who fights — conquers the world."»

Maksym was born in the city of Kostyantynivka, where he graduated from school. Since 2023, he has been studying at the Ivan Pulyuy Ternopil National Technical University, majoring in computer engineering. He joined the organization in 2025.

«This public organization has wonderful people and cool activities. I like it. Freedom should be valued, not everyone has it.»

Maksym is an active member of the civic movement and a native of the beautiful city of Ternopil. Like everyone else, he finished school, went to college, and later to university — yet his path turned out to be far from ordinary.

From a young age, Maksym kept searching for himself in different fields: at 13 he distributed flyers, at 14 he worked in sales, and by 15 he already managed his own small stand at local fairs. At 17, he began his career as an office worker in the position of graphic assistant, and at 18 founded his own video game development team.

At 19, driven by the desire for independence and experience, he worked as a system administrator and later completed an internship in the Department of Strategic Urban Development at the City Council.

Despite his activity, for a long time Maksym didn’t consider himself someone capable of making a meaningful contribution to society through civic engagement. Everything changed after participating in the Leadership Program, which opened to him the world of community initiatives. There he realized how powerful it is to be part of a team united by a common goal — and how deeply it can transform one’s life.

Today, Maksym is someone driven by growth, action, and new challenges. His life is filled with forums, projects, and initiatives that aim to make society better — something that became possible thanks to the inspiring people he met during the Leadership Program.

«The most important kind of freedom is to be who you truly are — because freedom is nothing but a chance to become better.»

Kamila - member of USF from 2025. Activist and public figure. Favourite quote: “Even small advantage is good , because advantage isn’t the disadvantage”.

“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Ivan is a volunteer, traveler, blood donor, and street-ager. In 2019, he began his volunteer journey with the Chortkivsky Pass cycling race and the Fine City festival. Later, in 2021, he resumed his volunteer activities and joined the first NGOs, where he began to create and attend events, meet people and travel around Ukraine. And in 2024, he participated in the Leadership Program and joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. To be continued)

I am happy because I am writing these words freely now.
The ability to make decisions is freedom, and the kind of decisions you make determine how free a person you become.

Alexandre Khomych has been an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Liberty (USF) since 2024. He was born in Portugal but moved to Ukraine at a very young age. He grew up and studied in Ternopil, where he graduated from high school in 2023 and enrolled at the Ternopil National Technical University named after Ivan Puluj. Since early 2022, he has volunteered with the "Hearts of Freedom" charitable foundation, and in the summer of 2024, after participating in the "Leadership Program," he became an activist of the USF.

Freedom is the oxygen for self-development. Without it, it is impossible to grow personally or to develop one’s country. That is why, for me, it is the most important ideal. People in the USF, like no one else, share these ideals and carry them to the people. It is thanks to them, to individuals from organizations with similar ideas, and to conscious Ukrainians that we can change our country for the better. I believe in this and truly hope for it.

Veronika was born and grew up in the Khmelnytskyi region. She learned about the USF in 2024 and applied for the annual Leadership Programme, thanks to which she joined the organisation that same year. She entered her dream speciality, history and archaeology, at the Volodymyr Hnatiuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University in 2025.

««...compare all the gold of the land
Against our freedom, it's just dirty sand...»»

Sofiia-Bohdana has been a USF activist since August 2024. She was born, raised, and graduated from high school in Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk region, and has been living in Ternopil for the past 4 years, as she entered the Western Ukrainian University in 2021 to study Tourism. In 2020, she joined the newly created Youth Council in her hometown, where her civic work began. In December 2021, she became one of the co-founders of the Hyzhka Youth Center in her hometown, and later began working there as a project manager and GESI-consultant. At the age of 19, she won her first grant for $5,000 and later implemented her first grant, which aimed to counteract gender discrimination and stereotypes about women in the community. In 2023, she became acquainted with the USF during the Freedom Fire forum held in Ternopil, where her journey of learning about libertarian values began. Later, in the same year, she joined the team of volunteers at the NGO Ternopil Youth Center, where she still volunteers today. In June 2024, she became a youth worker, and in August of the same year, she joined the NGO Ukrainian Students for Freedom as an activist. “For me, 'Freedom' is a right that, unfortunately, has to be fought for, that is not given to you for free. It is an opportunity to realize one's potential and dreams. It is an opportunity to be creative and to bring benefit and contribution to the development of civil society”.

Freedom means responsibility, which is why most people are afraid of it.
George Bernard Shaw

Tetiana was born and resides in Ternopil. Since her school days, she actively participated in student self-government. She is pursuing a master's degree in «Finance, Banking, and Insurance» at Ternopil National Technical University (TNTU). She has practical experience in providing financial consultations and forming investment portfolios. She joined the USF (Ukrainian Students for Freedom) in the summer of 2023, where she was inspired by the idea of libertarianism.

«USF is a powerful community united by the idea of Freedom. We first met at the Leadership Program, and I was pleasantly surprised by the concentration of intelligent, ambitious, and progressive young people. I resonate with their vibe and values, so I am proud to be a part of USF».

Kateryna has been an activist of the USF since 2023. Originally from the city of Ternopil. Now she is studying in the 3rd year of her master's degree at TNMU named after I. Ya. Gorbachevskiy in the specialty "medicine". Since 2019, she has been actively involved in volunteering, has been teaching First Aid for 3 years, and shares her knowledge and experience with the public. In 2021 - 2023, she was a deputy of the Youth City Council. The USF met in 2022 and has not parted with the idea of freedom since then.

«FREEDOM is the taste of the air you inhale and exhale».

Sofia is a USF activist. She was born in a small village in the Khmelnytskyi region, where she graduated from school. In 2021, she entered the Khmelnytskyi Economic and Legal Professional College of the MAUP majoring in Law, where she took an active part in the public life of the city. Later, in 2023, she entered the Western Ukrainian National University majoring in Information Technologies, where she continues to study.

«Let's be free!»

Oleksandra is an activist of the USF. She grew up in the metallurgical city of Kryvyi Rih, where not only metal is hardened, but also character. In 2019, she entered Ternopil Medical University. In her alma mater, she joined the ranks of student self-government, trying to improve the conditions of study and development of students. While studying to be a doctor, you understand as much as possible how important volunteering is, so he also takes an active part in this field. Sincerity, empathy, and humor are part of her life, which is harmoniously combined with the frantic rhythm of everyday life.

«For me, USF is not just a civil organization, it is an incredible team of young and motivated people who inspire you. Youth is a leading force that must fight and defend its Freedom».