Andrii was born in Kyiv, where he lives and studies now. In 2019, he was selected for the Aspen Institute’s «Horizons of the Future 3.0» programme. In the 11th grade of school, he became interested in the history of Ukraine, realising the huge need for change and the importance of being an active citizen. Consequently, in 2021, he entered the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to study Political Science, where he is currently studying. He organised meetings, lectures, and discussions at the Events department of the NGO «Political Science Students Association». He completed an internship at the NGO «Centre for Social Transformations». For 2 years, he worked as a layout designer and editor of books on historical and political topics. Became a USF activist after the Leadership Programme in 2024. He participates in the activities of the Kyiv branch of the «Youth Nationalist Congress», an NGO dedicated to the development and education of conscious youth in Ukraine.

«Our nation pays a huge price for the right to have Freedom.
We need to live with this Idea in our hearts every day and every second.
Cherishing the values of freedom is a duty given to oneself.»

Nazari was born in 2003 in the city of Vinnytsia, later moved to the city of Chernihiv. Before the full-scale invasion, he began studying at the Chernihiv Basic Medical College as a young medical practitioner. After the start of a large-scale commercial offer for myself, volunteering is a large sector in which we are actively engaged in active activities. I fell headlong into the development of youth through the public sector and became the founder of the NGO “Historical Club “Simargl”, which is engaged in the development and popularization of the history and culture of Ukraine and Chernihiv.
Later he coordinated anti-trafficking trainings in the Chernihiv region from the IOM. He was a member of the public organization “Ukrainian Monolith” in which he was engaged in projects aimed at psycho-emotional support of young people, organizing an all-Ukrainian intensive for psycho-emotional support. Subsequently, he became the chairman and founder of the Chernihiv debate center, which is aimed at the development of youth. In 2024, he discovered Ukrainian students for freedom, through the leadership program, which coincided with the values ​​of freedom and libertarianism, and now he sees his development in this organization.
In 2025, he became an assistant to a deputy of the Chernihiv City Council.

For me, Ukrainian Students for Freedom is an organization that aligns with my principles and values. The values ​​of freedom, which is focused on individualism, economic, psychological, social. I sincerely believe that it is freedom that will become the driver of Ukraine’s development through the unfolding of the potential of different people. Therefore, for me, Ukrainian students for freedom are an organization that is changing and will continue to change Ukraine for the better.

Bohdan, 17 years old, was born and raised in the city of Halych. He graduated from the Yaroslav Oslomysl Galician Lyceum. He is currently studying at Lviv National University, majoring in Marketing. In 2024, he joined the libertarian movement, taking part in the leadership program of Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He is professionally engaged in boxing, leads an active social life, and is developing himself as a young entrepreneur.

Freedom is the right of every person to live according to their own choices, take responsibility for their actions, and freely realize their potential. Students are the best suited to embody these values. The youth of the OSS are open to new ideas, boldly question outdated approaches, and strive for change. The Leadership Program is an environment that creates a platform for the exchange of ideas, the development of leadership, and the formation of an active civic position. That is why students are the key to spreading the ideas of freedom and building a progressive society.

Yuryn Fyodor – was born in the Kharkiv region, I am currently in Poltava at the vet. In addition, we work on specialization, but her specialization also helps me. I play volleyball.

Freedom is the best that can be

Anastasiia is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. She grew up in the city of Vinnytsia, where she graduated from school. From 2022 she studies at KPI named after Ihor Sikorsky, majoring in “Systems Analysis”. Joined the organisation in 2024.

I believe that a person is completely free only when he /she takes responsibility for his/her life and decisions. I want the people around me to become more responsible and understand that the quality of their lives largely depends on themselves. This understanding will help to develop and improve the general standard of living of society. I like that such active people, who also strive to develop Ukraine, gather in the USF.

Anastasia – member of the USF from PL 24. Was born and raised in Kyiv, and is currently studying at the college connected with SUTE. She has been involved in volunteer activities since 2024. Interesting fact: she had a turtle.

Freedom is something we are born with and something we can choose for ourselves in the future. I sincerely wish that everyone could consciously choose for themselves the freedom to express themselves, to act, to live their lives. Freedom begins with you and for you.

Angelina is an activist of the Ukrainian Student for Freedom , joined in 2024. She grew up and lived in the city of Kherson until 2022. Currently lives in Kyiv. She studies at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in Computer Science. Since 2021, she has been engaged in volunteer activities in various fields, both humanitarian and various charitable events. In 2024, volunteering is involved in the StudMentor program with the support of the international organization UNICEF.

For me, Freedom is not only about free choice, but also about responsibility, freedom cannot be without responsibility for one’s actions and deeds. I remember well 1 phrase that I once heard: “your freedom ends where the freedom of others begins”. This phrase is in my head every time I think about freedom, enter into a discussion, make a decision. Ukrainian Student for Freedom for me is about choice, about freedom, about actions, about thoughts about the future and changing it for the better.

He was born in the city of Khmelnytskyi, where he spent his first years of life. He studied at school No. 10, which became the place where his character was formed and his first conscious aspirations for knowledge. Even during his school years, he began to take an active interest in public life, which later grew into active participation in public initiatives.

After graduating from school, he entered the Khmelnytskyi Polytechnic Vocational College, where he mastered the profession of a programmer. It was here that his interest in technology and desire to develop in the field of information technology manifested themselves. However, his love of creativity and art always accompanied him, providing inspiration for new ideas and projects.

The next stage of education is associated with studying at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Here he not only improved his professional skills, but also continued to actively participate in public life, striving to positively influence the community.

His personality combines a deep passion for art, technology and public activity, which creates a unique approach to life and professional activity.

Freedom, freedom and more freedom!🗽

He was born and raised in a Ukrainian Sloboda (Sumy). He graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in management. He is sincere and cheerful. Half of the city knows him. He actively participates in everything that seems interesting to him, and he is interested in everything. That’s why he joined the USF, VidNOVA:UA, and works for the benefit of the BazaIT startup, so he can help you find a job in IT.

Svoboda? Is that a political party?! Just kidding…

Ruslana was born in the contrasting city of Sumy. She researched its history a little (and maybe even gave a tour). At first she went to school, and later entered a gymnasium (passing the exams in the second attempt). Now she is studying at Lviv Polytechnic National University, majoring in Transport Technologies. I got acquainted with USF in 2023 after attending an event in Sumy on anti-corruption. In 2024, I completed the Leadership Programme and became a USF activist. To be continued…

“The truth is that we are not yet free; we have merely achieved the freedom to be free, the right not to be oppressed. We have not taken the final step of our journey, but the first step on a longer and even more difficult road. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. The true test of our devotion to freedom is just beginning”-Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

She grew up in the city of Vinnytsia and always knew she would study either in Lviv or Ivano-Frankivsk. In 2022, she enrolled at the Ukrainian Catholic University in the Ethics-Politics-Economics program. She is passionate about traditional Ukrainian jewelry, the ethno band Eteria, and dancing with the group Dryh.

“Freedom is the ability to live by your own choice, without coercion or pressure, but with respect for others. For me, it is the right to choose my path and develop my abilities without restrictions or directives from ‘outside.'”

Kateryna is an activist of the USS.
Born and lives in Kyiv.
She loves to read and learn, but it was not easy to go to school because of her principledness, straightforwardness and rebellious spirit.
Since 2023 she has been studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy as a programmer, but she is not going to be one – she truly finds herself in creativity. She likes to embody fictional stories in music, drawings and texts. She believes that she should show her views on life, in particular on freedom and justice, through art.
She got acquainted with libertarianism at the 2024 Leadership Program.
Having found like-minded people and ideas close to her worldview there, she joined the USS as an activist.

“Freedom can only be gained, not obtained in any other way. It is a constant struggle with yourself, where you have to sacrifice simplicity and comfort for what you think is right, what you believe in. It is what lies on the other side of your fear.”

Just a chill guy who was born in Crimea and because of Russian aggression was forced to leave his native home and move to Ternopil. There he finished school and entered KNU to major in mathematics, because he wanted to use his knowledge to fight against the enemy.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed

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.

Victoria is an activist of the USF. She lives in a village near Lviv, is a 2nd year student at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, majoring in Polish Philology, and is a member of the University Student Government and the Student Government of the Faculty of Philology. She is interested in journalism, youth activism, and social development of communities. She dreams of people being united by a common pride in belonging to their national heritage and awareness of their identity.

Freedom becomes a value for those people who have felt what enslavement is. Freedom is a tool that turns into action only in the hands of principled and exceptional personalities. The USF community creates such people. Crying has not given freedom to anyone yet, but whoever is a fighter, he gains the world.

Alina – activist of the “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”. She was born in Odesa region and has Bulgarian roots but is wholeheartedly devoted to Ukraine. During her school years, she actively participated in community life and student self-governance, as well as graduated from a music school. Currently, Alina is studying at Lviv Polytechnic National University in the “International Relations” program. She has experience in internships, volunteering, youth exchanges, and organizing her own projects. In 2024, she became a participant in the Leadership Program and joined the USF.

“Freedom is a daily choice and responsibility, and it is this value that unites USF. Here, progressive, conscious, and motivated youth from all corners of Ukraine inspire each other, share ideas, and change themselves and the country. These ideas resonate with me, which is why I am proud to be a part of the USF community.”

Serhii grew up in Volyn, where he successfully graduated from the regional lyceum. He has been interested in many disciplines for long, especially in politics and economics, so he chose the major “International Economics” at Lviv University for his studies, where he is engaged in scientific activities and tries himself in the field of startups. The subject of special interest is economics of development. He was introduced to the USF at the Leadership Program 2024, in which he saw a wide space for improvement in his field of interest. A participant of the international exchange program Erasmus+, speaks three foreign languages ​​at different levels and doesn’t plan to stop. An active debater and winner of debate tournaments.

Freedom for me is, foremost, a guarantee of what interests and worries me the most – escaping from poverty and rapid development of the national economy. But even beyond the practical side, I perceive freedom as a natural need and value in realizing myself as a person and an active actor. Will is the key to all the beautiful things God has given us, and the foundation for everything I believe in.

Vladyslav is a USF activist. He grew up in Fastiv, where he studied until the 9th grade. He graduated from high school in Kyiv. From 2021 to 2025, he studied at the National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, majoring in Computer Science. He learned about the organization in the fall of 2021, but became more interested in the libertarian movement in 2023 after the “Mises Talks” event in Kyiv. Since 2024, he has been an activist of the organization and participates in USF projects as a volunteer.

“For me, the USF is the best Ukrainian student community that allows me to realize my ambitions in any field. Since the unifying factor here is the idea of freedom, the organization brings together people who know its value and want to fight for it through active participation in the public sector”

Kateryna was born and grew up in Vinnytsia, where she graduated from school. Since 2022, she is studying at NaUKMA, majoring in “International Relations, Public Communications and Regional Studies” in Kyiv. Also involved in extracurricular activities during university years, such as working on the student magazine and participating in Model UN. In 2024, she joined the USF.

USF is a community of proactive youth who want to develop our country and are ready to put in effort for this. These are people united by common values ​​of Freedom, libertarian ideas, motivation and love for their country. In addition, USF is about close togetherness, special traditions and support of each other.

Pavlo is a USF activist. He was born and lives in Lviv and is studying at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, majoring in Psychology. He works at the UNIQUE Academy of Personal Development and is an active volunteer at the Psychological Service of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Founder of the NGO Empower U Wave, activist of the Student Government of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, certified creativity coach of the IAS, author of psychoeducational trainings, photographer, social activist.

“The ideas I was introduced to by the USF radically changed the vector of my life. And this influence became possible thanks to the fire in the eyes of young people inspired by the desire for freedom. Freedom not just for themselves, but as a fundamental human value. These are the people who inspire self-development and knowledge of the world, next to whom you want to search for the truth and create the future!”

Oleksandr is an active member of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF). He was born in the city of Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi and moved to Lviv in 2021. Currently, he is studying Software Engineering at the National University “Lviv Polytechnic.” Since 2022, he has been actively involved in public life. In 2024, he joined the USF, where he continues to develop his leadership and organizational skills.

Freedom for me is not just an idea but a core value that inspires and guides me forward. In my work, I focus on two main priorities: youth and freedom. Youth is the driving force capable of transforming Ukraine because our generation, born and raised in an independent country, has the strength and belief in its future. Freedom is the key to progress, as only free people can create, build, and succeed. I am not looking for a better life elsewhere—I strive to create it here, in my own country. For me, freedom has always been and will remain the highest value, and I am convinced that it will become the foundation of our shared prosperity.

Valeria is studying at Sumy State University, majoring in International Economic Relations. She hails from Donetsk region — a land of heavy industry, mining, and manufacturing. Valeria envisions the development of this region as her primary goal for the future. In the meantime, she is gaining valuable experience in the field of economics and business while working at PwC, one of the Big Four companies.

In 2024, Valeria joined Students For Liberty. This is not the first organization she has actively participated in, but she is convinced that this community will provide her with the greatest opportunities for personal growth, new connections, and the realization of her ideas.

Valeria is confident that her biography will soon be enriched with new achievements that will allow her to contribute even more to the development of the economy and society.

Freedom is the greatest achievement a person can have and the most precious treasure often taken for granted. Only a free person can change their life, their community, and their country. History shows that where freedom prevails, nations find the strength to rebuild even after the greatest hardships. Freedom is the key to prosperity and justice, inspiring us to create a future where everyone has the right to be themselves, and USS serves as a vivid example of this.

Born on January 13, 2005, in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. From an early age, he was interested in a wide range of activities: engaged in sports, explored exact sciences such as astronomy and biology, drew, and more. In 2011, he began studying at Zhytomyr Lyceum No. 24, where he graduated in 2022 from a specialized mathematics class.
With the onset of the full-scale war, he strove to be an active citizen, volunteering and participating in various events in his hometown. That same year, 2022, he enrolled at Lviv National University, joining the Faculty of Economics with a major in International Economics. During his studies, he focused on researching economics and related fields, while also taking up amateur powerlifting and bodybuilding. He started running a blog on TikTok and Instagram.
In 2024, he decided to join the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF) due to shared values. Shortly after joining, he became part of the operational team of the Lviv branch as one of its designers.

For me, freedom is the greatest value, as it is for all conscious people, so we must do everything to ensure that no one takes it away from us.

Milana grew up in the Khmelnytskyi region and graduated from school in 2023. In 2024, she enrolled at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in Psychology. In 2024, she learned about U.S.F. through a debate tournament. She also participated in the Leadership Program.

For me, U.S.F. is a movement of potential change, the implementation of reforms, and the improvement of living conditions in Ukraine, which opens up new opportunities for societal development. It’s not just ideas, but concrete steps toward enhancing the socio-economic situation and modernizing the country. U.S.F. gives young people the chance to actively participate in the reform processes, realizing their libertarian ideas and aspirations. Here, everyone can contribute to creating a society based on freedom, equality, and justice. It is a long, but important path, where new generations have the opportunity to influence the future of their country and develop it towards progress.

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.

Anna is a USF activist. She grew up and lives in Kyiv, and is a second-year student at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, majoring in Marketing. In high school, she was a class leader and a member of the Solomyansky district student council, where she served as head of the socio-economic department. She got acquainted with the USF at a game organized by activists for student council members. In her first year of study, she joined East West Business. This student organization promotes the creative economy, where, after working on organizing events and filming podcasts, she became a community manager. In January 2024, while participating in the Startup Ecosystem accelerator program at KSE Business School, she founded her green tech startup, [NASIA]. After successfully graduating from the program, she continued her career at KSE Business School as a communications manager.

Freedom is not just a word; it is our foundation, our core value. To me, freedom is about personal autonomy. It is the ability to act without coercion, take responsibility for your own life, and grow in the direction you choose. As an activist with the Ukrainian Students for Freedom, I believe that liberal ideas can transform Ukraine for the better by encouraging people to seek and break free from the chains of fear. Where rules and restrictions prevail, there is no genuine curiosity or drive to create. USF stands for individualism and gives you the opportunity to be yourself in your own unique way — and that is what I value the most.

Anna-an activist of Ukrainian Students for Freedom. She grew up and completed her schooling in the city of Chernihiv. In 2020, she moved to Kyiv and enrolled in the Institute of International Relations, majoring in International Relations. Having completed her bachelor’s degree, she is now continuing her studies in the master’s program.
She began her active engagement in civic activism and international relations in 2021. From 2021 to 2022, she volunteered with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. Simultaneously, she started her involvement with the USL as an activist in the international department, where she worked on promoting youth diplomacy and organizing international student events.
In 2023, she started her career in the public sector, interning at the Representation of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

For me, freedom is, first and foremost, the ability to be yourself and create the world you want to live in. In the ngo, I found like-minded people who share the belief that real change begins with ourselves. Freedom, to me, is something worth fighting for every day, and I want to live in a Ukraine where freedom is not just a dream but a reality, not just an idea but a way of life.

Evelina has been an activist with Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF) since 2024 and hails from Zaporizhzhia. She is passionate about culture, art, and people, which inspired her to choose Psychology as her field of study in 2023.

Since 2023, Evelina has been actively involved in civic life, attending training sessions and participating in youth projects. In 2024, she implemented initiatives under the UPSHIFT program and with the support of the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House. Additionally, she co-founded the initiative group “East Quest,” which focuses on promoting the culture and history of Zaporizhzhia while strengthening the local community.

Libertarianism is the freedom to think, act, and create. For USF, it is the foundation upon which we build Ukraine’s future.

Freedom is the essence of the Ukrainian nation. USF unites efforts to create a society where individuality is valued, and responsibility and change become the norm.

In 2020, she enrolled at DDMU while simultaneously working as a copywriter. Before the full-scale invasion, her life was filled with studying and creativity. After it began, her focus shifted to volunteering and learning. From the very first days of the invasion, she joined one of her university’s departments and helped organize first aid training sessions. Shortly after, she started setting up collective fundraising accounts, attending rallies for prisoners of war, and actively collaborating with foundations as an SMM specialist, manager, and copywriter.

An opportunity for growth, self-improvement, and finding an inspiring community.

Sofia is a USF activist. In 2022, she began her journey as a conscious student by moving to Kyiv and entering the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Faculty of Psychology. Over time, she decided to broaden her knowledge and simultaneously enrolled in marketing, as she felt she wanted to take a more comprehensive approach to developing her skills. With the same aspirations, she joined Ukrainian Students for Freedom, wanting to learn more about her country, its history and how she could influence its changes. Sofia believes that true transformation requires not only theoretical knowledge but also active action, which is why she is involved in various educational projects and initiatives. She dreams of a Ukraine where every citizen has freedom of expression and the opportunity to influence their future.

‘Freedom is not just a right to choose, it is a responsibility to oneself and society. Each of us has the power to change the world, but only those who fight for freedom can feel the true value of life. Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a community that unites those who are ready to act for the sake of the future, where every voice is heard and every idea matters.’

Daryna was born in Kyiv. She graduated from school and entered KPI. Now she is in the process of studying. During her school years, she was a member of self-government. She often attends forums, travels and takes photos.

“The history of mankind is the history of the struggle for freedom, for only freedom provides the space for creativity and progress.”

Kateryna Halchenko was born and currently resides in Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region. She is studying Law at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University. Kateryna is particularly interested in IT law and intellectual property law and actively participates in scientific and practical events. She was the captain of a moot court team.
Kateryna discovered USF through social media and started following the organization’s activities. Her first USF event was the Anti-Corruption Forum in Kyiv. Later, after attending the Youth Wartime Forum in Dnipro, she decided to join the organization by completing the Leadership Program. Kateryna is actively developing within USF, combining her professional growth with the fight for freedom and justice.

“Freedom is not just the right to choose but the responsibility to act. In *Ukrainian Students for Freedom*, we don’t just talk about change; we create it by uniting young people ready to defend their values and build Ukraine’s future.”

Viktoriia is a Project Manager, Senior Analyst in the field of regional development, trainer, mentor of youth and youth teams, and expert at the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance. She has 6+ years of experience in the NGO sector, including at the All-Ukrainian NGO “FRI” and the NGO “Dozrili”. She travels a lot, loves board games and coffee.

Freedom for me is not just an idea, but a life principle that determines my every step. The USF unites young people who strive to change Ukraine through the values of freedom and responsibility. We believe that only a free society can ensure a decent future for every citizen. Freedom is the path to prosperity, and we are ready to build it here and now. Together we are creating a country where everyone’s voice matters and opportunities are endless.

There is still a lot of important work ahead. Instead of looking back, it is important to focus on what can be done today and what can be achieved tomorrow. Results, not words, will tell the best about a person.

“It is a great happiness to be a free man, you can do what you want, no one will stop you.” (с) Taras Shevchenko

Denys is a USF activist, born and raised in Kyiv. For a year, he studied at NTUU KPI as an engineer, but realized that he was drawn to another field of activity. He is currently deeply interested in psychology and is preparing to enter this specialty at KNU. In 2023, he met USF at the Ukrainian culture festival Vydelkafest, among the organizers of which were many community members. In 2024, he joined the festival team as a volunteer, and also decided to apply for the Leadership Program. He adores freedom in his life in all its manifestations, in particular, he embodies this in traveling. He believes that the elements of a free society should be implemented now, in particular, he advocates the right of citizens to armed self-defense.

“For me, USF is an opportunity to create a free Ukraine of the future today. No person will consciously give up Freedom, but it is important that people realize this value, as well as the need to protect Freedom. At USF, we can spread awareness about the ideas of a free society, make our environment better through educational projects. And, of course, USF is the freedom to live the best youth in the company of incredible friends!”

Yana is majoring in philology (applied linguistics) at Lviv Polytechnic, studying English and Polish. She learned about the USF in 2023, and in 2024 took part in the leadership program and became an activist of the organization. She is a journalist, editor of the online media outlet Pysanyna, and loves poetry.

Freedom is my responsibility, my thoughts, my actions

Taras is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He grew up in the city of Uman, where he graduated from school, since 2021 he is a student of NUBiP He entered the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in 2024

Freedom is what unites people, what gives impetus to action, and what always needs to be fought for

Daria is a USF activist. She grew up in Zaporizhzhia, where she graduated from high school. Since 2023, she has been studying at the Khortytska National Training and Rehabilitation Academy, majoring in Therapy and Rehabilitation. She joined the libertarian movement at the end of 2024, when she attended a forum from the USF and became fascinated by their ideas and values. Currently, she works at the NGO “Enlight” and is an active member of the NGO “SVOI”.

Freedom is not just a word, it is a principle that shapes my life and work. For me, freedom is the right to choose, create and change the world around me. The USF works to ensure that the youth of Ukraine realize their power and realize their potential in a free society. We believe that freedom opens the way to dignity and self-realization for everyone. It will be the basis for building a successful future for our country.

Yevheniia’s been a USF activist since 2024. She’s originally from a small town in Poltava region, where she graduated from school and university in Poltava with a degree in International Economic Relations. International Business, and after graduation, she dropped everything and moved to her beloved Lviv, where she’s now a resident of the centre. Throughout her life, she’s travelled extensively and even studied as an exchange student in Istanbul. Since her university years were spent in the Covid and wartime, she believes that it’s never too late to become part of active youth and help change your country for the better.

Before joining the USF, I’d never have thought that I’d ever find such a large community, where people are completely different, each with their own personality, but where it’s so easy to communicate with everyone, where everyone is an incredibly intelligent and interesting person, where you can be unafraid to be yourself, real, because you are accepted here. And most importantly, all these people are active young people, the future of the country, united by the struggle for freedom in all its manifestations and in all possible ways.

Freedom is what makes us human, what enables us to live a fulfilling and happy life.

Polly was born and lives in Kharkiv. She received secondary education and graduated from music school. She is currently studying in the 2nd year of the educational program “production and art curation” at the Kharkiv Academy of Design and Arts. In 2023, she actively participated in the academic team “KSADA PRODUCTION”, and is currently the cameraman of the musical group “Okazia”. Polina has been at the USF since 24, where she and the team are working on a project related to freedom and art, the theme of which she wants to develop in the future. For me, the USF it’s a large community of like-minded people united by the desire to change our country for the better. In addition, here I gain valuable experience, new knowledge, cool acquaintances, and can realize my potential.

Freedom is not a goal, but a constant movement.

Dmytro was born on June 20, 2008, in Poltava and has lived there all his 16 years. During his life, he has already managed to try himself and prove himself in various fields, starting from school… Since the first grade, he was incredibly interested in reading and math, which influenced his interests in the future. He studied well: he was an excellent student almost every year, and from the 6th grade he actively participated in everything he could. Because of this, he was able to become the youngest president of the school in its entire existence only in the 8th grade, so his life in public activities began quite early, but it was in the eighth grade that he was caught up in a full-scale invasion The ninth grade was the year of his achievements and accomplishments: from scientific papers to theater performances. Dmytro left school after the ninth grade, hoping to get an education at Poltava Polytechnic College (PPFC). He had always been interested in computers, so he chose to major in Computer Systems Development and Maintenance. At the college, another stage of his life began, a more adult and “student” stage. He temporarily stepped away from academics and became interested in history and politics. One day, he read a book that changed his outlook on life and made him become interested in social activism. It was then that he became acquainted with the USF. Soon enough, the ideas of Freedom captured Dmytro’s imagination, and he began attending events organized by USF in Poltava, and in August he was there: at the Leadership Program 2024. As an activist of the USF, Dmytro has already gained some experience: he organized meetings of the branch, participated in the project school, was a delegate in the USF presidential election, organized a lecture in Poltava, and was a candidate for the position of head of the Poltava branch. But this is only the beginning…

Freedom is the most precious gift of humanity. It is justice and progression for all. All our goods are based on Freedom, because you cannot have true happiness if you do not have Freedom.

Vitaliy-Volodymyr Nechypor I graduated from Lviv Polytechnic National University with a degree in International Economic Relations, where I studied from 2020 to 2024. Currently, I am continuing my education at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, specializing in International Relations. I am an active member of the Drohobych Youth Council and the youth wing of the “European Solidarity” party. I am deeply involved in community activities, organizing various events and initiatives aimed at youth and societal development.

“Freedom is not about imitation or hypocrisy; it is about a fair system that ensures well-being for everyone. For me, freedom is social responsibility that starts with each of us and encompasses the entire state. It is the right to live in a just society where laws protect but do not restrict, where one person’s freedom does not threaten the freedoms of others.”

Maksym Kosmyna was born and raised in the city of Ternopil. In 2022, he entered the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) for the law program, where his worldview underwent a significant transformation under the influence of the constitutional law course. During 2022-2023, he successfully completed a formation program at the UCU Collegium. During this period, he actively participated in extra-academic activities of the university, in particular, he participated in the summer school of public speaking, anti-corruption moot court, and volunteer activities. Influenced by the academic environment and the ideas of freedom, individualism, and a critical attitude towards excessive state intervention, Maksym became interested in libertarianism. In 2024, after completing his second year of study, he joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF). In the organization, Maksym quickly revealed his potential: he lectured to schoolchildren about economic freedom, participated in the project school, and was elected head of the organization’s branch at the university. Maksym Kosmyna continues to actively develop as a public figure, consistently combining academic studies with public activities and promoting the ideas of individual freedom.

“Freedom is never too dear at any price. It is the breath of life. How much would a person pay for life?”
Mahatma Gandhi

Freedom for Ukraine is not an abstract concept, but a circulatory system of national self-identity, formed by centuries of struggle and resistance. Gandhi’s quote “Freedom is never too dear at any price. It is the breath of life” acquires an extremely deep and literal meaning in the Ukrainian context.

Every Ukrainian today is a bearer of this freedom. He pays the highest price – his own life – so that future generations can breathe the air of independence.

In this war, freedom is transformed from a philosophical category into a daily practice of resistance, where every act, every resistance is a component of a great national struggle.

Glory to Ukraine!

Andrii, USF activist. He was born and lives in Kyiv all his life. He studied at the Polytechnic Lyceum at KPI, where he became the President of the student self-government. JASU member of the Technical Department (now – Engineering and Materials Science), wrote scientific works related to ecology, which he presented at International scientific and technical competitions. He is currently studying at KPI (IASA) majoring in “Systems Analysis” (124). Joined USF in August 2024.

USF teaches a responsible, critical attitude to Freedom. And the main thing – it teaches to appreciate it, which was not easily obtained.

Veronika has been a USF activist since 2024. She grew up in a small village in the Khmelnytsky region. After graduating from Dunayevets Lyceum No. 4, she learned about USF and applied for the annual Leadership Programme, which led to her joining the organisation.

Freedom is the right to choose, act and create.
So choose, act and create!

Bohdan was born in 2005 in Odesa, Ukraine, and is currently studying at the Faculty of Romance and Germanic Philology at Mechnikov Odesa National University. From an early age, he demonstrated a strong interest in the humanities and language studies, which he chose to make the focus of his future career. He has been working as a tutor for over a year and a half. In 2023, Bohdan became actively involved in volunteering and civic movement, contributing to various initiatives and projects in his homecity. He organized lectures on civic movements for students at Odesa universities, poetry evenings, and community clean-up events. In 2024, he joined Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF) as an activist, took on the role of Head of the Odesa Chapter of the organisation, and now serves as a translator for the international of the organization.

Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.(Albert Camus)

Natalia is a USF activist. Until the age of 16, she lived and studied in Rivne, and after graduating from high school moved to Kyiv. Since 2023 she has been studying at the Kyiv School of Economics. She is actively involved in both university life and extracurricular activities. She joined the libertarian movement after the Leadership Program 2024 and was a co-organizer of “Mises Talks 3.0”.

“I am fascinated by the history of Ukraine, with all my heart because I understand the value of freedom for both individuals and the whole country like no other. After all obstacles we have overcome, we must continue to fight for our rights and stop any manifestations of its restriction. Our future is only in our hands, and I sincerely believe that the USF is an integral part of it!”

Serhii Kuchyn is an active community leader and a third-year student at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic,” majoring in Management. He was born and raised in the Kharkiv region but relocated to Poltava in 2022 due to the war. During his student years, Serhii has been actively involved in various volunteer activities. He is a participant in the leadership program *Ukrainian Students for Freedom* and a member of the UPSHIFT program.

For me, freedom is the universal tool that can overcome any obstacles and build a society where everyone has equal opportunities for happiness and self-realization. This is my goal and my inspiration.

Anna is USF activist. She was born and raised in Lviv. She is studying Business Economics. She is interested in marketing and startups (was a member of Falling Walls Lab Kyiv). She is interested in areas related to human behavior, in particular psychology. She also attended a theater studio, where she first learned about the USF.

Freedom is the result of cognition.
And cognition means acting on inner values, having the courage to be vulnerable, change, grow, love, feel and create.

She was born in the charming city of Rivne. Viktoriia is a creative person, so she has tried her hand at many things, from drawing and design to judo and computer science. She has always loved history and studied history at school. At the time of her enrolment, in 2022, her vision of life and her future speciality changed, so she entered the National University of Ostroh Academy to study English philology. From the beginning of her studies to the present day, she has been active in student life, participating in charity events, organising them, volunteering, so you will rarely see her in the dormitory. She also worked hard for a year in the student government of her institute, where she headed the media department. She first learned about the USF in the summer of 2023 when she attended the Ukrainian Renaissance conference. Since then, the USF has sparked a fire in her that has not faded away. She became an activist in the summer of 2024.

“Freedom is, first and foremost, a right – the right to hold your own thoughts, follow your interests, and fulfill your desires. It is the right to be who you truly are. Our life, our destiny, is the result of our actions, we shape ourselves. And that is what freedom provides.”

Marko is a lawyer, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and is currently studying for his Master’s degree. He is a practicing young lawyer in the field of Civil Law. Since his early student years, he has been actively involved in student government and ELSA UKRAINE (the network of the European Law Students’ Association), and currently holds a leading position in financial management at the national board of ELSA UKRAINE. He joined the USF relatively recently, in August 2024.

The values of Freedom are perfectly described by the Ukrainian Kamenyar, the author of the poem ‘Anthem’:
‘The eternal revolutionary
The spirit that tears the body to fight,
Tears for progress, happiness and freedom
He lives, he is not dead yet.
Neither the torture of the priests,
Neither the tsarist prison walls,
Neither the troops trained,
Nor cannons fitted out,
No spy’s craft
Has not yet brought him to the grave.’

Lina was nobly born to the sounds of fireworks…. fireworks of New Year’s corporate parties. She graduated from a Sumy gymnasium, which no longer exists((( Since childhood, she really wanted to wrestle, but when they saw her health certificate, they advised her to play only one sport: chess. So if someone wants to hurt her in the evening and Lina reaches for pepper spray, she will remember her sports experience, hide the spray, and sit down to play Chapaev. As a 200-point student, I was thinking about what to do with myself, not just to get into something, but to be useful even now. My physical strength at the “go play chess” level immediately rejected active ways to be involved in helping the homeland, so I ended up in cybersecurity. However, life is stormy and hectic, so later the documents were successfully taken away, the search continued, which is why you see Lina doing something often for military fundraisers and always raising money for good education That’s enough for you)

Last winter, a young woman who had just turned 18 in less than a week ran away from home on Ukrainian railroad trains in an attempt to win the right to be who, where, and how she wanted to live. It so happened that she is now filling out her biography, so I can assure you that Freedom is not an abstract concept for me, but rather a big vision with goals that change from time to time, evolving and proving its timeless relevance.

It is not a conditional line, crossing which you find yourself at a clearly defined finish line and become the final winner. Everything changes over time, including the needs and conditions in which society lives, which is why it is important not only to gain freedom but also to be ready to defend it every moment

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.

Iryna is from Lviv, where she completed her secondary education. During her school years, she was an active participant in student self-governance and an organizer of numerous projects. In 2023, she moved to Kyiv and enrolled in the historical faculty of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She was introduced to libertarian ideas through a friend-activist and social media, and subsequently became involved in several organizational events. Iryna successfully passed the selection process and entered the Leadership Program in 2024, since which time the idea of freedom has remained close to her heart. Through the organization, she began to develop an interest in economics and found like-minded peers.

Everything in our life comes down to freedom! Freedom is present in all spheres, but if for some reason freedom is oppressed, our task is to return to that sphere its original, free form!

Serhii is a student at KPI, born and raised in Kyiv. He is studying Computer Science. Having always felt an affinity for the ideas of freedom, the market, and republicanism, he was glad to join the ranks of the USF.

Freedom is the ability to choose my own path and live in harmony with myself. It opens the door to self-realization but requires taking responsibility for one’s decisions. For me, it’s impossible to be truly happy without freedom

Makar joined the USF in 2024. He was born in Zaporizhzhia and lived there until entering the university. His soul always felt the call of creativity, so from childhood he attended various clubs, participated in local events and all-Ukrainian competitions. He entered Lutsk NTU for the specialty “Graphic Design”. With his own efforts and ambitions, he took first place in the rating list. He joined the student council of the faculty in the first year, in the life of which he participated. In the summer of 2024, he learned about the USF and decided to join the organization. The result is known)

The value of freedom began to develop in me after watching the film “Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom.” This became the point of no return.
When I joined to USF, I watched this film another time. Eventually I realized: “I’m here so that this doesn’t happen again.”

Polina was born and raised in Kyiv. As a child, she was very interested in journalism, which led to the creation of a social, scientific, and popular newspaper in each new school. At the age of 14, with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Polina temporarily moved abroad, and it was then that she became most actively involved in various volunteer projects and NGOs. For a long time, she was interested in social sciences, and in particular due to that, she came to libertarian ideas. Currently, Polina is a 1st year computer science student at the WSB Merito University in Gdańsk. Besides USF, she is a scout in “Plast”, researches socio-economic aspects of Ukraine’s recovery within the KSE YRL, and works on her own tech startup.

“I believe in the objectivity of goodness, and I believe that freedom is the main condition for achieving it. With the realization of personal responsibility and the weight of each choice, humans cultivate a sincere desire for good and learn to create this good – both for themselves and for the surrounding world.”

Daria joined USF in 2024. She was born and raised in Kyiv. After graduating from high school, she entered the Kyiv School of Economics to study Economics and Big Data, where she found people who helped her change her worldview and values and find her uniqueness. Mountains play a special role in Daria’s life. Although she did not grow up in a mountainous area, she believes that the Carpathians played a major role in shaping her personality as a teenager. She is passionate about hiking and unexpected trips by Ukrzaliznytsia. What she values most in people is sincerity.

I joined the USF while searching for a community of people strongly united by common values and ideas. I left the Leadership Program with the feeling that I had found what I was looking for. It was an incredible experience and afeeling of pride for the people I had known for only 5 days. USF is more than an organization. USF is people.

She was born in a small town in the Lviv region. Since early childhood, she has been fond of travelling and meeting new people. After graduating from high school, she got into Ostroh Academy to study Romance and Germanic languages. She was actively involved in student life: she was a member of the student council and participated in various university events. In 2023, she met Ukrainian Students for Freedom at the Ukrainian Renaissance event. The following year, she joined the Leadership Programme and became a co-founder of the Ostroh branch.

Freedom is the ability to create your own path, even when it is not yet on the map. And USF members are the people who will help you to go through it

Valeriia is a USF activist. Originally from a small town in the Rivne region, she is a native Polishchuk but currently lives in Kyiv, where she is studying at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in Economics and Economic Policy. Since the beginning of her studies, she has headed the Educational Department of the Student Parliament and has been organizing scientific, cultural, and volunteer events. Valeriia has participated in international conferences and programs on leadership development, mental health, economic recovery, and state-building. She is also a participant in the Erasmus+ exchange program (Czech Republic, Mendel University in Brno), and an organizer of debates, cross-sectoral forums, and similar non-formal education events for young people. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, she has been engaged in volunteer activities. She joined the USF during the Leadership Program in 2024 as an activist, realizing that she was close to the values of libertarianism and freedom.

Freedom is the highest human value and a primary tool for the prosperity of any nation. However, above all, it is a duty to bring light despite any bad weather and to be faithful to one’s principles and ideals. The USF is about freedom, about people and for people; it is a community of youth who, with an unbridled thirst, elevate the ideals of freedom and believe that the new generation of independent Ukraine has the potential to create a decent and prosperous future for the country.

Oleksandr is a USL activist. He grew up and graduated from school in Nova Kakhovka. From 2020 to 2024, he studied and received a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Management at the University of HNUE named after Semen Kuznets. He joined the libertarian movement through the Leadership Program in 2024. He was an organizer of educational events on “Combating Human Trafficking” for grades 7-11. He created and implemented activities aimed at developing youth space under the “Long-term Volunteering” program from the NGO BUR.

For me, freedom is the key to the development of both an individual and a conscious nation, because in its conditions everyone has the opportunity to freely express their thoughts and ideas. And these very ideas of freedom unite young people to change, which is the main engine of progress. And I share these values, because you can develop in a community that wants to constantly develop and become better.

Natalia is a USF activist Natalia was born and lives in Chernihiv, a city she loves with all her heart and wants to develop from the inside. She joined the ranks of the USF in 2024. After attending the Leadership Program, she realized how much the values and people around her resonate.

Ukrainian Students for Freedom is more than just an organization: it is about support, warmth, and self-realization.

“Freedom is not easy, but it is worth fighting for”

Maksym is an activist of the USF. He was born and raised in a village in Bukovyna. From 2021 to 2023, he studied at the College of Yuriy Fedkovych National University, majoring in computer science. Since 2023, he has been a student at Lviv Polytechnic National University. He joined the USF in 2024.

Freedom is our religion. This is how we can describe every Ukrainian, because freedom has always been, is and will be in our hearts.

Khrystyna was born in the village near Lutsk, where she graduated from school. From childhood, feeling the desire for creative manifestation, she participated in creative and historical events. Interest in the culture and history of Ukraine has built one of its values – to spread and nurture its culture and statehood. Experience in independent projects increasingly turned her on the importance of spreading historical, political, and social problems through art. Participation in the school self-government team prompted her to be interested in civil and social processes. While studying at Lutsk National University, she learned about USF.

USF for me is about opportunities. Surrounding young people who share your desire to build, and improve our state makes the usual dreams actions that you did not know you could be capable of. You practice and do not dwell on the usual beautiful theory in your head.
Without freedom, my identity could not exist. History shows us that nothing is more destructive to individuality and human rights than the lack of will.

Nika was born and raised in the beautiful city of Zhytomyr. After the full-scale invasion began, she became involved in community and volunteer work, and in the summer of 2024, she became an activist with the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. By that time, she had already gained experience in writing articles for media, organizing events abroad, working with youth, and completing nine grades of school. Having coordinated various projects, Nika realized that the ideas and values of freedom are an integral part of her life. She spent several days filling out an application and later received the long-awaited letter congratulating her on being accepted into the Leadership Program.

My dad said that values ​​are what you fight for, not what you like. Freedom – about the fight for the future, “Ukrainian Students for Freedom” – about people who will fight side by side with you.

Bohdan was born and raised in Chernivtsi, where he graduated from 9th grade. In 2021-2023, he studied at the College of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, majoring in Computer Science, where he took an active part in various competitions and led an active student life. Currently, Bohdan is studying at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, majoring in the same field. He joined the USF in 2024.

A sword that can’t be wielded is nothing more than an ornament. Freedom that cannot be used is the same.

Tanya is an activist of the Kharkiv branch of the USF. She studies at Kharkiv Lyceum No. 160. She joined the USF in 2024, when she got to their Mises Tour event in Kharkiv. At that time, the Leadership Program’s active PR campaign was ongoing, and Tanya decided to take a chance and submit her application. That’s how she got to the Congress in August and came to adore the USF. She works as a beta reader at the publishing house «Vikhola». She also joined the free samizdat “Zin” as an author and editor of articles, joined the V traditional USF campaign, became a copywriter in the communications team of the Kharkiv branch, went through the USF Project School, and much, much more. A special place in her heart is devoted to reading, music, photography, and writing. And she loves her mentor very much.

I have always valued freedom, it was one of the factors in my idea of ​​a happy life. After I joined the USF, I discovered freedom in a different way. It is something that is impossible without. It is freedom that allows you to live as happily as you imagine.

Ivanna was born and lives in the city of Lutsk. In 2023, she graduated from 11 grades and entered the Lutsk National Technical University with a degree in Graphic Design. She met the USS in 2023 at one of the events, where she also fundraised for loyalty program, and that’s when her active student life began. In 2024, Ivanna fully joined the community, becoming an activist.

For me, freedom is the opportunity to realize your potential, to breathe deeply, to choose anything without judgment, the possibility of many attempts, the possibility of possibilities. This is what flows in our blood, unites us, makes us strong, free and happy. Freedom is individuality and uniqueness, it is creativity. This is what is worth fighting for.
I love the USS – it is not only about theory, but also practice and specific actions. This is a community where you can be whoever you want, realize yourself to the fullest and become a part of something big, a part of change, a community of conscious, purposeful, ambitious, free youth. In whose environment, you also want to share ideas, develop, learn, change our country and change yourself.

Anna was born and raised in Lviv. In 2022, she graduated from high school and enrolled in the Marketing program at Lviv Polytechnic National University. She learned about Ukrainian Students for Freedom from a friend, and after that, she decided she wanted to join a community where she could contribute something meaningful. In 2024, she became a member of the community.

For me, freedom is about happiness and responsibility. Only by being free can we pursue what makes our lives fulfilling and meaningful. Yet, with freedom comes the responsibility that we must be ready to embrace.
In Ukrainian Students for Freedom, you clearly feel that freedom means responsibility—not the kind that weighs you down, but the kind that liberates you.
For me, Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a community of free-spirited people who take action and inspire others. It’s a group of passionate individuals who motivate and energize you to take action as well.

Olesia is an activist with the USF. She was born and raised in the village of Hrymailiv in the Ternopil region. During her school years, she was a member of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. In 2023, she enrolled at the Ukrainian Catholic University and moved to Lviv. She continues her studies in the “Sociology” program. Olesia coordinates volunteer events for first-year students at the university as part of the “Service” course. Since 2024, she has been a member of the “Motanka” student organization, holding the position of a researcher. She is engaged in promoting Ukrainian culture, particularly by handcrafting and popularizing traditional Ukrainian beadwork.

For the Ukrainian people, freedom has always been an integral part of their identity. It is not only the right to act but also the ability to shape oneself, even in the most challenging times. I am particularly struck by the words of Oksana Zabuzhko, who, reflecting on Lesya Ukrainka’s drama “The Forest Song”, emphasizes that the greatest torment for the protagonist, Mavka, was falling into the snare of “He Who Dwells in the Rock.” The rock symbolizes unfreedom—a state where the capacity for movement, creation, and choice is lost. It is not merely physical confinement but spiritual stagnation, where the will to live, dream, and strive vanishes, leaving only an empty shell.

Oksana Zabuzhko notes that “the greatest torment for a Ukrainian is the absence of freedom, just as for Mavka, it was ‘He Who Dwells in the Rock.’”

Yevheniia was born and raised in Vinnytsia. She is currently a third-year student at Vinnytsia National Medical University, as she plans to build her future in medicine. After enrolling, she joined the student government, where she remains actively involved. Yevheniia is passionate about scientific activities and literature, has a strong interest in economics and philosophy, and is always striving for self-improvement. While attending USF events in 2022-2023, she became inspired by the organization’s ideas and activities. As a result, she became a USF activist in 2024.

Freedom is the highest value, one worth fighting for every moment. It is a constant struggle — both with society and with oneself. A struggle against stigmas, stereotypes, others’ opinions, and one’s own doubts and fears. It is a path that requires effort to break free from submissive existence, to stop merely surviving within imposed conditions, and finally, to start truly living.

A free life means the ability to make unbiased decisions, take responsibility, pursue goals, and even make mistakes. For me, freedom is essential—something without which I cannot imagine my existence. It is worth everything and remains alive as long as we understand its value.

Daryna is a USF activist. She grew up in the Khmelnytskyi region, where she graduated from school. Since 2024, he has been studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy under the “Political Science” educational program. She joined the libertarian movement in August 2024 after the leadership program of the NGO “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”. In May 2024, she started working in the NGO “Build Ukraine Together”, where she works as a volunteer and camp leader. Coordinates events in the student organization “Student’s Visnyk” at KMA. In addition, he is engaged in fundraising in the student volunteer center of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy “Mutual aid from NaUKMA

For me, the main value of freedom is responsibility, which arises from the feeling of freedom and at the same time affects its development. Freedom is an unconditional value that is not subject to restrictions and allows you to clearly understand not only the path, but also the final goals under any circumstances. A community of free people is capable of changing society and promoting progressive ideas. For me, the USF is a community that takes responsibility, stimulates change, and spreads the values ​​of freedom in various areas.

Nazar is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF). He was born in 2006 in the city of Sumy, where he continued to reside. From a young age, he showed significant interest in political and economic processes in Ukraine and the world. Nazar first learned about libertarianism in 2021 and was immediately intrigued by the ideas of this movement. In 2024, he joined the USF.

Follow your will, and it will never betray or let you down.

Anzhelika is a student of the Bogomolets National Medical University, 2020 year of entry, studying in the specialty “medical practice”. She was born and raised in the Kherson region, where she completed her secondary education. She joined the libertarian movement in mid-2024 at the 2024 Leadership Program in Medzhyborzh. A graduate of the Objectivist Campus Program 2024. She was engaged in volunteer activities at the VidNOVA:UA program before entering the USF.

This is more than just a libertarian organization. These are new horizons of opportunities, many new spaces for development, hundreds of truly motivated people who do not stop moving towards their goal, people who all, as one, are drawn to one thing – to freedom

Yulia joined the USS in the Leadership Program in 2024. Since 2023, she has been studying at the National University “Ostroh Academy” in the specialty “National Security”. She is into studying and analyzing political processes in Ukraine and the world. She is actively working on research and scientific works on such topics as defense policy, geopolitical crises, types of wars and hybrid threats. Among her latest works: “Hungarian Policy as a Hybrid Threat to Ukraine” and “Deportation of Ukrainian Children by the Russian Federation: Threats and Challenges for Ukraine”. From early adolescence, for Yulia, the idea of ​​freedom seemed like a natural human right that needed to be protected and defended. Therefore, when she learned about the USF and libertarianism, she realized that their postulates fit perfectly into her own worldview.

Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a leading organization in Ukraine that truly has an impact on policy of the country. Members of the organization actively work on education, as well as on actions and calls for change. The activities of the USF have already brought a lot of benefits to our society. More to come!

Victoria is a USF activist. She is from the village of Sosnove in the Rivne region. Since she grew up among nature, she sees her life in harmony with it as a certain goal, and is interested in eco- and urban movements. She is passionate about creativity and art, sometimes being its creator, and is studying to become an art manager at Rivne State University of the Humanities. Looking for opportunities to be useful and develop, she started volunteering at school and now it is a part of her life. She explores herself and life in general through various experiences. Although she found out about USF by chance, the values and ideas resonated with her, so she immediately filled out an application for the Leadership Program and has been a part of it ever since.

I admire the Ukrainian Students for Freedom, their ideals and worldview. It is a community of passionate people who care. This is an organization that nurtures leadership in each of its members. It is an opportunity to realize your potential as you wish. It is Freedom at every step, and Freedom is the right to be yourself.

Viktoriia grew up in a military town in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. In the 9th grade, she lived for six months in Balakliia, Kharkiv region, where she continued her studies at a local school. During her school years, she regularly went to competitions and took part in team history/ local history and tourism competitions. In 2021, she entered college from the Odesa Law Academy, where she found no opportunities to prove herself. Before the start of her third year, she discovered volunteering and social activities. She joined the NGO FRI, while also being interested in other opportunities to develop herself and Ukraine. In 2024, she applied for the Leadership Programme, although she had planned it last year, and joined the USF. She entered the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to study Germanic philology, where she also joined the student organisation Ex libris.

For me, the USF is a new experience of being in a community that has a clear goal and is moving towards it. It’s about ideas and values that resonate with me, and about an atmosphere that makes me feel comfortable. Ideas of freedom are the foundation of a free, independent country. Freedom encourages you to think about your actions, because there can always be undesirable consequences. It gives you the opportunity to develop, and if you develop, your country develops. For a person who is a patriot of Ukraine, this is the highest value.

Oleksandr is an activist USF, born and raised in a village in the Cherkasy region, Zolotonosha district, the name of which no one can remember at first try. In 2019, he enters Cherkasy State Technological University to study specialty 033 “Philosophy”, educational program “Political Philosophy”. The choice of specialty was motivated more by the word “philosophy”, with “political” being an additional option, but something rare happened – the specialty truly resonated with him. So in 2023, he receives a bachelor’s degree with honors and enrolls in the same university for a master’s degree. In the same year 2023, he meets the community of Ukrainian Students for Freedom and in 2024 joins it.

Freedom is a force field of community, born at the point of highest tension between oppression and rebellion. This is not an abstraction, but a living nerve of a collective organism, where each participant is a conductor of shared resistance energy.
Community forms a space of freedom through mutual support, solidarity, and collective responsibility. Here, individual resistance multiplies with collective might, transforming into a powerful wave of change.
Freedom is not a goal, but a continuous process of unity and interaction, where every voice is important, every contribution significant. Freedom is USF.

Serhiy is a USF activist. He grew up in the beautiful city of Ternopil, where he finished school. From 2019 to 2023, he moved to Lviv, where he studied at the Lviv National Veterinary University, majoring in Tourism, and from 2023 to 2024, he was a student at the Kyiv School of Economics, majoring in Social Psychology. He joined the libertarian movement in 2021 after graduating from THE OBJECTIVIST THOUGHT LEADER PROGRAMME. Since high school, Sergiy has been actively involved in volunteering and social activities, organising camps/events and being an active member of the NSOU “Plast”.

Bringing the ideas of freedom and fighting for justice is what motivates me to be here on this Earth.

Sirius grew up in the city of Zaporizhzhia, where he graduated from school. Since 2019, Sirius has been living in Kyiv, where he entered the Bohomolets School of Medicine, majoring in “General Medicine”. He first attended a USF event in January 2024. After the Leadership Program, he joined the School Freedom team and the Department of Education in USF.

Aware person is a free person. It’s impossible to become free if you’re not ready to process information and take responsibility.

Purposeful, active and ideological – this is about Sofia. She is studying in the specialty “Social Work” so she knows about the needs of vulnerable categories of the population. She is engaged in volunteering and is the founder of the Volunteer HABU based on the KhGPA. She loves to read, attend various programs and self-develop.

Each person must form their own spiritual values, the УСС is a place where these values ​​are expressed in the best way of all existing ones.

Kostiantyn spent 15 years playing hockey, becoming a champion of Ukraine, winning multiple international tournaments, and spending one season in the USA, where he played for the East Coast Spartans in Boston, Massachusetts. As of 2024, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Management. Over the past five years, he has been actively involved in businesses and startups, with the last four years deeply engaged in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector. Kostiantyn co-founded OSTOLEX, where he leads a team of 15 people. Throughout his career, he has participated in nearly 30 hackathons and six case challenges organized by Big Four companies and venture funds. For the past six months, Kostiantyn has worked as a consultant at KPMG but plans to leave the company to fully dedicate himself to his entrepreneurial projects. Previously, he gained experience in business development and project management. In his free time, he plays guitar and has been a member of two rock bands.

Freedom is a fundamental value for me, providing the ability to define my own path in life. It represents the right to choose, the responsibility for my actions, and the power to shape my future without coercion. Freedom opens the door to self-fulfillment, creativity, and harmony with oneself and the world.

Nazar is an activist of the USF. He grew up in the village of Dvirtsy, in the Lviv region, where he graduated from school. He is a 4th-year student of the specialty “Information Systems and Technologies” at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. In his 2nd year, he began to engage in debates of the British-parliamentary format. During his 3rd year of study, he was the head of the Debate Club of the National University of Lviv, and at the beginning of his 4th year, he became the head of the student council of his dormitory. He learned about the USF from a friend. He joined the organization in 2024. He is part of the Lviv branch, where he is a member of the Lviv operational team.

For me, freedom is about 3 things:
Progress, Comfort and Responsibility.
It is through freedom, the opportunity to exchange ideas, the opportunity to try new things and question established norms that we can achieve technological and social progress.

Since no one can get into our heads, no one can know the best option for us except ourselves.

However, being free places on us the responsibility for our well-being, for our decisions and their consequences, and this is something that we must not forget.

Kateryna is an activist with the NGO “USL” who was born in Cherkasy region and currently resides in Kyiv. She received her education in a small village where she was actively involved in community and social life. She moved to Kyiv to study “Applied Mathematics” at the “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. Additionally, she is studying “Agronomy” part-time as she wants to help her parents with their farm and introduce innovations in this field. She became interested in USL after participating in a protest near the UN following the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP. She officially joined the organization in the 2024. She is actively involved in student life, volunteers, and is constantly learning new things.

For me, freedom is the ability to choose my own path and act in accordance with my values, without violating the rights of others. It gives life meaning, because only in freedom can one realize their potential and create something unique. But true freedom requires responsibility, because without it, freedom becomes an illusion. Responsibility is an internal compass that allows one to direct their freedom towards creation, not destruction.

Maryna was born in Kyiv. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and is currently pursuing a master’s degree. Since the 9th grade, she has served as the school president at Lyceum № 303 in Kyiv and has been actively involved in school government. She currently specializes in commercial law and has been working in the legal field for over three years.

For me, the values of freedom are something that one cannot live without. Without freedom, life is just existence. Through its actions and desire for change, the USF makes Ukraine livable. The USF is a space for thoughts, dreams, and ideas with the full embodiment of freedom, where the individual is truly a value.

Hanna is a native of Kharkiv, where she has lived and studied her entire life. She is currently pursuing a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning at the O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv. Her interests lie in art, social activism, and urban development. Actively engaged in Kharkiv’s cultural and social life, Hanna strives to be an integral part of her city’s community. She strongly believes in the values of human freedom, dignity, diversity, and freedom of expression—principles that form the foundation of her civic engagement.

“Freedom is not merely a right, but the responsibility of each of us to create a space where respect for dignity and diversity becomes the norm.”

Mykyta is an activist of the USF. He grew up in the city of Zhytomyr, where he graduated from school. Since 2022, he has been studying medicine at the Vinnytsia National Medical University named after M.I. Pirogov.He learned about the USF from friends, after which he joined the PL2024 in the summer. As an activist, he participated in the organization “LibertyLit” in Zhytomyr, “Medical Issue” in Vinnytsia.

In my opinion, freedom is the ability to live according to one’s own priorities, beliefs, thoughts, desires, the ability to decide one’s own future destiny, and the USF provides this opportunity. 😊

Volodymyr is a USF activist. He was born and raised in Dnipro, where he completed his secondary education. Over the course of 11 years, he attended four different schools. During his school years, he was passionate about aviation and rocket modeling, which inspired him to pursue a related field of study. In 2023, Volodymyr enrolled at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, majoring in “Aerospace and Rocket Technology.” In August 2024, he moved to Kyiv to live, work, grow, and, most importantly, contribute to making the country better. That same year, he became a USF activist and began working on a project in Kryvyi Rih.

For me, the USF is a place where I can meet people who share my political views or have differing opinions to engage in meaningful discussions. It’s also a community of individuals with whom I can have a great time.

Before getting acquainted with the organization, I didn’t know much about libertarianism. However, after learning more about this concept, I realized that my views fully align with libertarian principles.

I have always consistently supported and will continue to support freedom, rights, and equality. It doesn’t matter how I personally define freedom because freedom itself is the ability to interpret it however one wishes. At the moment, Ukraine faces significant issues with rights and freedoms, and as a citizen who wants to live in a free country, I feel I have no choice but to directly influence the state. I aim to do so through civic organizations, activists, volunteers, and other initiatives.

Yehor Bohomaz, studied in 292 school, was been a leader of school parliament, has too many things in which the interested, most conscious about world period of life starts after he was meet libertarians on debates.

Freedom begins when you open your eyes and break the foundation of your thoughts just because some aspect does not fit, being free is an action

Until the last year of high school Polina was completely into art, and never thought about another fields. But it was before she found out about such ukrainian YouTube channels as «The Cost of State» and « The last Capitalist», who specify in economics and world history of capitalism and states. She discovered them in summer after her 10th grade. At the same time she started to read books on topics of economics, libertarianism, capitalism. In October 2023 she accidentally joined one of the studying programmes of Ayn Rand Centre in Ukraine, where from some of participants she discovered about Ukrainian Students for Freedom. From February 2024 she joined a follower programme from USF.

Only one who goes to battle for life and freedom every day is worthy for them.

Demian, an activist, was born and lives in Lviv. He has developed a program to improve the psychological state of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Since the first days of the war, he has been actively involved in volunteer work: he organizes humanitarian aid deliveries to the front and participates in various initiatives. He was also a member of the Lviv Self-Defense. Demian is a 4th year student of the Faculty of Psychology at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Due to his love for psychology, he attends intervention groups and constantly improves his skills in various courses. He is a member of the university’s psychological service and an activist of the scientific society. He actively applies his knowledge of psychology in practice and regularly organizes trainings for various audiences. He often participates in events dedicated to such topics, as he is convinced that only a person who is satisfied with his life can think about higher values such as freedom. Demian combines psychology with sports. He has run a marathon, can do a pull-up bar over 50 times, including on one arm, and performs other difficult elements. He likes to run long distances in the mountains and outdoors, and he also rides a bicycle. He loves animals and volunteers at the Lviv Animal Protection Center, which helps stray dogs. Demian is a romantic at heart who appreciates evening walks and a special atmosphere. He is friendly and easy to get along with.

Freedom is a responsibility. One has only to dare to take it on, and life will sparkle with unprecedented colors.

Dmytro was born and raised in the city of Sumy. In 2023, he enrolled in the Educational and Scientific Institute of Business, Economics, and Management at Sumy State University, majoring in “Economics” and “Law.” Since his school days, he has been actively involved in student self-governance. Currently, he continues his activities in student self-government, organizing events and creating projects. He became interested in the Ukrainian Students for Freedom after attending the “Liberty Future for Ukraine” event in Sumy. He enjoys playing the guitar, singing, filming videos, walking, self-improvement, and learning new things.

Ukrainian Students for Freedom is, above all, an association of proactive young people striving for change. It is a community convinced that a place becomes great where you work to make it great.

Kateryna grew up and studied in the city of juicy watermelons – Kherson. During her student years, Kateryna began to show leadership and a spirit of freedom, and she inspired other students. She held high positions at the university level and fought for equality for all. Despite her activism, she studied special education and after graduation, her thirst for leadership did not leave her, so when she saw a post about the Leadership Program, she immediately applied and eventually became a USF activist.

“The USF is like a home for ‘crazy’ students who are not afraid to act for the sake of the country, for the sake of freedom, for the sake of people.”

She is an activist of the USF. She was born in Zhytomyr, where she studied at Zhytomyr Lyceum No. 3 and the Scientific Lyceum of the Ivan Franko State University of Zhytomyr. Between March and June 2022, she studied at the Jan III Sobieski School No. 3 in Szczytno (Poland, Warmia and Mazury Voivodeship). She also graduated from the Zhytomyr Music School No. 4 with a degree in piano. During 2013-2022, she was a Choral Studio ‘Strumochok’ student of the Zhytomyr Centre for Children and Youth Creativity. She is studying at the Educational and Research Institute of Philology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She joined the USF in 2024 with a desire to find something new for herself and to put into practice the skills she had acquired in her life.

I believe that freedom is not simply the opportunity to choose, but also the entitlement to act without apprehension, when I have the autonomy to chart my own course and accept the consequences of my decisions. However, true freedom also requires an awareness of the consequences of one’s decisions. Every choice, even the smallest one, has its own results, and I must be ready to accept them. This means that freedom is not only the absence of constraints but also the ability to take responsibility for what I do, knowing that my actions can affect me and others.

Kyrylо is a USF activist, design engineer, and photographer. He was born and raised in Kakhovka, a town on the banks of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. In 2021, he entered the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, where he is still studying under the Machine Dynamics programme. From the beginning of the russian invasion on 24 February to 19 July 2024, Kyrylo was at home in the russian-occupied territories. After returning to Kyiv, he worked in his department’s laboratory on the resonance method of studying composite materials. During this time, he also actively participated in student research conferences and other events, including Kyiv Maker Faire, Science and Innovations for Ukraine’s reconstruction Boot Camp, and Sikorsky Challenge. At the same time, Kyrylо is involved in development in the field of biomedical engineering at the KPI Additive Technology Park. The Leadership Programme 2024 was a big step for him. So, Kyrylо is now a USF activist.

It was an incredible moment. The gates of the Fortress closed and Freedom was in the air.

Mykola was born near the town of Kharkov. Having come to the libertarian revolution on the cob of 2021. The organization has more than 150 visits in the Kharkiv region. The USS came to light recently, around 2024. At the beginning of the large-scale invasion, I began volunteering – creating and distributing humanitarian aid throughout the Kharkiv region and the deoccupied territories. Having been an assistant to the people’s deputy and deputies of the local councils. He will continue his active work for the sake of Freedom.

For me, Freedom is freedom to choose, absolutely. Because a hopeless situation occurs only in the event that you have gained freedom, you have been driven into a corner.
Freedom is free. As in thoughts, so in actions, and at the boundaries of the reasonable.

Katia is a USF activist. She joined the organization in the summer of 2024. This choice was a conscious one, as Katia had been hearing about the USF from her friend for 3 years before joining, but did not dare to try it. Katia was born and raised in Kremenchuk, and has been studying at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in the Law program since 2021. She lived in Vilnius, Lithuania, for two years, where she realized that she wanted to take an active part in the development of her country, not just stand on the sidelines.

“For me, USF is more than just a student organization. It is a place where you can find true friends, inspiration, motivation, support, meaning in life, and much more. I am very happy that I decided to join the USF, because it was the beginning of amazing changes in my life. I finally felt like I was in a community of like-minded people, I felt like I belonged.”

Victoriia is an activist of the USF. Grew up in Pereyaslav. From 2020 to 2024, she was a student of KNUKiM, majoring in show business management. She is an active part of the public sector in Ukraine with participation in various organizations and projects. The activity profile is event management.

For me, freedom is primarily a choice. Every day we have to take actions to preserve not only our own will, but also the whole country. And it has been proven more than once that the driving force behind such changes has always been youth. Therefore, I am so happy that the Ukrainian Students for Freedom is forming such a community of like-minded people who are ready to go through obstacles and not look for freedom elsewhere.

Anastasia was born in 2004 in Kherson, where she finished school. In 2021, she entered the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Since 2022, she has been living in Kyiv. Since 2023, she has been actively involved in the work of the student parliament of her university. Since the beginning of 2024, she has been interested in libertarianism. In the summer of 2024, she joined the USF.

“It is often believed that individuals cannot change anything, but it is the collective strength of such thoughtful individuals that can change the world. Change begins with each of us, and it is the USF that serves as the driving force behind it. The USF actively promotes the ideas of economic and personal freedom, and since its foundation, interest in these crucial concepts has grown significantly in Ukraine.”

Daryna was born and raised in Pereyaslav, Kyiv region. In 2024, she entered Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, majoring in applied linguistics. In the summer of the same year, she completed the Leadership Program and joined the organization “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”.

Freedom is to live with dignity, to die with dignity and opportunity to grow with dignity for new generations.

Yurii is an activist of USF. He grew up in Vinnytsia, graduated from the Vinnytsia Technical Lyceum, and since 2022, has been studying “Software Engineering” at the Vinnytsia National Technical University. In 2023, he joined the volunteer organization “IT for Victory.” Yurii became involved in the libertarian movement in the summer of 2024 after attending the five-day Leadership Program 2024 conference in Medzhybizh. In the fall of the same year, he joined the communications team of the Vinnytsia region.

“All of us are free until we run into the walls of a cage. By joining the USF, I finally saw the cage that confines Ukrainian society, and I realized that it can be broken. I am confident that, together with like-minded people, we can show others how beautiful freedom is and how it can be achieved. I love my country and believe that freedom is the key to Ukraine’s prosperity.”

Elizabeth is an activist in the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF). She was born and raised in Khmelnytskyi, where she completed eight grades of school. From 2019 to 2023, she studied at the Thomas Jefferson Second Language High School in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she completed her lower secondary education. After returning to Khmelnytskyi, she finished her upper secondary education in the same city. In 2024, she became a student at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in Chemistry. She embraced libertarian ideas through USF in 2024.

Since I was young girl, I dreamed of finding an organization of like-minded people who strive for freedom and independence just like me. Today I am honored to be part of such a community as USF, which shows everyone what real freedom is.

Oleh is a native citizen of Lviv with a Dnipro soul, studied at 81 Lyceum and after that, in 2022, he entered the Lviv Polytechnic National University with a degree in International Economic Relations. He came across the USF quite by accident, but on the first day of the Leadership Program he realized that it was his. Since he was a child, he has adhered to the ideas of freedom, so he believes that the USF has a great future.

Freedom is worth fighting for, so I wish you that Ukraine is free and we are free in it.

Kyrylo was born and raised in the charming, chocolate-sweet city of Vinnytsia. After finishing school, he entered Vasyl Stus DonNU, where he discovered two new, significant fields: Law and civic activism. For him, these fields were like a father and mother—it was simply impossible to choose which one he loved more, so he had to combine them. This marked the beginning of attending numerous training sessions, traveling across Ukrainian cities for various events, and creating his own projects and initiatives. All of this eventually led him to the wonderful organization Ukrainian Students for Freedom, where in 2024, after completing the leadership program, Kyrylo became a USF activist.

For me, freedom is like water for a fish—it feels complete in it: swimming, enjoying, competing, and doing whatever it desires. The absence of freedom is like that same fish thrown onto dry land. What can it do? Merely thrash its tail in convulsions, try to breathe air, but all in vain—it is doomed to die. For a person, freedom is that very same water. Without it, a person is inevitably doomed as well.

Anton is a USF activist. He was born, grew up and studies in the city of Khmelnytskyi. It was here that he graduated from the Khmelnytsky Collegium and entered his dream speciality, political science, at Khmelnytsky National University in 2024. Among his peers, he has always stood out for his creativity and enthusiasm, which he tries to pass on to everyone. He often surprises people around him – Anton started school at the age of 5 because, according to him, he was bored with others and wanted to reach other heights. Now he is active in public life, sharing his principles with the community.

USF is a place where you feel at home. It is incredibly difficult to describe how such a large number of people could become your family. If at least 3 USS members know you, then almost everyone knows about you!

Valeriy is the most northern activist who is currently in the organisation. He comes from a small village in the Chernihiv region and periodically stays there. It was there that he inherited a love of freedom, autonomy, and independence. Libertarian ideas were the result of simple logical questions that boil down to one thing – ‘Why does someone have the right to control my life?’ The acquaintance with the USF was quick – it was the best NGO with ideas that were close to his heart.

Freedom for me is first and foremost a space for realising potential and searching for truth and ideals

Ksenia is a ‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom activist’. She grew up in Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, where she finished school and began her youth activism, first as a member of the youth council and later as a volunteer at a youth center. In 2023, she entered the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University to study law. In 2024, she joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom.

For me, freedom is the ability to live the way I want. Freedom also means responsibility for your own actions. And I am ready to take this responsibility, ensuring a good future for myself and others, in particular, I took this responsibility by becoming an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom.

Anna grew up in Kharkiv. She is studying international information and international communications at the V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, where she founded her project, “Political Cabaret.” Through this initiative, she interviews politicians, diplomats, volunteers, and individuals who actively shape Ukraine’s progress. She collaborates with a team of dedicated individuals who help her create and manage social media content. Anna is also an active member of the Student Council, where she oversees the media communications department. She aspires to play a greater role in determining Ukraine’s development vector and exert influence as part of the nation’s youth. For Anna, the Studfreedom represents not just opportunities, but a platform to make a meaningful impact on Ukraine’s future.

Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a community of active youth that strives to establish freedom as a fundamental value in society. For me, freedom means respecting the rights of others, their dignity, and the rule of law. It means on acting obligated to follow the regulations and respect one’s history. It means not being afraid to do business, to speak one’s mind, to influence the development of the state, and to understand that you are a part of this society and its future depends only on you.

Anastasia was born and spent most of her life in Khmelnytskyi, a city that seemed rather passive to her. In 2023, she learned about USF (Ukrainian Students for Freedom) and decided that it could give both her city and herself a breath of fresh air. And that’s exactly what happened: Anastasia joined the community during PL-24. Now 18 years old, she is studying in Lviv, actively working on the development of the Khmelnytskyi chapter, and engaging in volunteer activities.

Freedom is a weapon, and weapons must be respected. Ukrainian students have always been the driving force behind change, as their actions often laid the foundation for societal transformation. Young people not only have the power to talk about change, but also to act on it. The Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF) holds the largest concentration of such youth.

Yehor – a public activist, software engineer, trader, blogger

Dediacated to freedom, ready to action.

Olya is a USF activist. She grew up in Dnipropetrovsk region. In 2021, she graduated from the Samara Lyceum with a silver medal. Then she entered V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and moved to Kharkiv. After the start of a full-scale invasion, she was forced to return to her native town. Olya is currently studying international logistics and customs affairs as part of the “International Economic Relations” major. Looking for an active patriotic community, in the summer of 2024 Olya joined USF, having passed the Leadership Program. Thanks to USF, Olya realized how important the values ​​of freedom are to her.

NGO “Ukrainian Students for Freedom” unites very different personalities, who at the same time are very similar – everyone has the fire of freedom burning in their eyes. This is a community of people who are ready not just to talk about freedom, but to act. USF is the future of a free, developed Ukraine.

Olya was born and raised in Zhytomyr, which is her place of strength. She initially enjoyed drawing, but in high school, she became interested in photography, which has since become a part of her life. She is studying journalism at the Ostroh academy and works at the media “Ostroh.info”. She actively participates in conscious communities and creates conscious communities around her. She strives to live this life, volunteer, and be a worthy citizen. She rejoices in the sun and the strength of Ukrainians.

I will quote a representative of the NGO ‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom’ and a soldier, Dmytro Yevdokymov, who died defending us and our freedom: “Everything will be Ukraine, but to get there, we’ll have to run a pretty tough marathon”

Yehor was born in the city of Donetsk, from where he left in 2014. From 2014 to 2022, he lived and studied at school in the city of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region. Since 2022, he has been a student at Lviv Polytechnic National University, studying in Computer Science. Joined USF in 2024, being the 3rd attempt he tried to apply.

“Freedom means responsibility” – some wise man

Karyna. She was born in Dnipro. Karyna was changing two schools – on the right and left banks of the city. She is finishing his 4th year in the specialty «Journalism» at the Dnipro National University named after Oles Honchar. Began active public activity at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation: educational activities in social networks and weaving camouflage nets for Ukrainian soldiers abroad, in 4 months – in Ukraine. At the end of 2023, she joined the public movement «Groshi na ZSU. Dnipro». At the same time she studied at the university and participated in an internship in the media. Thus, she became even more interested in the political situation in the Dnipro and Ukraine in general. Already in March 2024, she visited the forum of the Dnipro branch of the Ukrainian organization «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» — «Youth Wartime Forum». Thanks to this event and acquaintances with people who believed then in her forces with participation in the project «Programa Liderstva 2024» and who are her friends, she is an activist of Ukrainian Students for Freedom

Freedom is a value that you don’t want to leave at a level of books or purely on stories of people in circles – Ukrainians want to build it here and now together with the same consciousful people. This is a basis of our country: Ukrainians will end the war, and then restore and build free and truly independent Ukraine by freedom. Freedom has always been with Ukrainians, but only a part of them understood its importance, because there were such people, for example, in the times of the Soviet Union, who lived under an influence of the propaganda of that time: the Heroes of the Nation were called terrorists and extremists, and the real murderers were an example to follow, clinging to their busts and portraits in an offices of majority institutions. Karyna believes that a bright future of Ukraine lies with youth: if Ukrainian youth choose freedom and build reliable «walls» now, then their descendants will only have to remember, appreciate and fill this «home»

Dmytro was born and raised in Kyiv. In 2024, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Management at the V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Dmytro joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom in 2024, inspired by the ideas of freedom and a desire to make the world a better place.

“When we choose freedom, we choose a future of limitless possibilities. Freedom allows us to develop talents, create new ideas, and transform the world for the better.”

Maryna is an active social activist and project manager. She grew up in Kyiv, where she studied at Lyceum №9. Since childhood, she has been interested in art, and more recently in film and literature. Prior to joining USF and working in the Education Department, she implemented her own initiatives and wrote articles for the online media outlet Vartivnia. For a year and a half, she was a volunteer in the environmental movement, where she worked on implementing sustainable development goals. In April 2024, she became an ambassador of the Euroforum in Brussels with the support of the European Parliament, representing Ukraine in the international arena. In October 2024, she organised the LCOY conference on the environment.

For me, freedom is the basis for development and change. It is the ability to act according to one’s own beliefs, without restrictions, but with responsibility to society. It is the driving force behind progress, because only in freedom can people unleash their potential, create new opportunities and influence the world around them. For me, freedom is not only a personal choice, but also a common path to prosperity, social and personal.

Danylo is an activist of the USF. He spent his childhood and grew up in the city of Lutsk. He actively participated in school self-government, and after graduating from school, he enrolled in Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University to study law. He learned about the USF from the website while exploring libertarian ideas. Enthralled by the ideas of freedom, Danilo successfully completed the Leadership Program of 2024 and became an activist of the USF.

Of all the riches in the world, the most priceless is Freedom.

Ivan Bilokur is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He was born and lived all his life in the town of Sumy, where now he study “Law” in the Sumy branch of the Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. Desire to join Ukrainian Students for Freedom appeared after the Sumy forum “Liberty Future for Ukraine”. He joined Ukrainian Students for Freedom in summer of 2024.

Freedom for me is independence, both financial and internal (mental). I am convinced that a person can live a full life only by being truly free, that means not to depend on anyone else. I like the Ukrainian Students for Freedom for its values ​​of freedom and the fact that membership in the organization provides an extremely large number of opportunities for self-development!

Danylo is a USF activist. He was born in a city that doesn’t exist – Zhytomyr. After school, he decided to stay there and entered Ivan Franko National University of Zhytomyr to study Applied Linguistics. Danya is interested in literature, history and cinema. He believes it is his duty to help others, that’s why he became a volunteer at Caritas Ukraine. He learned about the USF in the summer of 2023 from a friend who told him about the Organisation and the amazingly interesting things happening in the Medzhybizh Fortress. A year later, in the summer of 2024, he became a USF activist himself.

‘Freedom is not just a word. It is a part of your soul, without which you will not be a fulfilled person.
For me, the USF has become a place where I have met people with whom I am definitely not afraid to save the world.’

Vira is an activist of Ukrainian Students for Freedom since 2024. She was born and lives in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. In 2022 she graduated from the 9th grade at the Lyceum for Gifted Children with an in-depth study of the History of Ukraine. From 2022-2025, she receives pre-higher professional education Junior Bachelor in the specialty “Entrepreneurship, Trade and Exchange Activities” From 2019-2023, she was a member of the Plast public organization. In summer 2023, she was in the communications team at the NGO “By the Way.” A social activist, volunteer, loves to read and travel.

Freedom is the basic element of free life, of the future.I value the right to choose, the right to vote, the right to express my thoughts without judgment, and to be free to do what I love and can do.

Maria was born and still lives in Kyiv. From the beginning of history at school, she was interested in it, especially the history of Ukraine and culture. After graduating from school, she entered the Kyiv University of Borys Grinchenko, majoring in “history and archeology” with a focus on historical urban planning and the study of the history of Ukraine, where she is still studying. She learned about libertarianism and USF in January 2024, and decided to join the organization in the spring.

Ukrainian Students for Freedom is something incredible, something unique and wonderful with incredible people around, opportunities and values.

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

Matvii is an activist from Poltava. He graduated from KPI with a major in “Automation and computer-integrated technologies”. He is currently finishing his master’s degree in “Computer Science” at the Poltava Polytechnic.

Freedom of each > Freedom of all

Mykyta is a USF activist. He was born and raised in the city of Odesa. After graduating from high school in 2022, he entered the Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University to study Economic Analysis and Statistics, where he has been studying ever since. In fact, moving to the capital and not having friends at first gave him the impetus to attend all kinds of student dives. After one such event, particularly the «Screenwriting Lab» at the Cinema House (Mykyta is a rather creative person, but that’s not the main point), he decided to go for a walk with a very interesting girl who told him about her experience and achievements in student NGOs. A week after this meeting, Mykyta began preparing an application form for the Leadership Program 2024. After that, he spent an unforgettable time in Medzhybizh, smelling the freedom he had always wanted and seeing the lights in the eyes of everyone around him. At the time this biography is being written, Mykyta is a design assistant at the USF and a member of the Enlightenment Department. In addition, he is developing his own project, «Art of Freedom», and assisting in the organization of «Business Ratio». He notes that he hopes that there will be more to be done.

«People with whom I have not spoken for a long time might say that being in the USF has changed me. But I want to believe that I am just finally in a community where I can best be my true self. Where the values and views that I have been pursuing since childhood resonate with the thoughts of other members. I hope that the community itself is better off for me being true self, because this is a certain triumph of Freedom. Where responsibility for it is not something scary, but soberly inspiring»

Polina Onyshchenko is a student at the Ukrainian Catholic University, majoring in Philology. Through academic exchange, she studied twice at the University of Tübingen, participating in courses focused on freedom of expression and intercultural understanding, as well as at the University of Jena, where she concentrated on researching lexical changes in the Ukrainian language using methods of corpus linguistics and artificial intelligence. She is also a participant in the Erasmus+ program at Viadrina University. Actively involved in extracurricular activities, Polina engages in volunteer projects and leadership initiatives. She collaborates with the international youth organization VidNova and serves as an ambassador for a project aimed at supporting Ukraine. Throughout her volunteer work, she has participated in various initiatives, including visiting orphanages and supporting children of internally displaced persons. Polina also has experience in project management, working on merchandise creation and engaging in social and cultural projects. She is a graduate of the “IdeasLab” acceleration program, where she gained experience in implementing innovative ideas and startups. Polina believes that youth is a driving force for social change and actively participates in initiatives that promote democratic values and strengthen civil society in Ukraine.

For me, freedom is, above all, the ability to be myself, act according to my own principles, and openly express my thoughts. It is the feeling that I have the right to choose who to be, where to go, and how to express myself in this world. Freedom, to me, is not only the absence of constraints but also the responsibility for my own choices and actions.
It is important for me to have space for self-expression, the ability to speak about what matters to me without fear of judgment or misunderstanding. It is the right to make mistakes from which I learn and the chance to independently shape my path. I believe that true freedom is an inner state where I am held back neither by external limitations nor by my own fears.

Bohdan is a USS activist who joined the PL-2024 community. Born and raised in Khmelnytskyi, where he spent his childhood. Now he is a student of KNUBA, lives in two cities and is satisfied with such a fun stage in his life. He has been playing rugby for 9 years, graduated from a music school, is actively involved in volunteer activities and loves to smile.

I can describe the USF very simply as “the future is for the free”

Andrii is not the founder of USF, but only a member of the movement that believes in the ideas of libertarianism. He was born on the day of remembrance of the tragedy at the Chornobyl NPP. Even in his school years, he showed interest in economics and sports. Received the title of candidate for master of sports in combat jujutsu. The city of Lutsk remained in his heart, because after finishing school, he entered the Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka. He chose the “Law” specialty, but managed to join the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences before starting his studies. Deepens knowledge in the field of economics, law and their interaction.

“At the moment of life and faith, freedom is yours to fly, and the sky will not hold you. But it is not by faith alone that you will gain the right to consider yourself free, for only in struggle can you find the strength to build true faith, true ideas, true freedom.”

Ivan was born and raised in Uzhhorod, where he graduated from school No. 3 in 2022. In the same year, he entered Uzhhorod National University to study Political Science. He is a member of the student council and deputy chairman of the Scientific Society of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He became interested in politics, philosophy, and economics in high school, which led him to the ideas of libertarianism and to the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He joined the USF in 2024.

«Freedom is an ultimate value. The principles of Freedom are just, and the fruits of Freedom are useful, giving individuals the opportunity to develop their virtues. As knights of freedom, the USF carry the yellow banner that inspires other freedom fighters.»

Matvii is a student at the National University “Odesa Polytechnic”, where he entered in 2024 to study Computer Science. He was born and raised in Odesa, where he also completed his secondary education. Since high school, Matvii has been interested in economic theories, in particular the works of Ludwig von Mises, which led him to become acquainted with Ukrainian Students for Freedom.

Protected property and open markets are essential for economic development.

Katrusya is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF), for whom freedom is not only a value, but also a daily choice. She was born in Kharkiv, the city of sun and strength, where she actively volunteered. In the summer of 2024, she joined the USF community, which was a turning point in her life. In September of the same year, she began studying International Law at the Ivan Franko Lviv National University.

Freedom is breaking every chain—
Only then will serenity reign!

Andriy is a USF activist. He was born in the city of Stryi, where he lived for 17 years. After that, he joined the Kyiv School of Public Administration and moved to Kyiv, where he has lived for 4 years. One day, he saw a feed on Instagram about a “student camp where they talk about politics and economics” and decided to apply to it. He was not accepted. After that, he followed the activities of the USF for a year, attended their events, and became even more convinced that his views were similar to those of the USF, and now he consciously applied to the Leadership Program, and was finally accepted.

“Freedom does not come naturally — it is earned through hard work.”

Artem was born and grew up in the Poltava region, and throughout his childhood he was involved in sports: table tennis, basketball and volleyball. Who repeatedly represented Poltava Oblast at regional competitions. In 2019, he graduated from school and entered the Mykhailo Ostrogradsky Kremenchug National University. Joined USS in 2024.

USF is people united by one big idea of FREEDOM. For me, the idea of freedom is an inner feeling of peace and independence – when a person is free from his own fears, doubts and restrictions imposed by society.

Eva — native of Kharkiv region, a latent Vinnytsia native. She moved to Vinnytsia in February 2022 due to the beginning of the full-scale war, where she graduated from Lyceum 34, later entering Vinnytsia Medical College as a student for the specialty “Paramedic”. Regardless of her specialty, she loves music, art and fashion, and sincerely dreaming of connecting her life with any of these areas. Activist in USF since August 2024.

All my life I have always infinitely loved and appreciated the feeling of freedom and justice. Understanding that I am alive and that I have freedom of action is the best thing for me. And I feel the greatest reveal of my freedom and will in the USF.

Maria is an activist in the USF. She was born in Ivano-Frankivsk and graduated from the Science and Mathematics Lyceum. She studies in the specialty «Ethics-Politics-Economics» at the Ukrainian Catholic University (2021-2025). She is also a participant in the National Model UN 2023 in Germany. She completed an internship at the analytical center CASE Ukraine, Transparency International, the Institute of the City of Lviv City Council, and others.

«Freedom means responsibility, that’s why most people fear it».

Marichka, an activist of the USF, was born in a small village in the Cherkasy region and currently lives in Kyiv. She’s very open-minded to everything. Starting from playing the sopilka to speaking Japanese. The keys to these are time and inspiration. She combines studies in the first year of the specialty 031 «Religious Studies» at KNU University and her activities as a co-founder of the NGO «Marifet».

«Freedom is responsibility. It can scare, inspire, change. And this all is simultaneously or non-simultaneous, as it turns out. The most important thing is not only to want freedom but, to be ready to fight and live it».

Ruslana is a USF activist. She originally came from Lysychansk and went to Kyiv to study to gain the best knowledge to revive her community. Since 2020, she has been a lawyer from Mohylianka. She had the opportunity to live abroad but returned to her homeland because it seems that her motivation to act is fuelled by a strong connection to her native land. She actively promotes the ideas of zero tolerance for corruption, independence, and personal safety. She has held internships at law enforcement agencies and NGOs and currently works in the field of medical law at an international law firm. She has ambitious plans for her future career, is eager to cooperate in various projects, including those related to the occupied territories, and believes that only through joint dedication can Ukraine gain victory!

«Freedom is undoubtedly an absolute right of every individual. It is not just about being able to do whatever you want, it is also about the responsibility to act fairly and reasonably. On the other hand, it is the spirit that allows us to be ourselves. It is a feeling that nothing pressures us, that we follow our inner guidelines, but never go beyond the limits of human dignity. I am very concerned that Freedom can be lost, and that it has to be fought for or earned, as it should be an attribute that we have by default».

Yevheniy is an activist in the USF. He grew up in the picturesque city of Odesa, where he graduated from the lyceum. Since 2023, I have been studying at the Odesa Law Academy National University. Joined the libertarian movement in 2023, but followed the organization since 2022. Since the same year, he has been engaged in charity work and volunteering.

«Between freedom and happiness, I chose freedom». At the beginning of my development at USF, I found great truth in the fact that the main power is the youth and once again the youth. It sets and fulfills tasks, it will create the future, and it will change it. I believe that this is freedom — to feel what the soul desires, without worrying about someone else’s opinion».

Born on October 24, 2006. He played football for quite a long time. He became interested in politics and jurisprudence. Sometimes attends court sessions. He adores the city of Ivano-Frankivsk. He likes tea and the beautiful Carpathian mountains. For a long time, he was interested in the activities of diplomats and superficially studied international law. Loves the USF community.

«This is what freedom is — to feel what the heart desires, without worrying about someone else’s opinion».

Solomiya, Solya — an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom organization. She grew up in the small Hutsul town of Kosiv. Since 2019, she studied at the Ukrainian Catholic University, majoring in Sociology; now, she is studying European enlargement, identities, and migration at the Invisible University for Ukraine. After moving to Lviv, she is involved in volunteering and community activities. Currently conducting sociological research for Ukrainian public organizations and Ukrainian refugees’ foundations abroad. Found out about USF a few years ago, and for the first time, got to the event – «Fire of Freedom» forum in Ternopil in 2022. In the same year, she became a USF Follower follower, and in 2023 — a participant in the Leadership Program, receiving the status of an activist.

«The most important thing is always about people and their values.StudFreedom is about that. To have freedom and be courageous, and being free – to be responsible. It’s understanding that your voice and actions matter, and that working together can make a difference. StudFreedom is about the hope that our country has a future with so many like-minded people, and it is up to us to make it as bright as possible».

What Ukrainian Students for Freedom are doing strengthens my faith in a better future, in a country torn apart by factionalism and nepotism, war and violence, a principled group of young people boldly stands for freedom and the rule of law, for prosperity and free exchange, and limited state as the basis of voluntary and peaceful cooperation.

Zhenia is an activist in the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He hails from Khmelnytsky but has been studying in Lviv for three years now. Initially, he enrolled at the Ukrainian Catholic University to major in Political Science, took an academic leave to undergo the formational program of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, and has now, motivated in part by the USF, advanced to the second year of his studies at the university. He preaches the ideals of freedom everywhere: in personal conversations and during lectures and seminars at the university.

«For me, freedom, first and foremost, is about responsibility. I am free not only to do something but also to act under societal rules. However, this doesn’t make me a captive of others’ demands. I try to live in harmony with myself and with society. I believe this is a consensus in an era when neither communism nor liberalism have proven to be universal and infallible ideologies».

He was born in the picturesque small village of Ushomyr, in the Zhytomyr region. He grew up, went to school, and skated at the Olympics. Now he is studying at the Kyiv National University, majoring in Economic Cybernetics, and at the Ayn Rand Center in Ukraine. He writes cool rap.

«For the mom, for the dad, for the USF».

Uliana joined USF in 2023. She is from Ternopil and lives in Kyiv. In 2019, she graduated from school, in 2021 – the College of Economics, Law and Information Technologies. Currently studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Public and Private Governance.

«Freedom in everything and willingness to take on the responsibility that freedom gives – that’s what we all strive for».

Andriy was born in 2002 in the city of Odesa, where he spent a happy childhood, although he was close to death several times. In Odesa, he went to school and later graduated, even though the teachers considered him a “bad boy”. To the detriment of the above-mentioned teachers, Andrii passed the external examination well and entered the Odesa Law Academy on a budget to major in International Law. The guy never shied away from working, that’s why he worked a lot, there’s no point in listing all the jobs. Let’s not only the constant desire for entrepreneurship, personal business, and tax avoidance. Andrii loved only women more than working, which again did not add to the rest.
From the first months of the full-scale invasion, together with his friends, he began to actively engage in volunteerism and charity in the direction of helping children from internally displaced families. For these purposes, he later started the youth organization “Dali Bude”. In the fall of 2022, Andrii reads “Atlas Shrugged” and realizes that there is something in it. In the summer of 2023, he enters the Leadership Program of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. Becomes an activist of the organization, a fighter for freedom and a free economy. In 2023, he will receive the title “Student Lawyer of the Year”.
Andriy still lives today, combining his ardent love for football and literature, a love that he carried from childhood, when his mother forced him to read “Captain Grant’s Children”, and his father gave him a Shakhtar uniform and gave him to play football.

«There is a famous quote: «Ships are safer in harbor, but that’s not what they were made for». Humans, too, may be safer under someone’s supervision and care, but that’s not what humans were made for».

Olya is an activist of USF. She was born and raised in the charming city of Lviv. She is studying at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv to become an elementary school teacher and works at a school. She dreams of a happy future for the young generation of our country, and she wants to work and develop in Ukraine for this purpose. In 2023, she became a member of USF. For her, the student years are a time for experimentation and self-discovery, a period when there are plenty of opportunities for personal development, valuable connections, discoveries, and experiences. This is what drives her to become a participant in the “Leadership Program.” In the challenging days of the ongoing struggle of the Ukrainian people, including those close to her, for our freedom, the importance of activism and self-development is especially crucial. She believes that beyond this lies the future, as she is confident that the war will end, and the day will come when the damaged cities and villages will await our hands and wisdom.

«Freedom is the ability to choose who you are and what you do» — Harry Emerson Fosdick.

Nazar is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF). He grew up in the city of Vasylkiv in the Kyiv region, where he also completed his school education. From 2022 to 2023, he studied at the Lviv Polytechnic National University. Since 2023, he has been a student at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NAUKMA). He became interested in libertarianism at the «Ukrainian Renaissance» conference, where he decided to become an activist for the USF. Starting in 2022, he has been an active member of the «Vilnyy» community organization. In 2022, he joined the «Neopalymi» project as a volunteer. In 2023, he became the head of the patient processing department.

«Freedom is a fundamental value for me. I strive to attain it in all aspects of life. If we want to live in a rich, prosperous, and free country, we must make maximum efforts for its development. For me, the Ukrainian Students for Freedom (USF) is a community of like-minded individuals whose activities are aimed at the development and enlightenment of active youth based on the principles of freedom. We need to shape individuals who have the desire, knowledge, and experience to change and build the state. Ukraine has always sought freedom, so it is only natural for this value to become fundamental for our society as well».

His name is Volodymyr Poterayko. He was born in the city of Irpin. He was the president of his school, then became the chairman of the city’s council of leaders. After graduation, Volodymyr moved to Lviv to enter the Ukrainian Catholic University. While studying at UCU, he was involved in social activities and was a member of many student organizations. Now Volodymyr is the head of the NGO Free Space.

«Freedom is a responsibility that lies on our shoulders. In order to achieve it, we must fight for it, often through blood and great effort».

Viktoriia Fedoritenko is an activist of Ukrainian Students for Freedom. She was born and raised in the city of Chernihiv, where she graduated from high school. In 2019, she entered the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University to study Law. In 2023, she received her bachelor’s degree. Now she is studying for a master’s degree at the same university and working in her specialty. In August 2023, she joined to Ukrainian Students for Freedom, which she is very happy about.

«For me, freedom is one of the most important values in life. Freedom plays an important role in the social, economic, and political growth of a society. It can be multifaceted, but it is something that no country can prosper without. I am convinced that educated, active, and motivated citizens can influence policy, amend legislation, participate in civic initiatives, bring about positive changes, and contribute to the development of Ukraine. Our role as citizens in the development of the country is extremely important, and our belief in freedom is a source of inspiration for others».

Heorhiy is an activist of the NGO «USF». He was born in Vinnytsia, where he lived until he entered the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, after which he moved to Kyiv, where he is currently studying finance, banking, and insurance.
Heorhii is quite active in his student life, as he is involved in many student organizations and is currently a member of the highest student self-government body, the Student Board, where he is the head of the finance department. In early 2022, George began an internship at a British tobacco company, where he had been working for a year and a half at the time of writing.

«For me, freedom is the freedom of choice, which is manifested in actions, words, and thoughts. I sincerely believe that everyone deserves it, whatever it is. I also believe that it is impossible to become free having grown up in a post-Soviet society without connections to free and active people, which is why I joined the USF. For me, freedom is about moving forward and making discoveries that lead to new heights and achievements».

Maksym is a USF activist. He was born and raised in Lviv, where after graduating from high school in 2022 he entered the Ukrainian Catholic University, majoring in Political Science. He joined the libertarian movement in 2023 when he visited the model of the Verkhovna Rada and was inspired by the ideas of the USF. He is a graduate of THE OBJECTIVIST THOUGHT LEADER PROGRAM. He organized a course of lectures on financial literacy for young people. In 2023, he did an internship at the Lviv City Council.

«I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine».

Mark, lived in many cities in Ukraine and graduated from the Oleksy Novakivskyi art school in 2020 studying at the Institute of Architecture at the Lviv Polytechnic. He is fond of photography, painting, and ideas of freedom, a member of the debate Federation of Ukraine, and the national Kyokushin karate team.

«For me, the idea of ​​freedom is to freely develop one’s potential, one’s country, and one’s environment. It’s feeling responsible for your actions and the place where you live. As young people, we are obliged to use our opportunities and talents to build our own country, the cities in which we grew up. USS is just the environment of people who can give such an idea to the site and help implement the project without fearing its innovations, in my opinion, this is freedom».

Olha is an activist in the USF. She was born and raised in Khmelnytskyi. In 2022, she graduated from the Ukrainian Leadership Academy, where she discovered her love for political science. At the same time, she immediately entered the Ethics-Politics-Economics programme at UCU. She enjoys SMM, organises socially-oriented projects, and is involved in student government. She served as Deputy Chair of the UCU Student Council and Chair of the Public Communications Committee. In 2023, Olha became the best Objectivist Thought Leaders Programme graduate from the Ayn Rand Centre in Ukraine and joined the USF the same year.

«Freedom fuels the fire of creativity and innovation in the search for new solutions to the challenges of our time. The USF is a space to bring together like-minded people and fighters who want to realise this positive freedom and create the future».

Anastasiia is an activist of the USF, a volunteer, and a public activist, originally from Chervonohrad, Lviv region. Here, from the age of 13, she got into the public sector. For 4 years, she was an active participant in the city’s student government, including a year as the deputy president of this organization. Since the establishment of the youth hub «Kosmodrom» in the city in the fall of 2016, she has been an active volunteer She is an alumnus of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. Now she is studying in the 4th year of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She is interested in politics and was an assistant to a deputy of the local council. From February 25 to October 2022, she headed the Humanitarian Headquarters in her city, during which time the organization managed to transfer more than 700 tons of humanitarian aid to the military, and IDPs, as well as to de-occupied and front-line territories, and hospitals. Co-founder of the Unissued Diplomas project.

«Aristotle once said that democracies die when freedom becomes an object of consumption, and not the basis of responsibility, so for me freedom is first of all responsibility – for oneself, one’s property, one’s decisions, one’s community, one’s country. It is something that is always bought with blood and that has no price. It is not easy to get freedom, it is even more difficult to keep it and realize all the responsibility that comes with it. It’s like two sides of the same coin that will never be separated».

Vadym is an activist of the USF. He was born and grew up in the small town of Oleshki in the Kherson region, where he graduated from high school. Since 2020, he has been studying at Ivan Franco National University of Lviv, majoring in «Political Science». From May 2022 to September 2023, he headed the student organization of the Faculty of Philosophy. In 2022, he became a participant in two international programs «Digital University» and «USTUF Digital Interdisciplinary Mini Academy». Since August 2023, he has been an activist of «USF».

«For me, freedom is the greatest and most important value. I experienced how valuable it can be since I lost the freedom to go to my relatives, and to my home. USS is a place where I am surrounded by people who value my freedom and are ready to defend the value of freedom together. We live in a time when freedom is what our state has been fighting for the ninth year, for which thousands of soldiers died, so I feel a personal responsibility for the continuation of this struggle».

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».

Vitaly received a new secondary education at the Odessa State Music Lyceum named after Professor Pyotr Solomonovich Stolyarsky. Having completed six departments of the KZPSO “Art School No. 1 named after E.G. Gilels of Odessa (pop music, choir, brass, folk instruments, synthesizer, and piano).
There is a certificate about the after-school coverage from the famous group of the vocal-theatrical KPNZ “Odessa Municipal Palace of Children’s and Youth Creativity” and a certificate about the after-school coverage to the sports ballroom dance ensemble “White Acacia.” Holding two records of Ukraine: for participation in charitable, competitive, festival, and concert events (officially confirmed); Ukrainian record “The largest number of child volunteers. A nation of timeless ones!”, which is recorded in the National Register of Records of Ukraine.
Winner of the Grand Prix, Audience Award, 1st stage laureate of over 350 competitions and festivals in the following nominations: “Theatrical Creativity”, “Academic and Variety Vocal”, “Instrumental Genre: Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Synthesizer”, “Artistic reading room”, “Choreography”, “Original art”, “Dance”, “Ballroom dance”, “Step”. 5-time winner of the competition “STARS OF THE ALBION. Grand Prix 2019” 6th International Performing Arts Festival and Competition in England. Having taken part in performances and concerts of the Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, the Odessa Academic Theater of Musical Comedy, and the Odessa Regional Philharmonic, in famous television programs and reports.An active participant in concerts and educational events and programs, charity, and volunteer events in various regions. Two nominees for the annual (VI and VII) National Award “Children are the pride of Ukraine.” Since 2021, he has been a member of the All-Ukrainian Association of Variety Artists. Since 2022, he has been a member of the All-World Club of Youth Odessa residents. In 2023, was awarded the All-World Order of the Golden Star of Cultural Diplomacy. Learned about the USF from 2023 from a friend who was already a member of the organization.

«People who can become a bright ray of the future of our country are being trained at the USF».

Mariyka – volunteer, active, project manager. She had been living a saturated land stability life in Kharkiv before twenty years old. Then lived in Mariupol, Kyiv, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, and Sambir. Graduate ULA ‘2022 (Mariupol center). Master of public management and administration. Completed an internship at Khmelnytskyi and Sambir city’s council.

«The idea of liberty it’s about love and respect for freedom of choice».

Roksolana has been an activist in Ukrainian Student for Freedom since the summer of 2023, but she has been a dedicated follower of the organization long before her «official induction». She grew up in a small town in Galichyna, and in 2020 she was enrolled in the Lviv School of Physics and Mathematics. In 2021, she became a member of the Lviv Debate Club, and in 2022, she joined the Debate Club at the Ukrainian Catholic University. During 2021-2022, she conducted research within the Junior Academy of Sciences in Ukraine in the fields of law and history, and she wrote and defended a research paper on the latter topic. During the full-scale invasion, Roksolana temporarily attended a German school, where she founded the «What is Ukraine» project, delivering five lectures to over 200 students on the history of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Since the summer of 2023, Roksolana has actively participated in the NGO «European Youth Parliament», where she organized a 5-day Training Camp for over 60 participants in Chernivtsi. She is also a graduate of the John Galt School in 2023 and has completed the «Objectivist Thought Leaders Program» by the Ayn Rand Center in Ukraine. In the fall of 2023, Roksolana successfully executed seven projects, the most notable of which are the «Atlas Talks» initiative, aimed at helping teenagers determine their prospects in science, business, and IT; and «Youth With Money» (YWM), a financial literacy academy through which the youth of Lviv and Kharkiv learned about economic freedom. In the summer of 2023, she became a finalist in the Ukraine Global Scholars program and has since been actively working on gaining admission to the world’s top universities.

«Freedom is the ability to create one’s life entirely through one’s own choices. It’s when your time and resources belong solely to you and depend on you. Freedom means having the power to shoulder the responsibility and speak through your actions. I couldn’t prevent a full-scale invasion, but I can do my utmost for Victory. I can’t change the time of sunrise, but I can control my time. I can’t learn a foreign language in three days, but I can learn it in three years. Freedom is the ability to accept what cannot be changed and fight for what can be changed. Freedom is a dynamic process that serves as the litmus test of a person’s happiness».

Oleksandr is a student of the State Tax University. Born and raised in a small town in the Sumy Region, where he moved to Irpin to study in 2020. From his school years, he liked the history of Ukraine and jurisprudence, which later contributed to the choice of a legal specialty. The global pandemic in the form of COVID-19 changed his perception of student life. During his studies, he took an active part in student self-government bodies. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he participated in volunteer projects. In 2023, he joined the Lawmaker’s School, after which he had the opportunity to complete an internship in the reception room of a People’s Deputy. Later, after finding a favorable and powerful youth community, he joined the USF.

«Freedom is the highest value to which every person strives. It means the opportunity to make a choice, live the way you want, and not be limited by anything or anyone. Freedom allows us to grow, develop, and realize our potential».

Pavlo Oleksandrovich Chasnovsky. He was born into a family of deaf parents in 2002. He graduated from primary school in 2012, after which he went to study at the gymnasium until 2019. In 2019, I entered the specialty of law at the National University of Ukraine, where I am still studying for a master’s degree. In the same year, he was baptized in the Church, promising God a good conscience.
In 2020, he decided to study at the Irpin Bible Seminary to become a sign language interpreter. Since 2019, he has been an active public figure and organizer of many educational and Christian large-scale events, including meetings, camps, festivals, conferences, and city-wide gatherings for young people. He visited many settlements to help others. I worked for a certain period at the «Heritage» BF and for more than a year I have been helping deaf families in Odesa with food kits. Like everyone else, I do volunteer work to support the military and vulnerable people. I have done a lot of good things, but also bad things, so there is still a lot of work ahead.

«USF shows the way to all the possibilities». 

Timur is an USF activist. He was born in Kropyvnytskyi, where he became interested in the ideas of freedom. After he had finished school, he entered the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Philosophy). Already in Kyiv, he got to know the members of the USF and set himself the goal of joining it, which corresponds to his values. In the end, it happened in 2023.

«USF is a public organization that gives people in different parts of Ukraine the opportunity to unite under common ideals and for a common goal. These ideals are ideas of freedom, both political and economic, as well as individual. All members of the USF set themselves the goal of unceasing development of themselves, as well as the development of Ukraine, its improvement according to the ideology of libertarianism».

Ustym is a USF activist who is a second-year student in the Ethics-Politics-Economics program at UCU. He has been a long-time scout and is also a member of another student organization, the Ukrainian Student League, where he is engaged in communications with companies and foundations, as well as writing grants in the fundraising department. Ustym also writes plots for YouTube videos, teaches English, manages the Instagram page of the Free Space shop, and organizes various projects (when he has free time). He joined USF in 2023 after the Leadership Program.

«Prometheus became the one who brought fire to people. The powers that be of that world did not like this. They chained him to a rock. Those who have political power in this world also do not want people to have fire. Fire in the hearts. However, this fire is stronger than any coercion. The fire of freedom always burns in our hearts. The USF only stirs it up».

Myroslava has been an activist of the «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» since 2023. She was born and grew up in the picturesque village of Somkova Dolyna, in the Kyiv region. In 2019, she moved to Kyiv and entered the Pavlo Chubynsky Academy of Arts, majoring in «Management of Socio-Cultural Activities». Since 2023, she has been a student of the National Academy of Managerial Personnel of Culture and Arts. I first got acquainted with the activities of the organization in the summer of 2023 after seeing the announcement of the Leadership Program. The mission and principles of Ukrainian Students for Freedom ignited a fire in the heart and an even greater thirst to make changes in their state together with like-minded people.

«Freedom is like the sun. There is nothing more powerful and better than her in the world». The value of freedom for me is the free choice to create and implement one’s plans and ideas, it is the improvement of individual development, creativity, and self-realization. Youth is the driving force, and freedom is our highest value».

Anastasiia is a socially active person from Berdychiv, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the National Technical University of Ukraine «Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute» and is continuing her studies at the master’s level. She entered the master’s programme at Ariel University in Israel, specialising in Molecular Biology under the UGU programme. She is an alumnus of the student organisation BEST Kyiv (2020-2023), organised engineering competitions, was a member of the organisation’s board, mentor, and gave training lectures for the organisation’s members. Worked as an HR intern in L&D at Materialise (2021-2022). She has been working as a programme manager at KSE since 2023.

«Freedom is a conscious choice of responsibility. It should be based on the ideas of individualism, in which it can be most effective. The USF is a community of young, conscious and active people who convey the ideas of freedom to others. At the same time, the USF creates a cadre that builds a subjective independent Ukraine».

Nazar is a USF activist. He was born and raised in the city of Lutsk, Volyn region, where he graduated from the N14 Gymnasium (Lyceum) named after Vasyl Sukhomlynskyi. In the future, he studied for a bachelor’s degree at the Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka, majoring in Law. The path in the public sector began in the summer of 2022 with the co-founding of the Lutsk branch «The European Law Students Association», where for a year he exercised the powers of the President. Joined the USS network in August 2023.

«Freedom is an individual’s ability to choose for himself the most optimal, in his opinion, option of his behavior. In my opinion, a fair society in which the interests of all its members are taken into account is possible only when each individual clearly understands his values ​​and interests, which is impossible without freedom. That is why I believe that freedom is a prerequisite for a healthy society».

Dmytro was born in 2003 in a small village in the Cherkasy region, it was called Mala Burimka. There he grew up in a happy family with many children. He graduated from high school, which showed him his future path, while he was still a participant in various programs, and received city prizes in philosophy, history, and Ukrainian studies, was a member of the round table of the Small Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. After school, he entered the Poltava State Agrarian Academy, which later became a university. Dmytro was interested in political science as a science from school, and that is why he decided to devote his life to it. As the years went by, Dmytro changed jobs, and studied, and then the war began… The war took everyone by surprise, well, not Dmytro, he was ready for it, days went by, and the war was going on when Dmytro had already been a volunteer for a long time and devoted himself to the «Civilian Readiness Center» project. organization, and shared their views on the world.

«For me, freedom is not just words or an ideal, it is a way of life and a goal. I have always preferred work, whatever I want without radicalism, for me freedom is permission for all actions except violence».

Victoria is an activist of the USF. Lives and grew up in the city of Korosten. Graduated from school in 2023. After school, she decided to engage in self-development. At the moment, he is not studying at the university. Joined the USF libertarian movement at LP 2023.

«Freedom is not in doing what you want, but in doing what you ought».

Yaroslav was born in Ternopil. Here he finished his studies in the history class of the lyceum school, after which, naturally, he obtained a full higher education at the history faculty of the Ternopil Pedagogical University. Since 2018, he has been actively involved in volunteering at an NGO. 2020 can be considered the year of his informal entry into the ranks of the organization because since that time he has been inextricably linked with the founders of the Ternopil branch of the USF, who also turned out to be his old friends even on a part-time basis. At the Leadership Program of 2023, he was finally established in the USF as a full-fledged activist, after almost three years of active support, which included both the co-organization of events of the Ternopil branch and a lecture at one of them.

«An expression of freedom is the awareness of one’s subjectivity concerning the surrounding reality, as a consequence – the awareness of the ability to make changes in this reality by exerting volitional efforts. USF is precisely an environment that accumulates people with similar views and similar intentions, so why not try to unite your aspirations with like-minded people?»

Anna is an activist of the USF. She grew up in the Pervomaisk city, Mykolaiv region. There she graduated from school and entered the Pervomaisk College of Admiral Makarov National Shipbuilding University, where she is still studying law. She joined the organization in the summer of 2023, after the leadership program.

«…you can take cities and win battles, but you can’t conquer an entire nation».

Ivanna joined the USF in 2023.

As Brydens said: «Passivity is the greatest danger to freedom». Pushed by these words, Ivanna joined the USF to fight for freedom, for the opportunity to be, do, and live.

Zoriana joined the USF after the Leadership Program in 2023. She is taking the position of an activist now. Rivne is the city where she was raised and born. Since childhood, she has been involved in different activities such as art school, theatre and dance club, English language school, and volunteering. She started her community service in 2018 by assisting the organization of youth projects with the «Peace Corps». Next following years, they established a youth public organization called «The Leadership Engagement Activism Program». Zoriana participated in many international theatre festivals in Poland and Zakarpattia, in the school of media and journalism from Ukrainian Cultural Found, in a global teaching education platform «Technovation» and other opportunities. At the beginning of the russian war in Ukraine, she volunteered on the Ukrainian and Polish border helping refugees. In 2022 Zoriana was selected as a finalist of the «Future Leaders Exchange program» administrated by the US Department of State. She got a scholarship to study in an American high school and to live with a host family for one year. She did her best to represent Ukrainian culture and create mutual connections with Americans by making presentations and organizing fundraisers to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

«Freedom is the sense of my life because without it I would forced to live someone else’s life, fulfill not my wishes, and believe in what more powerful people want. In that case, I am highly interested in defending the ideologies of democracy, justice, and liberalism on the political, economic, and cultural fronts. USF is not only a public organization, but an incredible community of like-minded people, volunteers, politicians, philosophers, soldiers, patriots, and all other activists. They are eager to protect people’s rights and raise awareness about freedom in society. Nowadays, during the Russian terror against Ukraine, it is historically crucial to preserve the homeland of liberal, democratic, and free Ukraine».

Illia is a creative activist of the USF. He was born and raised in Vinnytsia, where he graduated from school #22 in 2020. During the last two years of studying there, Ilia held the position of President of the student self-government of his school. He was also a member of the Children’s Advisory Council under the mayor, a member of MBI (Youth Bank of Initiatives), and the Head of the city youth association «Leader». In 2020, Illia won «Leader of the Year» and «Face of Vinnytsia». The same year, he entered KNU, named after T.G. Shevchenko, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in «System Analysis». Illia is quite actively involved in public life. During his student years, he was actively engaged in the work of the (ESN) Erasmus Student Network, was the chairman of the Electoral Commission of students of his faculty, was the IT company Soft Serve ambassador, and joined FRI camps as a participant. Currently, Illia is the director of the MASCOT (volunteer English-language summer camp for teenagers), works as a mathematics teacher at the Kyiv International Lyceum «Study Academy High School», and participates in various educational events, including from the USF.

«In short, USF is about Freedom, community, and changemakers. Freedom is not about unlimited permissiveness but the ability to make one’s own choice and take responsibility for it. It’s about a community of intelligent, purposeful, and hardworking people, each with expertise and whom you will always listen to with delight and interest. It is about change-making young people who build themselves and the communities around them, join in change-making activities, and show by their example that Freedom is the principal value of the Ukrainian nation».

Mariia is an activist of the USF. She was born and raised in Lviv region. In 2022, she graduated from VPC LNUP, where she received a diploma with honors in the specialty «Accounting and Taxation». Having realized her true passion for another science, she began her journey at Lviv State University of Life Safety DSNS Ukraine majoring in Psychology, where she is now a third-year student. He believes that it is never too late to change something, because the ability to change is a manifestation of Freedom. In August 2023, at the Leadership Program, she received the status of an activist of the NGO «Ukrainian Students for Freedom».

«USF is the space of the Free. Those inside the organization are filled with the ideas of Freedom and “infect” the environment with them. This is extremely necessary for the liberation of our consciousness. A space where everyone has the opportunity to reveal their Leader potential and Learn to Act».

This is Hanna, a member of the USF. Hanna grew up in Bilogorodka in the Kyiv region. Due to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, she temporarily moved to Vienna, where she graduated from a Ukrainian school. In 2022, she returned to Ukraine and entered the D.Halytskyi Lviv National Medical University for the specialty «Medicine». She learned about USF at the event «Your Student Right» from Kyril Dymov and Adil Abduramanov in Lviv on July 12. It was the last day of registration for the PL 2023 and her first step on the way to the USF.

«Freedom for me is fire. Burning tires on V. Hrushevskyi Str. flares on Bankova Str., the explosion of an oil depot in Belgorod, a burning tank with a russian soldier, the flame of candles at the USF dedication — all these are the unifying fire of Freedom. The fire that prompts to choose and fight for the choice made. USS helped me find it in myself, burn my fear and not be afraid to challenge either myself or the world. I chose Freedom, and it burns in my heart».

Oleksandr was born in the picturesque city of Novhorod-Siversky in the northern part of Ukraine, where he spent his childhood and completed his schooling. Since 2020, he has been studying law in the city of Chernihiv. He has a passion for history and traveling. During his studies at the higher education institution, he distinguished himself as an active and dedicated student. From 2021 to 2022, he held the position of deputy head of the student self-government at the Academy. In 2022-2023, he served as the deputy head of the Academy’s Scientific Society. In 2023, he made significant changes in his life and became actively involved in community activities, discovering new horizons for self-improvement and exploring different parts of Ukraine. He is a graduate of the «Together for Success» summer school by the IOM, the summer school by the OSCE, and the Anti-Corruption Camp by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. From May to October 2023, he completed an International Internship for Students program on the topic of «Virtuous Public Service: Myth or Reality?» In August 2023, after a Leadership Program, he joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom.

«For me, freedom is the right to choose, the right to have this choice. The USF is the place where diverse youth have come together around this fundamental principle into one big family. It is the students of USF who should become the vanguard of change in the future. As years pass, the people who carry freedom in their hearts will become outstanding: politicians, scientists, entrepreneurs… In other words, the nation’s elite that will bring prosperity to our country!»

Iryna is an activist with Students of Freedom. She grew up in Dnipro, where she graduated from school. From 2021, she studied at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, majoring in Law. In 2023, she entered the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in Psychology. She joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2023. She is actively engaged in learning foreign languages and self-development.

«For me, freedom is the ability to choose my life path and influence changes in my country. It is the ability to express your thoughts and beliefs without restrictions. It is also a responsibility because freedom is also manifested in the responsibility for one’s actions and influence on others. It allows us to be ourselves, to develop our potential, and to contribute to improving the world around us».

Mykhailo was born in a small town. Later, he began studying at Kharkiv Polytechnic University, specializing in «Computer Science». Yes, he’s an engineer, but programming and mathematics are incredibly creative pursuits. However, he had to learn to see all the beauty in them. In addition to this, he is interested in cognitive sciences and startups.

«USF is like a living fabric where threads of freedom are woven. Each member of this community is like a string in the symphony of free ideas, creating harmony in society. Together, we weave a tapestry where every knot represents a contribution to the legacy of freedom. USF opens the doors to independent thinking, free choice, and the opportunity to bring our ideas to life. Here, we understand that freedom is not just a word on paper; it’s our common goal and our shared path to its realization».

Mykhailo is an even-handed person. Combines learning, creativity, and self-development with other everyday things. He was born in Chernihiv. He studied at 15 lyceums and, after passing the ZNO with very low scores, entered KPI. He was disappointed in my specialty at the university, at the end of the first year, as soon as he started receiving financial self-education and studying the business field. Now he is aiming much higher than three years ago, when he joined KPI. Joined USS in the summer of 2023, and immediately began to enjoy the environment he received.

«The only place where there are 300 people and you are not afraid that your things will be stolen is the Leadership Program».

Polina is a USF activist. She was born in Kyiv, where she is currently studying in the 11th grade of school. In 2024, she plans to apply to universities to pursue an education in medicine. She graduated from a music school, is a leader of a high school association in Kyiv, is a volunteer, and has an interest in learning foreign languages. She learned about the libertarian movement after attending an event at the Ayn Rand Center in Ukraine from other USF activists. Polina has a wide range of interests, in which activism plays an important role.

«The ideas of libertarianism deeply resonate with my values and perspectives on life. For me, freedom is, first and foremost, responsibility; for what you have and for what you can do. Freedom is the ability to choose freely, a life without restrictions and coercion. Freedom is about personal autonomy, the ability to always have a choice, it is the potential for opportunities and the development of the country. Freedom is what I so strongly desire to have in my country».

Volodymyr is a USF activist. This guy is from the planet Earth, which is not far from the Moon, where he wanted to fly to see the Earth from the side and understand that human problems are just a grain of sand in space. There is such a wonderful city of Kharkiv on the planet, where he grew up and became a student of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts majoring in 022 «Graphic Design», where he participated in student self-government as a volunteer and worked as a laboratory assistant. His main project was the development of alternative information transmission, which is closely related connected with art. His message was the promotion of art and the inspiration of earthlings on Earth and beyond.

«To be free and have the right to choose in our time, not everyone can include this ability in their life. Therefore, I am looking for ways to damage corruption and fix the old patch of power».

Yelyzaveta is a first-year bachelor’s degree student, majoring in «Cybersecurity» at the National University «Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic». Her interest in freedom and social activism became evident during her participation in the 2023 leadership program, prompting her to join the organization. Currently, Yelyzaveta is an active member of the Zaporizhzhia facility, where she assists colleagues in organizing events aimed at promoting awareness and education on freedom and civil society. Additionally, she is involved in the development of an application aimed at improving the perception of individuals with PTSD in society.

«In the relentless pursuit of freedom, we unravel the depths of our being and discover the essence of our purpose on this earthly journey. Freedom holds immense significance, for it allows me to express my thoughts, beliefs, and aspirations without constraint, shaping my individuality and fostering growth. Moreover, within a community, freedom forms the cornerstone of a vibrant society, fostering unity, dialogue, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. It empowers us collectively, allowing us to build a world where tolerance, empathy, and progress thrive harmoniously».

Mariana is an activist of the USS. She was born and grew up in the picturesque village of Stari Kuty, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. She also graduated from school there, where she was the head of the TEMP student government from 2018 to 2019. In 2019, she started studying at the Yurii Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University, majoring in «Secondary Education (Biology and Human Health)», because she cannot imagine her life without inquisitive students and the opportunity to share knowledge with them. In 2023, she will receive the long-awaited bachelor’s degree and continue to obtain a master’s degree in the same specialty. One evening, she asked if there were plans for summer hikes in the mountains, and ended up on the 2023 Leadership Program in Medzhibozh. This is how her love for the bright yellow color and USF began.

«Freedom is not being afraid to be loud, defending your values and ideas. That’s why I’m here to shout to everyone about our highest value, about Freedom!»

It is necessary not to write but to do something. Work hard for a goal. And then they will write our biographies for us.

USF — Freedom, Ideas, People. The future of Ukraine is being built here. And Freedom is rocket fuel for our bright future.

Yevgenia is a student at Taras Shevchenko KNU. She grew up in Kharkiv, where she graduated from school. Since 2021, he is studying at KNU, majoring in Biology. She joined the libertarian movement at the 2023 leadership program, before that she was actively interested in the ideas of democracy and participated in the Kharkiv dream project.

«Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth».

Anastasia is a USF activist. She was born and raised in the city of Dnipro, where she began her thorny journey. Since childhood, she has been involved in sports, namely modern dance, and is a member of a team that wins prizes at national competitions. Anastasiia has repeatedly participated in projects aimed at improving diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the United States. Since 2023, she has been studying translation at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. She is also an activist in a volunteer project that has been providing free educational services to all Ukrainian schoolchildren for 2 years.

«The USF is the very engine, the light that keeps motivated young people, active and committed to change, on track. I joined the USF to find people close to me in spirit and I was right, this is a community where everyone’s opinion is important, whether it is an activist or a functionary – everyone is equal, but at the same time unique and individual. The USF is a motivation to act, to change the world, and to change oneself».

Ira is an activist of the USF. She was born in Drohobych, where she lived for 17 years. In 2022 she became a student at the National University «Ostroh Academy» and moved to a new city. Since entering the university she has been actively volunteering. Participated in two short-term Erasmus+ youth exchanges in France and Poland. She learns foreign languages and teaches English at the online school «Speak». Also loves watching videos about world politics and “not boring” history. Like dancing and riding a bike in her spare time. Joined the USF in the summer of 2023.

«Ukraine begins with you, and the USF is a community that will help you start making change».

Valeria is an activist of the «Ukrainian Students for Freedom». She joined the organization during the «Leadership Program 2023». She hails from Korosten in the Zhytomyr region. She is studying Law at Zhytomyr Polytechnic University.

«For me, the value of freedom means the successful future of our country, which I have always desired and striven for. I believe that «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» is, first of all, an organization that can provide an opportunity to develop oneself as a person, to improve and convey the ideas of freedom to the masses, and to enhance citizens’ awareness of their rights and other social aspects of life. Since freedom is the most important value for people, we must ensure it for future generations, starting with us, and, in doing so, ensure a successful future for both ourselves and our country».

Ruslan is an activist of USF. He was born in Kyiv and grew up in the city of Bila Tserkva, where he completed his schooling. In 2022, he enrolled at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in “Geography: Urban Studies” He joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom movement in the summer of 2023, when he participated in the leadership program in July.

«Values and the struggle for freedom have always been an inseparable part of Ukraine’s history. Freedom is the highest value we can aspire to. It embodies our rights to self-expression, choice, and dignity. For the sake of freedom, people have stood at the forefront of many fronts and revolutions, sacrificing their time, energy, and sometimes even their lives. Freedom allows us to think freely, express our thoughts and beliefs, choose our way of life, and influence society. This struggle is not always easy and requires determination and courage, but its results will bear fruit for future generations. The fight for freedom is a fight for human rights and the opportunity for individuals to realize themselves in this world. This is not only the task of individuals but of the entire society. Together, we can ensure that the value of freedom remains alive and untouched for everyone».

Ruslana is an USF activist. Since 2022, she has been studying at the Zaporizhzhya National University for a degree in International Economy. She is a member of the Erasmus Youth Mobility program. Ruslana works as a tutor of the Ukrainian language and prepares students for exams.

«Everyone has the right to free choice and acceptance. Freedom is my whole life, something I am always ready to fight for».

Denis is an activist of USF. He was born in Sevastopol but spent most of his life in Mykolaiv, where he completed his schooling. His interest in history and politics grew significantly from the 9th grade, shaping his future path. Cenis is studying International Relations at Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University. At the onset of the full-scale invasion, Denis became a volunteer and joined efforts in assisting the wounded in the hospital the next day. He and his team also established a municipal guard that defended the city at night against looters, vandals, and adversaries. Following their municipal guard duties, Denis and his friend helped establish the SpivDiya humanitarian center in Mykolaiv. This center provided significant aid to the citizens of Mykolaiv with food and supplies, operating for several months before being closed down. In February 2023, they were already involved in a new project, setting up the Goncharenko Center, where they offered free educational services. Today, Denis is an active member of USF, assisting with fundraising in the volunteer organization «Second Front».

«Freedom is the highest value we cherish and are willing to fight for. Ukrainian Students for Freedom embody strength, courage, and faith in a future where everyone can live in a country where the rights and dignity of every citizen are protected».

Volodymyr was born in Mykolaiv, where he received the basis of his education. He graduated from Mykolaiv Gymnasium No. 2, having already shown a great interest in knowledge and a willingness to travel. This interest influenced his future path. After graduation, Volodymyr decided to expand his horizons and entered Kyiv National Economic University to study International Economics. During his studies, he received an offer to work at Ernst & Young (EY), a large international audit firm. He accepted the opportunity and has been working as an auditor in this company, where he has proven himself as a professional and expert in financial audit and consulting. He obtained the international certification CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), which emphasized his professional competence. Along with his work at EY, Volodymyr decided to develop his knowledge in the field of public policy. He enrolled in the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) for a master’s degree in Public Policy and Governance to understand the impact of economic decisions on society and to contribute to improving public governance in Ukraine.

«For me, Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a fresh wind of ideas. I am fascinated by the students’ desire to create and preserve traditions and remember the price of freedom.»

Mykhailo is a USF activist. He had experience traveling since childhood and managed to live in the Dnipro, Crimea, and in a Bulgarian village somewhere in the Odesa region. Since childhood, he was interested in setting up a computer, so the choice of profession was clear. At the time of filling, Mykhailo is studying Computer Science at KPI and works as a programmer. Joined the ranks of the organization in 2023.

«He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)».

Anton Radko is an activist of the Uzhgorod branch of the USS. He graduated from Mukachevo Secondary School No. 1, I-III years. In 2021, he is studying for a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the Uzhhorod National University. He is the operations manager of the Mukachevo branch of the «Zahody» NGO and the chief coordinator of the «School of Emotional Happiness» NGO. In 2021-2023, deputy and head of the Scientific Society of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Uzhhorod National University. Since July 2023, he has been a member of the executive committee of the NGO «Ukrainian Students’ Association». He completed an internship at the Uzhhorod City Council. Was a member of many forums. He has completed many trainings in project management, teamwork, and community work, which is confirmed by certificates. He has more than 10 scientific publications on political science topics.

«Freedom is the sweetest fruit, which is grown by daily work on one’s consciousness and behavior».

Oleksandra is an activist in USF. She grew up in Kovel, Volyn Oblast. During her school years, she actively contributed to the development of her city by conducting leadership training and organizing various games, including «What? Where? When?» in both Ukrainian and English. Currently, Oleksandra is a third-year student in the Economics and Economic Policy program at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and actively participates in university life. Her interests include books, skiing, board games, and meeting good people. She became acquainted with the USF during the Leadership Program in 2023, where she fell in love with the organization and libertarianism.

«Freedom to me is not just a concept; it’s a way of life where each of us has the right to make free choices and pursue personal growth. USF is a fantastic community where I find myself among good people united by a noble purpose. For me, USF is my entirely comfortable “bubble” where we collectively shape a future based on the values of freedom».

Sofia is a USF activist. She grew up in Kharkiv, where she studied first at Lyceum 107, then at the College of the National Pharmaceutical University, and then entered the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (majoring in law and economics). Joined the ranks of the USF during the 2023 Leadership Program.

«For me, freedom is one of the most important values ​​of both a person and society as a whole. Freedom is given to us from birth, and our main task is to preserve it throughout our lives. Freedom is expressed in actions, goals, beliefs, and even thoughts. Many factors influence freedom: the people around us and their views; resistance to certain beliefs of each individual and methods of influencing them; public awareness and information provided by primary sources and their derivatives; the ability to filter information and maintain impartiality in one’s views. For this, it is essential to teach society to defend its borders, this is the basis for preserving freedom. In order not to be influenced by the outside and to be able to protect personal freedom, it is necessary first to understand «what is it for»? We need it for the «feeling of freedom» or «security», or maybe in general – a complex of these. It is individual for each individual. The freedom of society begins with the freedom of every citizen. Freedom must be with the awareness of owning it, without this freedom is not effective».

Born in the glorious city of Poltava, Bohdan attended three schools during his education, two of which were private, by the way. He became passionate about civic activism, and project activities, and the patriotic Ukrainian idea came to him in the eighth grade. He enrolled at KPI, where he also got involved in student self-government and was active with ULA Kyiv. It was the members of ULA who introduced Bohdan to the NGO movement. Learning about the USF from them, he thought it over and became a supporter. I participated in the actions of the Poltava and Kyiv branches. Bohdan went through the Leadership Program in 2023.

‘Even in the midst of the most unfavorable circumstances, we should not give up or despair.’

Mariia is an activist of the USF. She grew up in the village of Heronymivka, Cherkasy Region, graduated from Heronymivka Secondary School. From 2015 to 2018, she studied at the Cherkasy Commercial Technical School, which she left in 2018 for social projects and self-development. Then she continued and graduated from the same specialty of Food Technologies at the Cherkasy Cooperative Economic and Legal College from 2020 to 2021. She joined the USF in 2018, through the organization’s congress in Vinnytsia. She has experience working in many social projects, is not indifferent to politics and public welfare. She dreams of beautiful cities and conscious citizens.

«Freedom is about mental awareness and awareness that there are many options for the development of events and self-development. This is an opportunity to express yourself, thereby being useful to yourself and others. With your correct freedom, set an example and inspire others. It’s not being too limited by something, and not feeling like you’re in chains. It is thinking outside the box.»

An active student! Since 2021, he has been engaged in social activities! A bit of an architect, more of an engineer 🙂

«To be free = to be happy.»

Margo is an USF activist. She lived most of her life in the city of Sosnivka in Galicia. From 2019 to 2023, she studied at the Dnipro National University named after Oles Honchar in the direction of ‘Japanese Philology’.

‘Actively participated in the public sector since 2017; In 2022-2023, she worked as a journalist in the regional media “Echo of Chervonograd” and interned in the investigative media ‘18000’. Studied at the journalism program ‘Fellowship for MediaMakers’. He is engaged in regional youth policy and works in the field of fundraising in the ‘National Network for the Development of Local Philanthropy’. She joined USF in the summer of 2023, having entered the Leadership Program.’

Victoria is an activist of the USF. She was born and raised in Tysmenytsia City in the Ivano-Frankivsk region where she graduated from school. From a young age, she nurtured the ideas of freedom and nationalism. Since 2014 she has become a volunteer and took an active part in integrating people with disabilities into society. She believes that they are not people with limited opportunities, but society creates barriers for people with disabilities which violates their freedom. In 2018 she moved to Ternopil and entered I. Ya. Horbachevsky TNMU. She learned about USF on the eve of the full-scale invasion at the event organized by the Ternopil department of USF. USF’s ideas and values impressed her so she immediately became a supporter and the following year an activist. She believes that USF is a rewarding platform where she will benefit a lot of people.

‘Freedom is a component of existence without which no nation can survive.’

Vladyslav is a student of UCU, grew up in the city of Vinnytsia. Joined USF in 2023. Conducts active volunteer and scientific activities within the university. He also completed an internship in media platforms.

‘The most important kind of Freedom is to be what you really are.’

Vladyslav is a 2nd year student of the Ethics-Politics-Economics program at the Ukrainian Catholic University. Since the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year, he has been a member of the Student Initiative Working Group, engaged in the development of proposals for changes in his study program. Vladyslav was born in Zaporizhzhia, where he was raised and graduated from school. In the 11th grade, he took part in the FLEX program and studied in Idaho, USA. During this time, he participated in speech and debate competitions and became a member of the National Speech and Debate Association. After graduation, in 2020-2021, he took part in the formation program at the Lviv branch of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. Vladyslav’s interests include philosophy, politics, religion, urbanism, and related fields. He enjoys traveling around Ukraine, meeting new people, and exploring religious communities.

‘The expression “trends we don’t like prevail while we keep silent” in my understanding is inextricably linked to freedom.The freedom to choose the world I live in, to be a full-fledged participant in it, to show determination and courage in the face of destructive processes. And occasionally, on the contrary, openness to being wrong. It is through the expression of our own opinions that we encounter the response of others – support, disagreement, opposition; it is in this process that we interact with the world and find our own place.’

Ivanna was born and raised in Kyiv. In recent years at the lyceum she’s become more involved in political processes in Ukraine through public activism. Not long after, with a background in social activities (school self-government, organization of models UN, debates etc.) and a keen interest in national consciousness phenomenon and post-colonial studies, she won a 100% tuition scholarship and enrolled in political science at UCU in 2022. She graduated from both general and music school with high remarks. Later in the university Ivanna became a member of experimental noise band “Korysni kopalyny”. While continuing organizing events like MUN or crisis games with her school friends on behalf of the NGO “Prosvita”, Ivanna got into the leadership program and became an activist of the USF in 2023. The issue of freedom is one of the key ones in her scientific interest in forming independent freedom of the Ukrainian state and nation.

‘Freedom is an integral part of the human personality, but this does not prevent widespread neglect of these values. We still live in a society with the trauma of totalitarianism and sometimes we cannot imagine that we have the right just to be ourselves and act freely. Therefore, for me, USF is about our recovery. When a young active segment of society will focus its efforts on common (and therefore personal for everyone) well-being instead of establishing norms, pressures and restrictions, it may mark a new beginning for the state, only this time the initiative to build society will come from below.’

Kyrylo lives to create. From the age of fifteen, he decided to change his hometown, Odesa, for the better and fought with the bureaucracy system, obtaining permission to conduct volunteer actions. After that, realizing the importance of acquiring new knowledge, Kyrylo went into educational projects to get bogged down in them, until in 2022 he became a Young European Ambassador. Being a pillar of Ukraine’s European integration (as he sometimes said jokingly), Kyrylo participated in various projects as a Young European Ambassador, and had the opportunity to represent Ukraine at the third European Forum of Young Leaders, as part of the European Economic Forum. Running for the ideas of freedom on his continent, Kyrylo joined the NO ‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom’.

«Freedom is not a gift, but a salary for a hard struggle.»

Kyrylo is a USF activist. He was born and lived most of his life in the city of Luhansk. A couple of years before entering the university, he moved to Shchastia, Luhansk region, where he finished school. Later, he moved to Kyiv. Since 2020, he has studied at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, majoring in International Relations, Regional Studies and Public Communications. He has been actively involved in student government and volunteer projects since his second year. Kyrylo joined USF in the summer of 2023.

‘I believe that freedom is the ability to change the state of affairs at any time, under any circumstances. In Ukraine, we feel it in our guts, because history always encourages us to take decisive, bold actions. During the war with Russia, young people who understand the meaning and necessity of an active civil society are crystallizing. Our organization makes a significant contribution to creating such a society.’

Lilia is an USF activist. She was born and raised in the city of Nikopol (Dnipro region), where she finished school. In 2020, she entered the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, specializing in Public Management. Since 2021, she has been a member of the ESTIEM student organization in the Kyiv local group. From July 2022 to July 2023, she was a member of the ESTIEM Board and held the position of Vice President of the HR Committee. In 2022, she became a scholarship holder of the Free Economy Institute’s annual program, where she became interested in and deepened her knowledge of libertarianism. She became part of the libertarian movement in the summer at the 2023 Leadership Program.

‘Freedom means responsibility. The responsibility to take your future into your own hands and build a better life. I am sure that only free youth can make society and the country better.’

Elina is an USF activist. She grew up in the city of Zaporizhzhia, where she graduated from high school. Since 2021, she has been studying at the College of Economics and Law of Zaporizhzhia National University, majoring in ‘Journalism, Publishing and Editing’. She joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2023, when she entered the ‘Leadership Program’ in August. Since winter 2023, she has been actively engaged in volunteer work. She was a volunteer at the ‘Ukrainian Volunteer Service’ NGO.

‘Freedom is our key to success, personal and national. There is nothing more important to people than freedom. In all its manifestations. Whether it is freedom of speech, action, or thought. We have fought for it before and we are fighting for it now.’

Natalia is a proud member of USF. She grew up in Uzhhorod, where she graduated from a gymnasium and was the only humanitarian class member who took a physics test for university. In 2018, she began her university journey at Kosice Technical University, where she studied artificial intelligence and electrical engineering for a year. Then in 2019 she changed her major to architecture and urban planning and moved to Lviv, where she got actively involved in community and volunteer work. Since 2020, she has been working as an ambassador for international exchanges and youth opportunities. In 2023 she took an academic leave and became a volunteer in Kharkiv, further strengthening her belief in the importance of freedom. In addition to her studies, she is also actively involved in startups (frequently participating in hackathons and UCU programs) and directly contributes to the restoration and improvement of cities in Ukraine with the Urban Reforms team. She’s an active fighter for inclusive, free, and smart cities.

‘Freedom comes at a high cost, but without it everything loses its meaning. I firmly believe that those who want to change the world will do so. USF is a place where young people are believed in, given tools and supported in their transformations. It’s a place where the value of freedom is understood not only in words but, above all, in actions and through experience. No one wields as much influence and power as young ambitious individuals who constantly dare because they believe in and seek freedom. The freedom to study what they want, to change when they don’t like something, to be free in their thoughts and expressions, to live wherever they desire… Freedom is a choice worth everything, your time, and even your life.’

Oleksandr was born in Lviv. He has been living in Kyiv since he was 5 years old. Since childhood, he has been interested in history and political science. In 2019, he graduated from school №155 and entered the Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. In 2023, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and pursued his master’s degree in the same specialty.
Founder of the “Kyiv Fraternity”, an organization that aims to form a new Ukrainian political and cultural elite from among students.
Manager of the “Ukrainian students abroad” project, which unites students from Ukraine who were forced to leave for Europe due to the Russian invasion.

‘When I was coming to the Leadership Program, I was hoping to get useful contacts that might be useful in my future career development, but I found so much more here – great friends and an incredible social bubble. Conservative ideologists often talk about the concept of “small communities” – non-governmental associations of people that form civil society and make the state viable. Ukrainian Students for Freedom is one of those very important small units. At a personal level, I decided what the USF mean for me when I heard the phrase “my fire is your fire” at the initiation. It seems to me that this phrase encapsulates everything you need to know about the USF.’

Olya is a USF activist. She was born and lived for 18 years in Kropyvnytskyi. She graduated from the Lyceum of Arts, where she studied folk dances for 15 years. In 2022, I entered KUBG as a philologist of the Chinese language, but realized that it was not for me, so I entered the same university again, only for cyber security. She was always a leader. Member of the student council and parliament of the university.

‘USF is a big family, where everyone has their own ideas on how to improve our state. You will always find like-minded people here. Thanks to USF, I got acquainted with the ideas of libertarianism. The USF family are people who do everything possible to live in a free, independent country.’

Pavlo is from Nova Kakhovka and is very proud of it. Many memories are associated with that city, and he is ready to talk about it for a long time
He lived in Lviv for a year while studying at ULA. During that time, he managed to form a very powerful circle of people, gain experience, which helps a lot even now.

Entered the Kyiv School of Economics for the first year of Software Engineering and Business Analysis. In addition to studying, he is quite actively engaged in debates, little by little he does something in that Kyiv, develops self-government in university, well, a little bit of a volunteer, a little bit of a public activist, a little bit more of a tourist. He adores the mountains, he is ready to spend a huge amount of time there if there is an opportunity, in the last year he has become interested in hitchhiking.

‘I’m not yet sure what USF means for me right now. Now I can’t say that the organization, the people in it are very close to me, but it’s definitely a powerful community, and I’m glad that I can move in it.’

Solomiya is a USF activist. She was born and raised in Lviv and graduated from Lviv Secondary School #91. As a finalist of the FLEX exchange program, she spent her senior year in Minnesota, USA. She is fond of volunteering, activism, participated in school government, and founded her project “SafeRoom”. She is currently studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, majoring in political science. Solomiia joined the organization in the summer of 2022 during the Leadership Program.

‘For me, Freedom is the ability to choose the future, it is independence and faith in the best. Activism is a space for change, and I believe that it is through joint efforts that we can achieve it.’

Anhelina was born in Varash, Rivne region. She was a member of the city’s youth council. She graduated from the Ukrainian Leadership Academy in 2021. Afterwards, she entered the Ukrainian Catholic University to study Cultural Studies.

‘For me, the values of freedom are the only way for Ukraine to succeed. I believe that conscious Ukrainian youth must be their ambassadors to study economics and join the rebuilding process. It is very important for us to think in order to build a value-based foundation for our common future.’

Yana became a USF activist in the summer of 2023. She was born and raised in the town of Perehynske. After finishing school, she enrolled in Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, where she continued her studies. Upon moving to Frankivsk, she started volunteering and engaging in civic activism, just as she had dreamed of since school.

‘Freedom is a gift that makes our existence real and unique, like a candle illuminating our path in the world, allowing us to choose and breathe freely.’

Andriy joined USF in 2023 long after the organization was created . He was born and raised in the city of Irpin, in the Kyiv region. From 2022, he is studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, majoring in International Relations, Public Communications and Regional Studies. In the spring of 2022, he completed a two-month training in the ‘Right Sector’ volunteer association. He also participated in various volunteer activities. Today he is a member of the ‘Association of Political Science Students’.

‘I can’t understand freedom. It is not subject to explanation. Limitations allow us to feel it: the painter’s freedom is placed in the frame, ours in life. In the USF boys and girls gathered whose greatness of soul (despite all the depravity) allows us to feel the limitations of the most disgusting forms: bureaucratic arbitrariness, human cruelty and weaknesses. We oppose ourselves with them.’

Illia grew up in Lutsk, Ukraine. Over time, he realized that it is necessary to take into account various spheres of life in order to make decisions that affect society in a positive way. Even back at school, he became interested in history, economics, geography, linguistics and many other subjects. Studied at various schools and at a certain stage changed university faculties to broaden horizons, was part of the student body. After finding out about USF, he was eager to join the organization. Currently, he is proud to be a part of this community.

‘I realized how important freedom is by being interested in history from an early age. Since then, I understood that any totalitarian regime can be very destructive for society. Therefore, the task of the generation of free people should be to support and kindle the fire of our freedom.’

Oleksandr is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. Born in Kyiv. Alumni of ULA Kharkiv 2021. Studies at NaUKMA, majoring in Cultural studies. Currently a third-year student. He works as a coordinator of youth projects at Detector Media, and is also a media literacy trainer. In parallel with this, he is engaged in OSINT intelligence. Loves running and cycling.

‘For me, USF is an organization capable of uniting very different people. And it creates great ideas and projects. I haven’t been in the USF for a long time, but the people I meet here are definitely strong and wise enough to understand that things will start to change around us only as a result of our own actions. For me, Freedom in my work manifests itself, in fact, in media literacy. This is a skill with which you can more correctly assess yourself and the events around you. Media literacy makes it possible to evaluate information and understand where it is really high-quality and true, and where it is not. I think you are well aware of the positive consequences of such knowledge.’

Daryna is a USF activist. She was born in Kharkiv, where she graduated from the 11th grade of a specialized school with an emphasis on learning foreign languages. In 2023, she began studying at the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts, where now she’s a part of the students’ parliament, at the department of easel painting. Daryna became a part of the USF after the leadership program in 2023, which Veronika Kupetska, the USF manager of communications, told her about. This happened when Veronika interviewed Daryna, the topic was about Daryna’s single picket against concert of Svetlana Loboda in Kharkiv.

‘I started exploring ideas of liberty and thinking about them deeper not so long ago, but as soon as I learned more about them, I immediately understood that this worldview suits me. For me, the USF is still a very new and unexplored story, but its beginning has already been established and will definitely continue, because I consider it’s effective to promote the ideas of freedom with the help of the USF. Our ukrainian society critically lacks them. Unfree people will not build a well-functioning country. Geopolitical mistake to the northeast of Ukraine tried to take free will of our people, and so the colossal consequences were left, but it is up to people like us to revive liberty in Ukraine.’

Hanna was born in Vinnytsia. She graduated from a humanitarian school with honors, in 2019 she entered the VNMU Medicine specialty. Participates in the Student Self-Government of VNMU since 2020. Furthermore, she also attends various trainings, lectures and conferences regularly. A member of the World Medical Association since 2023. In the summer of 2023, she became an activist of the USF.

‘USF is about opportunities, development, implementation and experience.’

Liza has been an activist of the USF since August 2023. She was born and raised in the city of Kyiv, graduated from one of the best lyceums in the capital and entered the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations to study International Relations. She was always interested in the progressive ideas of the development of Ukrainian society and the creation of a qualitatively new image of Ukraine in the international arena. Liza has participated in numerous international conferences and programs devoted to the topics of leadership development, state building, human rights protection, etc. In the summer of 2023, she started an internship in the team of one of the People’s Deputies of Ukraine. She believes that Freedom is an integral part of creation of a strong independent society and a prosperous country as a whole.

‘Freedom is not just a fancy term to describe free market economies, equal protection before the law, the ability to express oneself freely in creativity and cultivate diverse views. Freedom is the air that fills the lungs of society and supports the heartbeat of democracy. Its presence is necessary for every person’s life, which is why USF does its best to provide Freedom to all citizens of Ukraine, without any exception.’

Karyna was born in the town of Chortkiv in the Ternopil region. In her city, she actively developed youth policy at the local government level and implemented interesting projects for young people. In 2023, she entered the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, majoring in Psychology.

She joined the USF in 2023 after learning about the organisation from friends and realising that this is the community in which she wants to create in the future.

‘After attending the Leadership Program, I realized how much the values and people around me resonate with me. How much I want to build the future of Ukraine with them. The USF is a light that burns in each of us individually, and when we are together, it turns into a fire, hot and bright.’

Dana is an active student and just a good person. Originally from Zhytomyr Oblast, but since 2017 she has put down roots in Kyiv Oblast after graduating from the 9th grade. He is currently studying at the 4th year of Grygory Skovoroda University in Pereyaslav, where he currently lives. He works at a school teaching the younger generation computer science and mathematics. He is the head of the volunteer department in the student council of the university and a deputy of the youth council in the city of Pereyaslav.

She was involved in youth politics from the age of 15 until today. Volunteering in all its forms is at the top of the list, followed by advocacy of youth interests.
I got acquainted with USF in 2023 thanks to passing the Leadership Program.

‘… and every finish is, in fact, a start…’

Mariia was born in Mariupol. During her teenage years, she began engaging in community activities and took business courses from the ‘Khalabuda’, the Swedish camp UngDrive, and organized the city’s first roller speed skating competition. At the start of the full-scale invasion, she endured 21 days in the besieged city, after which she moved to the city of Dnipro. In 2022, she enrolled in the Ukrainian Leadership Academy. Over the course of a year, she initiated the ‘Svitlo/1778′ project, which raised funds for the needs of the Azovstal Fighters’ Family Association. Upon completing the Academy, she became an activist in the Ukrainian Student for Freedom and a volunteer trainer in the Ukrainian Volunteer Service. She took a gap year from my studies to explore my capabilities and relocated to Kyiv to be closer to project opportunities and teams.

‘In my family, I have two military members who defend our Freedom. Previously, I perceived Freedom as a value that the state should guarantee. Now, I am convinced that one must always fight for Freedom in all aspects of life. This way, Freedom becomes not something given but an achievement valued in proportion to the efforts made. Thanks to USF (Ukrainian Students for Freedom), I can deepen my knowledge on how I can secure my freedoms within a community of like-minded individuals.’

Roman is a software engineer, social activist, and rational egoist (or trying to be).

‘Freedom means more than the absence of restrictions, it implies the ability to develop freely, use one’s potential and achieve one’s goals, allowing one to live a full life.’

Sofia was born in the city of Poltava, graduated from the lyceum there, and from 2023 a student at the University of Presov in Slovakia. She is studying English-Slovak filology, plans to be a translator and a cultural figure who will be able to positively influence the society around her. In 2023, she joined the USF because she shares the values ​​of freedom and aspires to be an active participant in social changes.

‘Freedom is a choice. I try to do it every day.’

Andrew is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He studies in the city of Kyiv, where he changed schools after the 9th grade. He lives and spent his entire childhood in a village near Hostomel, where he moved when he was three years old. He decided to become part of the USF after participating in the Model of the Verkhovna Rada, where he got stuck in an elevator and then presented the position of a capitalist on the issue of legalizing medical cannabis, and later became part of the USS in the summer of 2023 at the Leadership Program in Medzhibozh. Took part in the economic olympiad from the Bendukizde Foundation at KSE.

‘For me, the idea of ​​freedom is the basis of everyone’s life. Freedom is not just empty words about how everything will be fine, freedom must be here and now. Our history shows that we always strived to be free, and gained freedom even when it was almost impossible. Even now, the active youth of Ukraine aspires to be free, to express their position without obstacles, to actually get a high-quality education, not what we have now.’

Vladyslav is a USF activist. Since 2021, he has been studying at the National Technical University of Ukraine «Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute», majoring in IT. He joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2023 when he learned about the USF organization.

«Liberation from oppression and enslavement is a fundamental value of freedom. Freedom gives people the opportunity to determine their own future and choose their own path in life. Freedom carries with it the obligation to protect other rights and freedoms, striving for harmony and justice in society. Freedom is the basis».

Angelina is an USF activist. She was born in the Mykolaiv region, where she graduated from school. Since 2023, she has studied at the Faculty of Architecture at the O.M. Beketov Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy. Joined USF in 2023 through the Leadership Program. He works as an outdoor advertising designer and volunteers.

‘For me, freedom means equality and justice. The older generation decided that young people do not have the right to express all their views on life. All people are equal, regardless of gender, age, religion… We are all the same, and we all have the right to live in a free country where everyone can freely express their opinion. Therefore, we strive to go to freedom!’

Hanna is a university student. She grew up in the city of Mykolaiv, where she graduated from school. He is currently in his third year at the National Shipbuilding University, named after Admiral Makarov, majoring in aviation and rocket-space engineering. In 2023, she joined the USF.

‘For me, freedom is what I live. This is the air that I breathe and without which I will die. For me, freedom is not only physical but also spiritual. Ability to move freely and express your thoughts freely. So I joined the USF community.’

Iryna is an activist of the USF. She was born in the Zhytomyr region, where she studied until the 7th grade. Then she entered the Rivne Regional Scientific Boarding Lyceum, where she studied for a year and where she developed a great love for Ukraine. By the 11th grade, she changed three schools. She got acquainted with the ideas of libertarianism in 2023 at the Leadership Program organized by ‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom’, after which she became a member of NGO.

‘The values of freedom, which are the basis of USF, opened my eyes and allowed me to see this world not through the prism of uncertainty. The USF has a large circle of like-minded people who are always ready to reveal and explain freedom-related problems. I sincerely believe that the values of USF lead to the prosperity of both our nation and the individual.’

Oleksandra is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Liberty. She grew up in the city of Kyiv, where she graduated from school. From 2019 to 2023, she studied at the State University of Trade and Economics majoring in International Economic Relations, and from 2023 she is a student at Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne University. She joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2023, when in August she passed the Leadership Program and joined the USF. As of 2023, she is a member of the Committee of the Ukrainian House on the Cité Internationale Universitaire Paris campus.

Freedom is a superpower. The greater the individual’s freedom, the greater his/her responsibility to support, defend and prevent it from expanding at the expense of the freedoms of the individuals around him. Freedom is the ability to build one’s life and surrounding space in accordance with self-chosen values. It is not about “I do whatever I want”. He/she says that ‘I am free to choose a goal, and I take full responsibility for the process of its implementation.’

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.’

Andrii is an activist of the NGO ‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom’, founder of the YouTube channel ‘PALATA’, interviewer, co-organiser of the Tusovochka.if apartment projects. Andriy is currently studying at King Daniel University in Ivano-Frankivsk. Since childhood, he has attended many different bands, plays the piano, guitar, and flute. He is interested in history, philosophy, psychology, and other disciplines.

‘Only those who go into battle every day for them are worthy of life and freedom.’

Kateryna is from Mykolaiv, after the start of the full-scale invasion in Ukraine (2022), she and her parents moved to Kyiv. She graduated from the gymnasium with an in-depth study of foreign languages, and for some time studied at a school abroad.

She is currently studying at NMU named after O. O. Bogomolets, specialty ‘Medicine’.

She was professionally involved in athletics, exactly high jump. She repeatedly took the first and the prize places at the championships of Ukraine and was included in the reserve lists of the National Team of Ukraine. In addition to sports, she is interested in art and painting. She actively participates in various volunteer programs. Became an activist in 2023, taking part in the Leadership Program 2023.

‘USF are clearly deeper and more than just a public organization. It is a place of strength, freedom, and unity. These are incredibly interesting young people who are eager for change. This is the territory of personal development, through acquaintances, participation in projects, and opportunities that open before you. I believe that our generation is the driving force of progress, because the UCC has convinced me of this more than once. The joint fight for personal, social, economic and political freedoms is more effective and interesting in a circle of like-minded people who support and inspire you.’

Diana has been an activist since 2023. She grew up in the Khmelnytskyi region, where she graduated from a music school and lyceum. There, she participated in many initiatives and events, collaborated with other students, and attended competitions, conferences, and contests. However, she is now in Kyiv, where she is pursuing her higher education at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, majoring in 281 Public Administration and Management, which involves creating a social contribution and future solutions to various societal problems and challenges.

‘The Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a place where everyone should be, because it is here that the young people who are really changing our country for the better flourish. These are all people whose values are important to the world. One of these values is freedom, and it is this value that generates a lot of thirst and energy for change. Freedom is about the choice that everyone makes, it is about inner calls, it is about life. And when you encounter this in your own life, you definitely want to stay there, because this is the home where you belong.’

Vladyslav is an activist of the USF. He grew up in the village of Chernihivka, Zaporizhzhia region. In 2019, he entered Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (Kharkiv), majoring in Law. Since 2023, he is also a master’s student at the Kyiv School of Economics. Joined USF after the 2023 Leadership Program.

‘I consider it necessary for each individual to provide opportunities for growth. As such, it can occur in several dimensions at the same time. This is what gives each of us the opportunity to influence global decision-making, create a dream society, influence those processes that seem to everyone “uncontrollable,” and achieve unattainable goals. For this, we should be open to any borders and boundaries. That is why I value freedom, and I am always happy to see how they fight for it. After all, it is worth it.’

Anna is a member of the USF. She grew up in the city of Zhmerynka, Vinnytsia region. At the end of 2018, she joined the debate club in her home city. It became the driving force behind her growth and development. In 2021, she studied software engineering at the Vinnytsia National Technical University. 2022 was a year of great development: her first job as a software developer, her first trips abroad alone, membership in public organizations, etc. In 2022, she found out about the USF and in 2023 she applied for the leadership program and was accepted. She met wonderful people and got motivated for new achievements there.

Silence and indifference are the greatest evils.

Anastasia is an activist of the USF. Born and raised in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. From 2022 she studies journalism at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. In 2023 she joined the USF, clearly realizing the importance of the idea of libertarianism. She is keen on literature about politics and culture, copywriting (in particular, in the media “OBIZNANI”) and professionally engages in photography. From school she was a member of the social-psychological theater and a member of the all-Ukrainian school “Agents of Changes”.

USF is about a powerful community, that creates a country in which everyone wants to live. Freedom is about each of us who believes in our voice’s importance and actions!

A young lady from the glorious city of Kherson, a graduate of the Kherson Scientific Lyceum, a lawyer currently studying in Kyiv, was a free student at Klaipeda University (Lithuania, Klaipeda city) for six months, where she listened to lectures and attended practical classes on economics and philosophy, a member of the League of Students Association of Lawyers of Ukraine, tries herself in teaching and public speaking.

She wants to devote her future to the post-war reconstruction of Kherson, teaching, communications, and a little bit of jurisprudence.

Abraham Lincoln once said: “The sheep and the wolf have different understandings of the word “freedom,” and this is the essence of the differences that prevail in human society.

Markiian is a USF activist who’s born and raised in Lviv where he currently studies “economic analysis and business statistics” at the Lviv university of Ivan Franko. He is really into economics, politics and history. He considers himself to be a libertarian ever since he was 16 and he was developing the ideas of liberty and freedom in himself ever since. Markiian joined the USF in 2022 when he understood that it was just the right organization for him, supporting the same ideas and ideals and full of like-minded individuals.

Freedom is above everything. Freedom is what our ancestors fought for, and what our sons and daughters will fight for. The fight for freedom is necessary and eternal. “He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them everyday by storm.” For my generation what happened on the independence square in 2014 changed our youth and i believe that USF will help me and others to improve ourself, to develop new ideas. To save the freedoms we have, and fight for the freedoms we want.

Vladyslav was born in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk, and lived there until 2014. He moved to Zaporizhzhia and now lives here. He began to engage in public activity in 2017. With his team During his school years, he was an active leader of student self-government in the city of Zaporizhia, a participant and organizer of the All-Ukrainian and international Model UN, and also held events dedicated to the comprehensive development of our country’s youth. Vladyslav is interested in entrepreneurship and has his own mosaic business. He is also successful in his studies. He became an USF activist in 2022 after attending the incredible Leadership Program. After that, he joined “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”. Now he is an activist of this incredible organization.

‘Those who deprive others of their freedom do not deserve it themselves.’

Alina – was born in Berdychiv, has been living in Lutsk since 2006.
In 2022, after the Leadership Program, she joined the USF NGO.

‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom is about living here and now and having strong faith in what you are doing. I am happy to be a part of USF.’

Pavlo was born and grew up in the city of Izmail, in the south of Odesa region. In 2020, he will enter the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, where he studies computer science. He got acquainted with the ideas of libertarianism at school, but rejected them, thinking that he was too young for it. But later, after learning about the USF and realizing that there are many people in Ukraine who share the values of freedom, he decided to join.

‘USF is an organization that helps young people develop as individuals regardless of their professional direction. This is a large community of students who appreciate freedom and strive to change Ukraine for the better.’

Denys was born and grew up in Khmelnytskyi, on the border of Volyn and Podillia, in the town of Polonne. He studied at the Polonskiy Gymnasium, specializing in English and humanities. during school time, Denys graduated from music and acting school. Denis was also interested in the history and popularization of this science from school age, so in 2019 he entered KNU named after Taras Shevchenko to the Faculty of History.

‘USF is an organization that gives faith in a happy, promising, bright future. USF unites people who become a real family in a very short period of time. USF is exactly the place where you can find yourself. The values of freedom are key in this organization, they are also important for me, and USF gives the opportunity to fight for its values, and what is important is not an independent fight, but a joint one, together with like-minded people. USF is an organization that gives faith in a happy, promising, bright future. USF unites people who become a real family in a very short period of time. USF is exactly the place where you can find yourself. The values of freedom are key in this organization, they are also important for me, and USF gives the opportunity to fight for its values, and what is important is not an independent fight, but a joint one, together with like-minded people.’

Rustamdzhon is an activist at USF. He was born and grew up in the city of Zaporizhzhia, actively joined the volunteer movement in 2014 after the events of the Revolution of Dignity. Finalist of the FLEX program and alumnus of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy.

‘Freedom is a choice and each of us is choosing to be a part of this organization here and now.’

Oleh is an activist in USF. He was born in Vyshgorod, town in the Kyiv region. Since 2020 he has studied in a Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, specialty “History and Archeology”. He is interested in libertarian ideas from the beginning of learning in the university, which guided him into the Program of Leadership 2022. Political science interested him more, than the humanitarian sphere, but “historical” experience helped to realize the context of modern realities better.

For me, freedom is the most valuable thing in life. This year’s events only strengthened my opinion. Genuinely free people are ready to defend this freedom in any way: whether at the front or rear. USF became me a magnet that attracts people with similar ideals. Therefore, I am sure that these people put the well-being of our state first.

Ihor is an activist of the USF, thanks to the LP – 2022. He has studied at the National Law University named after Yaroslav the Wise since 2019, majoring in Law. A native of the picturesque chemical industry center and the “Cradle of Donbas” – the city of Lysychansk. He is interested in budget, criminal law, political science, history, geography, and economics.

“A young person with brains should be here. The USF is where the liberal-democratic foundation of Ukrainian society is forged. Every member of the USF understands that he is part of the family, although it is a pity that there is no such thing as a civil family in the legislation.”

Sasha is a USF activist who joined the organization in the summer of 2022 after the Leadership Program at Medzhdybiz Castle. She graduated from one of the best schools of Kyiv, where she spent a year as the President of the student self-government. During her studies, she was engaged in active extracurricular activities – participated in the Children’s Parliament, volunteer projects from the Mysteckii Arsenal fund, won the Kyiv debating tournament, joined the work of EDUKIDS. She is currently studying business administration at a European university.

‘I did not expect that I would see exactly what I saw at the PL… Namely – an incredible community of active and conscious people, in whom you can find unlimited support and motivation! I wanted to participate because of the opportunity to learn something new, but who knew that I would find so many like-minded people here :)’

Since 2022, Oleksiy has been an activist of the USF. He was born and raised in Khmelnytskyi, graduated from school and entered the military lyceum in Kamianets-Podilskyi, after graduating from the lyceum he is studying in Kyiv from 2021 at the Vernadsky Tavry National University at the Faculty of Philosophy. I got acquainted with the ideas of libertarianism quite recently and almost immediately became a supporter of the USF. In 2022, he completed the “Freedom 101” course and took part in the “Leadership Program 2022” and became an activist of the USF. During the “Leadership Program 2022”, he received a large amount of strength, charge and motivation, which kept his performance at the maximum level for a long time. He also took part in the annual traditional USF campaign and conquered Mount Hoverla.

First of all, I am glad that I joined the ranks of the USF, because for me the USF is a community in which active young people are involved, who spread the ideas of freedom in Ukraine and from which an example should be taken. I really liked this atmosphere of active young people and simply wonderful people who will encourage, give advice and willingly help you in a difficult moment. Therefore, I believe that only active youth and ideas of freedom can build a truly free, independent and economically successful country. For this reason, I willingly support and spread the ideas of freedom to the world, so that as many people as possible understand the value and necessity of freedom and active youth in society

Victor was born and brought up in the city of Chervonohrad, which he calls the capital of the world. In school he volunteered on an array of diverse projects, was a member of a local youth centre, attended sessions and training camps held by EYP Ukraine.
After leaving school he went to Kyiv to search for himself. Now he studies teaching the English and Turkish languages.

Studentship is a cradle of changes of all times and peoples. I am happy to form the future of my country along with Ukrainian Students for Freedom. It is a powerful platform for self-development and achieving crucial for Ukraine goals. Our country has an immense potential of creative and indifferent people. I am sure that USF will be of great help in building of free society.

Anna is a USF activist. She was born in Nizhyn, where she lived for 17 years. She graduated from the historical-linguistic lyceum and the music school from the class of bandura and piano. At the age of 16, she organized her first own concert of lyrical music. In 2019, she entered the National University “Ostroh Academy” for political science and moved to another region of the country. She became an active leader of student self-government, a volunteer. In 2021-2022, she completed an internship at the school of political analysis “Polis”, the information and analytical center “Ostrog.Info”, participated in “Career Days” from the EU information center, cooperated with people’s deputy Denys Maslov, public organizations “Foundation of Regional Changes” and “Territory of Changes”. She is currently engaged in educational management, conducting political and sociological research. In addition, she studies the local politics of Chernihiv region, SMM-sphere, 4 foreign languages ​​(English, Polish, Italian, German), psychotherapy and works of art. In 2022, she took part in the Leadership Program and joined the USF 🙂

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of USF is an environment of the coolest people, fun, learning, growth, pleasant fatigue, love, courage, pride and of course FREEDOM. If you are here, you are lucky to be among the friendliest, most advanced, most conscious people who have the thirst to live, create, build a free society and a free state. The values of USF are my values. And so, USF is a part of my heart!

Darya was born in a small town in the Khmelnytskyi region but later moved to Khmelnytskyi, where she graduated from school. In 2018, Darya became a FLEX finalist, thanks to which she spent a whole year in the States, living with a real American family. In 2019, she entered the Institute of International Relations, majoring in International Law. She never saw herself as a lawyer, but she came to the conclusion that this choice would help her in the future. In the summer of 2022, she participated in short-term Erasmus+ programs, where she met many motivated people from all over the world. Darya decided to join USS in the summer of 2022. From that moment, she understood in which circle of people she found herself. The USF motivated her even more, to be an active participant in the state-building process of Ukraine, referring specifically to libertarian values.

“USF is about motivated young people whose eyes are burning and who never run out of ideas. This organisation unites people with different life stories but with one common value – freedom. People who know about the responsibility resting on them, but still fight for the future of their country without any fear.”

Maksym is from Kremenchuk, where he spent his childhood reading science fiction, technical articles and romanticized biographies of engineers, hackers and scientists. Building redstone mechanisms in Minecraft eventually led to competitive programming and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics at KNU. INTP, in an active search for ideas.

‘Nerds and fools speak the truth.’

Vitalii used to be fond of building & constructing something new from the childhood — a lot of time dedicated to solving puzzles & constructor. Vitalii also believes that it’s possible to build the new Ukraine. In 2021 he became a freshman at Kyiv Polytechnic University, major “Marketing”. In 2021-2022 study year Vitalii took a gap year and spent 10 months at Ukrainian Leadership Academy. After that he reentered Kyiv Mohyla Academy, major “Sociology”.

I consider freedom one of my key values. In times, when Ukraine faces existential threat, we should make extra efforts and, at last, WIN. Because what was started by us (Ukrainians) mustn’t have the end. So, free folks are creating the free country now. USF gives me this opportunity.

Iryna is an activist of the USS. She was born and lived in the city of Horodenka until the age of 17, where she graduated from the gymnasium. Then she moved to Lviv and entered the UCU , program “Ethics-Politics-Economics”. Now she goes to international programs, travels. She joined the USF in 2021.

“I fell extremely in love with this community, because I believe that the future of Ukraine is in the hands of active and free youth. For me, freedom is the highest value in the life of every person. This is the guideline according to which we should move if we strive to achieve social well-being .”

Liubenska Dariia, was born in the city of Cherkasy.
Graduated from Cherkasy Secondary School 1-3 grades 22 in 2021. Since 2021, he is studying at the Cherkasy State Technological University, majoring in “Political Philosophy”. Since school years, she has been interested in political processes in our country, has an active political and civic position.
He is interested in the political situation not only in the country, but also in his city. She completed an internship in a political party, where she gained valuable experience in the work of political organizations. USF was the first public organization to which she joined.

‘When the fire of freedom lights up in all the hearts of our country, we will all become free.’

Born in the Crimea, moved to Mykolaiv as a child, and settled there. From 2014-2018 he studied at the National University named after Sukhomlynskyi, majoring in applied mathematics. He was a sports activist at the university. He joined the libertarian movement in 2019, when he saw a lecture by Gennadiy Balashov. Learned about USF in 2021 at the “Fine City” festival in Ternopil. Currently, work as a video editor.

Libertarianism = Freedom.

An USF activist, philologist and a girl who strives for constant self-improvement and realization of her own ideas — that’s all about Halya. She graduated from school in Kyiv. Actually, she spent most of her 18-year-old life in the capital. In 2021, she entered Taras Shevchenko National University, where she studies French philology and translation. Halya was constantly attracted to unusual and interesting things, she participated in many cultural events, always found time for new acquaintances and hobbies. In 2021, she saw account of Ukrainian Students for Freedom on Instagram and immediately realized that it fascinated her. In 2022, Halya was selected for the USF Leadership Program and was incredibly pleased about it.

‘USF it’s about people. Becoming a part of this organization, you are inspired by the fact of existence something like that, a place where you can easily find a like-minded person. A powerful community that creates a foundation for people’s cooperation and provides excellent opportunities for development.’

Daria was born and grew up in Kyiv, where she graduated from the economic and law lyceum. She is currently getting a bachelor’s degree in «Tourism» at Kyiv National University of Taras Shevchenko. In the future, she dreams of making Ukraine one of the leading tourist destinations in the world and Kyiv the capital of Freedom.

‘Today, during a full-scale war, Yevhen Konovalets’ statement that «in the great world drama of our days, we have a choice: either to be creators or victims of history» is probably more relevant than ever. As it’s well known, «crying hasn’t given freedom to anyone», so I made a choice to create our free Ukrainian future and present and fight for it. USF are people who have also chosen this way for themselves and that’s why I am here.’

Anastasia is an USF activist. She grew up in the city of Khmilnyk in Podillya, where she graduated from school. In 2020, she entered the National Law University named after Yaroslav the Wise, majoring in Law. Joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2022. She is a member of the NGO “Public Diplomacy Platform” and implements projects in the NGO “Association of Sustainable Development Experts”.

‘USF is a big family with high values, big goals and grandiose ambitions. We act for the better future of Ukraine, we fight for justice and for the full realization of the concept of “freedom”. We fight – we win!’

Ivan is a USF activist. He grew up in the city of Rivne, where he graduated from high school. Since 2019, he has been studying at the National University “Ostroh Academy” in the field of “International Relations”. He joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2022 when he participated in the USF Leadership Program.

‘It’s all about the freedom to do what you think is right, and the people who have banded together on these ideas for the greater.’

Yurii is from Ivano-Frankivsk. He studied at the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian University Master of political science, postgraduate student. Received a second higher education at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (European Communication). Currently he works in the Ivano-Frankivsk City Council. Co-coordinator of the “Youth and Power” project in Ivano-Frankivsk. Participant and co-organizer of youth exchange projects under the Erasmus+ program. His hobbies include playing kinds of sport, tourism,hiking and pub quizzes.

‘USF is a wonderful platform that unites people with common values. Among which the highest is freedom – individual and collective. This is a community that allows young people with a similar vision of the development of our society to work qualitatively for the benefit of a free Ukraine.’

Kate is an activist of USF. She grew up and lives in the city of Truskavets. She graduated from a high school here. She dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood. So, in 2020, she entered the Danylo Halytskyi National Medical University, but at the Faculty of Pharmacy. After studying there for a year, she successfully passed the entrance exams exams, and entered her dream specialty – medicine. After the start of the full-scale invasion of Russia, she volunteered in her hometown, first setting up shelters for refugees, and then in a hospital, helping wounded soldiers in the intensive care unit. while studying at the university, he is actively interested in reforming medicine in Ukraine. She finished the course “How health care works”. She is a member of the Student Self-Government and is the head of the group.

It was with the beginning of Russia’s war with Ukraine that I understood what freedom is for Ukrainians and for Ukrainian youth in particular. I want to have the freedom to choose where to study and work, where to live. For me, Freedom is reasonable and fair laws that are implemented by members of society. It is to have the right to think and say what I think, even mistakenly. There are no bad thoughts, no bad tastes. There are different ones. Freedom is the ability to make decisions yourself and bear responsibility for them. USF is fighting for this. USF is youth, and youth is the driving force that is the future of our country.

Oleg was born and grew up in the village of Kolinkivtsi, where he played an important role in the life of student self-government. In 2018, he attended the “BUM” youth summit. Since 2019, he has been a student at the Yuriy Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University, where he is studying “Management of Organizations and Administration”. In the same year, he became a member of the Student Parliament of the Faculty of Economics. Joined the libertarian movement in the summer of the 2022 Leadership Program.

In my opinion, USF is one of the all-Ukrainian platforms consisting of enterprising young people who strive to promote the ideas of libertarianism. Positive emotions, the necessary experience, activities and reflection on various topics are also, in my opinion, USF. Therefore, all the talk that the USF is a family and a circle of like-minded people turned out to be the pure truth.

Anastasia was born in the Ukrainian Venice – in the city of Vilkovo. From the age of two she lived with her parents in a small village Matroska, where she finished school. In the ninth grade, she joined the organization SOUP (Self-Organized Learning Space), where, together with other participants, she wrote her first environmental project.
After school, she entered the Izmail State University of Humanities, specialty 081 Law, weighed all the pros and cons in the third year and decided to transfer to another university, it was the Mechnikov Odesa National University. She is studying in the fourth year.
In the summer of 2022, her first Leadership Program took place, which began Anastasia’s path with the USF.

In my opinion, freedom is the most valuable thing a person has, it is a need, it is a tool. As Dzhokhar Dudayev said, “Freedom is too expensive to try to achieve it cheaply. It is better to die than to be unfree”.

Taras is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He comes from the city of Rivne, where he graduated from the Economic and Legal Lyceum. During his studies at the lyceum, he became interested in economics and politics. These interests resulted in the fact that in 2019 he entered the National University “Ostroh Academy” to major in “Political Science”. In his second year of studies, he joined the information center of the European Union, where he organized EU Career Days. In 2021, on the basis of the All-Ukrainian Initiative “Active Community” held an educational event “How does the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine influence the everyday life of a Ukrainian?”. At the beginning of 2022, he participated in the British Council’s Active Citizens program and completed an internship at the Rivne City Council. After the start of a full-scale war, he joined the cyber army. In August 2022, he joined the Ukrainian Students for Freedom, when he passed the selection process and entered the Leadership Program.

For me, the combination of the ideas of economics, political science and philosophy is a continuation of my life. I am convinced that the future of our world, and especially of our successful post-war Ukraine, is based on the ideas of freedom and libertarianism. And the USF is a team that reflects these ideas as much as possible, it is a team of powerful and free like-minded people who have already become, are becoming or will become in the future a driver of change.

Ivanna comes from Rivne region. She first studied humanities in depth Aat the gymnasium, , and then switched to natural sciences, which helped her enter the medical university of TNMU. She is currently a 5th year student. She has known about the organization for a long time, but joined it in August 2022.

“USF is about people, about free, strong, able to create changes”

Sophia was born and raised in Lviv. In 2022, she graduated from the University in Warsaw, majoring in visual communication design. In 2021 studied art at the ENSA Dijon as part of the Erasmus program. She is interested in deepening her knowledge of Ukrainian art and design to create durable and responsible design projects for the Ukrainian market. In 2022, she joined the USF because she felt it was the right step to make on a road to liberty.

“It will sound cliché, but the USF is about a community of people with similar views and values, about people who do care. Actually, such an organization allows you to act and be sure that you have a needed support in the faces of other activists.”

Darka is a USF activist. She was born and raised in the city of Zhytomyr, where she graduated from the specialized lyceum, faculty of linguistics, in 2020. Since 2020, she has been a student of Zhytomyr State University “Zhytomyr Polytechnic” majoring in “Management”. At the same time, she is a student of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. She joined USF in 2022 after the Leadership Program.

‘Freedom is the greatest value for every person. It is a vital need for every Ukrainian. At least once in our lives, each of us has heard something like “you are a lost generation.” Such organizations as USF gather around themselves people who do not agree with these words and are ready to prove the opposite every day. We, those who know the price of Freedom not in words, are the hope of Ukraine’s future. Once a sage was asked: “how long to wait for changes? if you wait, it will be a long time,” he answered. The USF community is not just waiting for change, we are the driving force behind change.’

Oleh is an activist of the USF. He grew up in Ternopil. He studied there and graduated from school. He studies at the Ternopil National Technical University named after I. Puluya in the field of “Finance, banking and insurance”. In 2018-2019, he studied at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. Joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2022 after entering the Leadership Program in Medzhibozh.

‘Our generation sees with its own eyes that freedom is ideas worth fighting for, ideas that are being fought for right now. It is difficult to fight alone, and USF united students in a common idea, a common goal, so that every step of ours leads us on the right path. It is the union that makes us stronger. And I am sure that with these people we will bring many changes – first of all in our own lives.’

Serhiy is an activist of the USF. He grew up in the city of Poltava. Since 2020, he has been a student of the Faculty of Justice of the National Law University named after Yaroslav the Wise in Kharkiv, majoring in Law. Since childhood, he has been interested in the phenomenon of man and human nature, collecting information from all sciences related to these concepts. He came to USF as a participant in the 2022 Leadership Program.

‘USF is a beautifully constructed small society of beautiful people, who, thanks to their motives, implement a wide variety of great things, which in their first principles carry the ideals of a free and prosperous Ukraine. It is a great happiness for me to be a part of such a community and contribute to its development, thereby providing for my own.’

Anastasiia is from Rozdilna, Odesa Region. She was born and finished school there. In 2019, she entered the Leonid Yuzkov Khmelnytskyi University of Management and Law, majoring in International Law, which is extremely relevant today. From 2021, she is an expert at the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance. In the summer of 2022, Anastasiia joined the ranks of Ukrainian Students for Freedom, becoming an activist. She is passionate about reading and choreography.

For me, Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a case of a unique combination of diversity and unity. No matter how different we may be, but the key for us is the desire for Freedom and the understanding that Freedom is the most valuable thing a person can have. Everything else depends on it to a great extent. And also, here is a combination of wonderful people, and everyone is ready to share their experience with others.

Yevhen is USF activist. He was born in Kyiv and lived here for his whole life, but his family is partly from Crimea (father was born there). From middle school, he has been interested in international relations and international politics. As a result – now Yevhen studies international relations in Kyiv-Mohyla academy. He was a participant and organizer of numerous MUN conferences and debate tournaments.

‘Ukrainian Students for Freedom are based.’

Oles have graduated from the best faculty of the best university of Ukraine. For those who don’t know what we are talking about, it is the Faculty of History of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. As a result, a specially trained and authorized person gave him a diploma (and even two) in a red cover, as evidence that this piece of paper is with honors. After that, such things never been given, so Oles is the owner of a limited edition of the best diploma, of the best faculty, of the best university. Oles is currently completing his first year of PhD studies at the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. During the period of his creative activity, Oles managed to reach adulthood and even forget about it, as well as to get a master’s degree in law at the Leonid Yuzkov Khmelnytskiy University of Management and Law (how it happened is still unknown).

Oles got into USF by a simple coincidence. The reason is that the Leadership Program was held not far from his home. Oles do not regret that he was a part of this event, and joined to the USF. According to him, where else but here you can realize the truth that freedom is the ability to own your time. Because at the Leadership Program this thesis determines whether you will take a warm shower in the morning.

Stepan is a student of Yuriy Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic National University, his major is Computer Science. He was born and raised in Poltava, after finishing school he decided to enter the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics. He studied there only for two years and then he returned to Poltava because of his personal reasons. At school, he took part in history competitions and became a member of the Junior Academy of Science of Ukraine. After the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he became a volunteer of the Poltava Regional Charitable Foundation “Public Health”. This summer, he took part in the Leadership Program and became a part of USF.

‘For me, USF is a team of truly free and inspiring people. Young people, who were born in independent Ukraine. They are motivated to create, to implement their ambitions, to change our country for the better right now.’

This is Yana, she is 19 years old and is studying Ukrainian philology at NaUKMA. Born and raised in Rivne. Currently, she is an activist of the USF. After the first course, she took a break from her studies and entered ULA. Therefore, for the last 5 months before the start of a full-scale war, she lived and studied in Mariupol. She danced for 11 years and graduated from the school of modern choreography in her hometown. It is also important for her to be useful and help society, that is why she was a volunteer of BUR, Brave to Rebuild and other volunteer projects.

Ukraine is a haven of freedom. And our task is to make it not the distant future, but the realities of today.

Maria is an activist of the USS. She was born, studied and grew up until the age of 10 in the village of Novopavlivka in the city of Krasnyi Luch (now Khrustalnyi), where she gave bribes to all those who stereotypically encroached on her rights and prepared to enter Kharkiv. Outside of school in Kharkiv, she was engaged in geology and local history for 7 years, there she was imbued with respect for the country and Kharkiv, and their little-known depths. In the 10th grade, Maria read Ayn Rand’s The Source and began studying Objectivism. Entered in 2015 at KhNU named after V.N. Karazina started volunteering at OHCHR out of curiosity, and was there for the first event in October 2015. Then there were training and volunteer events out of curiosity. While sitting in the bomb shelters, Maria thought about why all her attention was only on herself, libertarian issues or volunteering without deep questions about modern activity and its intersection with utopia, and in the summer of 2022 she applied for PL-2022. What path will she take next? Let’s see.

‘USF is people. And the gathering of these people, like the stars in the sky, shines very brightly. Because that is the radiance of will. Freedom is not only about doing whatever you want. This is an understanding of the essence of each step. The ability to burn for one’s own purpose and pass the flame like a baton until the imaginary picture is pressed into physical reality. Now my fire is your fire.’

Anton is a USF activist, grew up in the picturesque town of Yarmolyntsi in the Khmelnytskyi region, where he graduated from school. Since 2020, Anton has been studying at the Khmelnytskyi National University, majoring in Computer Science. He has always been interested in programming and self-development, since 2016 he became interested in politics, economics, military affairs, namely operational art, the person who first showed him the ideas of libertarianism and a free society became a history teacher who taught the beginnings of politics and economics using historical examples. Since 2019, Anton has been engaged in educational activities in his town, breaking the stereotypes of his friends and acquaintances about capitalism and libertarianism. In 2022, he learned about USF from his friend – Roman Grabkov, after which he passed the selection and became a participant in the leadership program.

For me, USF is more than an organization, it is a community of people, free people who are united by the spirit of freedom, each person here is unique, ambitious, free and ready to fight for freedom. These people are the foundation of positive changes in our country. They are engaged in important things, namely actively creating cool projects and building a free civil society of Ukraine. After learning about USF and having completed the leadership program, I am very happy to be a part of this movement and share these ideas and values.

Lesia graduated from lyceum “Polit”, she is a big boss in the volunteer project and the master of acquiring new skills in short time.

This organisation provides an opportunity to express yourself, find like-minded people and defend what we believe in. And we believe in people and their ability to change. That’s why I’m here.

Daniil was born in a large Ukrainian city – Donetsk, and lived there until 2014. Then he moved to Zaporizhzhia, where he still lives. He began to engage in public activity in 2017. With his team, he organized Model UN and events dedicated to the comprehensive development of our country’s youth.

Daniil is interested in psychology, and entrepreneurship. He learned about libertarianism in the summer of 2022. Passed the Leadership Program and joined “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”. Now he is an activist of this incredible organization.

“USF is networking with exceptionally educated and intelligent people who literally live in the same breath as you. As soon as you become a part of this community, you feel a strange feeling that you and the interlocutor have a unique understanding that can only be felt with close people. USF is about freedom, its people, its young strong leaders who need our state, who are united by a common idea I believe that together, as a whole, we will be able to develop our country and change it for the better.

She was born and grew up in the picturesque village of Kozatske, Odesa region. In 2020, she graduated from the lyceum in the city of Bilgorod-Dnistrovskyi, after that she entered the National University “Odesa Law Academy” to major in law. She became an activist of the USF after the Leadership Program in 2022.

Freedom is a difficult and deep concept, for many it is undefined, USF – helps to understand freedom, and then to act – to fight for your freedom and the freedom of your country. This is a family united by one goal – the creation of a free society of prosperous Ukraine.

Helen is an activist of the USF. She comes from the small village of Kozatske in Odesa. In 2020, after graduating from the eleventh grade, Helen entered the Faculty of Journalism, the State University of Intellectual Technologies and Communications in the city of Odesa. In the summer of 2022, she joined the Odesa branch of the USF after completing the Leadership Program.

“Freedom is the highest value. Each of us must popularize the idea of ​​freedom, fight for it and protect it. USF is inspiration, it is opportunities, it is a bunch of like-minded people who support and value you, USF is motivation and a fight for a bright future. USF – this is freedom.

Tata or Tanya – a young activist in the USF. She grew up in the city of Lutsk, and graduated from school there. In 2021, she entered Lviv Polytechnic National University, majoring in Tourism. Before the quarantine, she was actively engaged in public activities, and was a member of the youth public organization “FRI”. Now the girl is actively engaged in photography and developing of her own social networks, and also creates traditional Ukrainian jewelry from beads.

USF is about the freedom of your flight, your opportunities, and your belief in a better free life.

Taras is an activist of the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He grew up in the Ternopil region, where, after graduating from school, he entered the Faculty of History of the Ternopil National Pedagogical University in 2019., where he acquires knowledge in the field of historian-archaeologist. He is actively engaged in researching the archaeological heritage of Ukraine. In 2022, as a volunteer, he took part in the expedition of the Institute of Archeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which investigated an archaeological site in the Chernivtsi region. Public organizations, according to Taras, are the key to the development of democracy, so he decided to try the Leadership Program 2022 from the Ukrainian Students for Freedom, as a result of which he joined an organization close to his values.

‘USF is a community of active young people who strive to change Ukraine for the better. It is an honor to be part of such a community. The foundations on which the organization stands are common to all developed countries, which are considered exemplary for us. Thanks to this community, Ukraine will become a model for others in the future.’

Alina was born in Dnipro and liked to spend time at the computer, and eventually this clearly defined her future job as a programmer. After 5 years of living in Lviv, she enrolled in Kyiv Polytechnic Institute with the best faculty (starts with I, ends with ASA), and that is one of her biggest successes. However, she wasn’t enough, so now she is moving to Japan and is going to continue developing her programming skills and hopes she will be able to use them in big and important projects.

USF is about people, who believe in themselves, in others, and in the future, which they can create. USF doesn’t only encourage people to fight together for liberty, but it also unites regions, and people from very different parts of our country in one big powerful energy, which rules the world. However, inside this energy is cozy and comfortable, kind and sincere. People, being united, don’t only fight back to the system, but also form one big family.

A comprehensively developed personality. A person who tries himself in everything and is looking for himself. Sofia was born and grew up in the wonderful city of Ivano-Frankivsk. She is currently a first-year student at the Frank University of Lviv, majoring in “Local Studies (International Relations)”. Since 2016, she has been a volunteer of the international organization “Maltese Aid Service”, where she especially helped orphans, people with disabilities, and cancer patients. In addition, she graduated from a music school with piano, thanks to which she instilled a love for art. An amateur of great tennis. Since 2022, she became an activist of the libertarian organization “Ukrainian Students for Freedom”, where she met incredible people and developed various skills.

‘This is an incredible place that brought together young people full of enthusiasm and full of thirst for the development of themselves and society in general. This is a huge job: to make such useful and large-scale contributions to the prosperity of our young generation. I would never have believed that completely different people could become a family in such a short time)’.

Vlada is an activist of the UKRAINIAN STUDENTS FOR FREEDOM.
She grew up in Kherson, where she graduated from the lyceum.
In 2019-2020, she volunteered at the NGO “Kherson Voluntary Club”.
Since 2020, he has been studying at the Zaporizhia National University, majoring in Journalism.
From 2020-2021, she was the head of the social direction of the student council of the Faculty of Journalism. In 2021, she became a member of the ZNU Student Council, where she was responsible for the external communications of the university, and in 2022 she received the position of the head of the household department of the ZNU.
On behalf of the Student Council of the ZNU, she participated in the campaign to vote for the project at the public budget competition “For the sixth. A place for recreation”, the purpose of which was to arrange a bgalo device behind the sixth building of the ZNU.
Organized lectures for students with psychologists and activists of the LGBT community.
She was a volunteer at the Ziff 2021 film festival.
Before the full-scale war, she worked for a month as a journalist in the “gorozhanin.info” editorial office.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, she actively volunteered in the humanitarian headquarterson the basis of the NGO “SVOI” and ZOCM. Wrote news on the website of the NGO “SVOI”. Vela kept records of hygiene and clothing humanitarians.
In the spring of 2022, a mural was created on the sports building of the university in cooperation with the Zaporizhzhya BUR.
She volunteered in the summer of 2022: at the UNICEF project – “Together. Meeting points”, at the camp for children of internally displaced persons – “Restart”, at the BUR camp. She created the project “ZNU Volunteering” on the “ZNU TV” channel on YouTube where they filmed stories about ZNU students who volunteer in various headquarters of Zaporizhzhia.
At the end of the summer of 2022, at the leadership program, she became an activist of the USF.

‘Your fire is my fire’ (Semen Oblomei).

Sophie was born in Poltava, where she grew up and graduated from school. Later, she moved to Kharkiv, as soon as she became a student of the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University and started studying Law. There, in Kharkiv, life began to change itself. Values, thoughts and ideals began to reform and led her to the fact that in 2022 she became an activist of Ukrainian Students for Freedom. She has just begun her path to freedom, but her thirst for freedom drives her to develop in the right direction.

Freedom has always been something sacred for me, something that I must always defend and protect. So when I learned about USF from my closest friend, I immediately understood what I should be moving towards and where I should be. USF is not just people who profess the same ideas, it is something more – it is a family in which you are accepted by amazing people, it is friends who will help you at any second, it is a path that opens for you, as soon as you became an activist. USF is a new breath, a new generation of Ukraine, it is the future. I believe that each of us, who are interested in the development of society in a positive direction, will achieve their goals together with the great team of USF

This is Mark. He is an activist of the USF. Born and raised in Kremenchuk. In 2020, he first got acquainted with USF in 2020, where he joined the team of the Kremenchuk branch. In 2021, he entered the Ukrainian Catholic University for law. He had a dream to change Ukraine for the better and to get a quality education in Ukraine. He even claimed that he wanted to be the President of Ukraine. He also considers himself a centrist in terms of political views. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he has actively volunteered at the Humanitarian Headquarters of the UCU. Became an activist of the USS as early as 2022 in Medzhibozh.

Freedom is an integral part of Ukrainian society. USF actively spreads this idea, and is one of the largest political education organization. I believe that the USF is an excellent community for the implementation of your projects, which will be able to increase the political culture in our state.

Oleksandr is an activist of USF. Was born and grew up in Zaporizhzhia. From the very young age was interested in music, so that was the reason of getting a music degree as a fortepiano player and academic, choral and variety singer. At school, he held the title of the President of the gymnasium student council. Since 2020 he have been a cadet of Kharkiv State University of Internal Affairs. In 2021 became a head of university cadet-student self-government. Since 2022 have been the member of the commission on culture development and a deputy of the Youth Council.

When I first joined the USF team, I was amazed by the number of like-minded people in the team, where everyone, through the prism of their personality, want to give this world a piece of themselves. It is incredibly motivating to work, and besides, it gives the necessary feeling of a laid-back atmosphere. There is no such thing almost anywhere – total strangers will always come to help and support. This is the uniqueness of USF — in a team.

Oleksandr is an activist of the USS. He grew up in the city of Chernivtsi, where he graduated from school. After that, he entered Kyiv, at Vadym Hetman KNEU University, where he is a 2nd year student.

‘USS is the future’.

Denis is a participant of the USF. He was born in Alchevsk, Lugansk region. Since his childhood he have been fond of mathematics and computers. He entered the best technical university of Ukraine on a specialty of computer sciences in 2021, and next year he passed to Kyoto University on a program of exchange.

‘For me, freedom is the highest value in life, because without it there is no sense in everything else. God created a man and gave him a huge gift and curse – the ability to make a choice. This is freedom. I want to protect it all over the world, and the most – in my native country. Finally, there is an organization that shares these values.’

Shall we meet?

This is Nastya, Nastyushka, Nastunya or Anastasia, it all depends on the context).
Now she is 20, and they are, as if not to lie, full of active life, saturated, and interesting. All conscious life, she remembers herself, constantly learns and searches for herself. But now university, work and relationships are helping with that (yes, yes, her time has finally come). She was born in a small village in Khmelchyn, where she graduated from school, attended all possible clubs and graduated from a music school. Later, university admission and if you are interested, it is a technical specialty in the food industry. The fourth year is pounding this rock to wear the title of bachelor (engineer-technological food industry). Therefore, if you have any questions while buying products in the store, you are guaranteed consultations with her. He is engaged in science at the university, everything possible at work, is interested in politics, business, the development of a personal brand and lives by the principle: “For everything good, against everything bad” – period.

Everyone has one’s own path.

Rena comes from Lysychansk. Her life is connected with music, she is a pianist. After finishing the 9th grade of the general education and music school, she studied at the Severodonetsk College of Culture and Arts. Now she is a student of the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Music named after R. Gliera, studying his majesty jazz! Rena is also engaged in animal protection activities. She joined USS in 2022, where she found motivation for comprehensive development.

‘The people who are the USS are a real example of striving for positive changes, development and achieving true independence!’

Tymofii is a member of the USS. Born in 2002, grew up and graduated from school in 2019. During this period, he was engaged in school and public activism. Since 2019, he has been studying at ONEU. He joined USS in 2022 after passing the selection for the PL. Engaged in student self-government and volunteering.

Taking responsibility for yourself is incredibly difficult. Taking responsibility for nation in difficult times is true madness. By passing the miles of development in small steps, the USS carries the ideas of freedom and love for its own people.

Bozhena was born in Kherson, but she lived almost all of her life in small Nikopol, where she realized how important freedom was to her. Kyiv became the space for this person, where she moved to study in 2019. The decision to choose English philology seemed to her the best, because it gave her time to understand and find herself and at the same time learn the language at a sufficiently good level. I took an active part in the first year of study at the university, literally enjoyed the first events. I first found my community in 2021, when I moved to Vilnyy, it was he who gave me the impetus for an active social life. And so, when I saw recruitment for the Leadership Program in 2022, I couldn’t pass by and was pleasantly surprised by the concentration of cool people and information.

‘USF is something you have to try, even the circumstances will tell you that.’

Anastasiia is an Activist at the USF. She was born and grew up in the city of Zaporizhzhia. From 2017 to 2020, she studied at the college, majoring in Publishing and Printing. Since 2019, she has been a member of the Charitable Foundation and held the position of graphic designer. In 2020, she participated in projects aimed at combating gender-based violence, as a graphic designer, animator and screenwriter. In 2021, she became a co-founder of the volunteer movement in the city of Zaporizhzhia, engaged in project management.

‘Freedom is given to us from birth, but to be truly independent, you need to make an effort. People in this organization know the taste and price of freedom. And the most important thing is that they are ready to help you feel it too. The path to mental freedom and physical independence can lie through many steps, failures and difficulties. But I’d rather regret what I did than what I couldn’t do when I had the chance.’

Mykhailo is a USF activist. He was born and grew up in the city of Zaporizhzhia, where he graduated from school. In 2021, he entered the Vadym Hetman Kyiv National University of Economics (KNEU) majoring in Economic Analytics. From the end of 2021 until February 24, the selection for the Leadership Academy took place, but due to the beginning of a full-scale invasion, he left this idea. Joined the libertarians in the summer of 2022, accidentally hearing about the USF from a friend. From the same year, he became an activist of the USF and a member of the Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia branches.

‘For me personally, Freedom is the most important component of a human’s life. And the struggle for it is a priority. USF is a space for young people who understand this! This is the place of your emotional and mental refreshment, When you are there, you understand that our country has a future, you understand that you are not alone.’

Maksym is an USF activist. Grew up in Zhytomyr. From 2019 to 2020 studied at KNEU, since 2021 is a student of NaUKMA.

‘I am a Ukrainian, a student, for freedom. Actually, I’m here.’

Anastasiia was born in Kovel, Volyn region. In 2020 she became a History student of National University ‘Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’. In 2022 she participated in Leadership Programme and became a member of USF.

USF gives an opportunity to take a deep breath because understanding that your values are totally felt through and shared cannot be compared to any other organization in Ukraine

Anastasia is an activist born in Kyiv. She grew up there and now she keeps studying and working in the capital of Ukraine. Anastasia has been studying international relations since 2020 in Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She gains some new expectations through the educational and human-rights activism in NGOs.

‘Freedom is a responsibility. I’m glad to be in the society, where everyone understands what is responsibility, so that freedom.’

Olya is the activist of Ukrainian Students for Liberty. She’s from Lviv, where she’s decided to study. She’s studying Psychology in Ukrainian Catholic University. Olya belongs to several student organizations within the University, she’s studying at. It’s “Hutirka”, whose members organize events with interesting people for the community and “Poradnia”, which organizes free psychological aid for people in need. Obviously, Olya doesn’t consult people in “Poradnya” as she respects Ethics Code, but she’s very in favor in promoting the Centre.
She joined libertarian movement very accidentally, coming across the account of USF in the Instagram. Then, she joined Leadership Program 2022.

Ukrainian Students for Liberty is about people and the future of our Ukraine, as it is liberty and freedom we’re talking about. Freedom is that value thanks to which we’re here and it’s that value that we’ll have to fight for. Fighting for freedom and for Ukraine is very logically with Ukrainian Students for Liberty.

Nastia was brought up in a small town Zbarazh of Ternopil region. In 2020 she started studying Law at Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University. She joined libertarian movement in 2022 after completing the Leadership Program. She is interested in economics, political science and sociology.

‘USF is community of young progressive people, inspired and ready to change our society. USF connects like-minded people with readiness to continue building up Ukraine. A lot of topics can be discussed with members of this community for a long time : from make up trends to tax reforms!’

Yaroslav is a sophomore at New York University. He is double-majoring in Computer Science and Business. He grew up in a town called Bucha, Kyiv region. After graduating from high school, he entered Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. After his freshman year, he took a leave of absence to complete a 10-month formational program from Ukrainian Leadership Academy. During the rigorous studies there, he simultaneously was preparing for SAT. After completing New York University’s Candidate Weekend in Abu Dhabi, got an admission offer with a scholarship of $320 000. It covered not only tuition, but also dorm expenses, meals, stipend, flights back home and health insurance. Also Yaroslav is an author of the YouTube channel “The Pursuit” with 233 000 subscribers. In his videos, he shares his life lessons, methods on discipline and efficiency, as well as inspiring people to change their lives for the better.

‘USF for me is about change. Change in the mind of young people, change in the educational process of Ukrainian universities. It is about practical actions, events that aim to raise awareness about a certain topic or help others grow. It is about great community where you are valued and equal, but where you also grow, both as a person and an effective leader.’

Tamara is a student at West Ukrainian National University, where she study journalism. Also, she’s a student at Tavrida National University at the Philology faculty (Hebrew language). She loves the East culture since her childhood, so Tamara is also studying Japanese and is a member of a Korean cover dance team. But, of course, there is nothing that can exceed her love for Ukraine, that’s how she joined USF in 2022 after completing the “Leadership Program”. Tamara is a part of the Ternopil center, she’s actively participating in different international programs where she represents Ukraine and spreads people’s awareness of our country

“In the end, all our hearts United into one We will be together until the end When the day comes” – these words stayed in my mind for a long time after finishing the Leadership Program, because they so pithily describe USF. It’s about freedom, about people, about fighting for a free country. A big family, which will stand up for everyone»

Artem is an activist of USF. He grew up in small village, Liman, where he finished school. In 2021 he began studying in Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv on “Country studies” specialization. In December 2021 he took part in “Anticorruption debates 2021”, which were organized with help of USAID. He joined libertarian movement in summer 2022, when he got on “Leadership program 2022”.

‘For me, freedom isn’t something ephemeral. It’s a complex of practical ideals which make society thrive. Because of this, USF as an organization that develops knowledge about freedom is so important for Ukraine’s future. USF makes an accent on young people because usually youth is ready for changes and moves progress forward. Good example of this is Euromaidan when students were first to go out and fight for our freedom and a European future for our country and elder people followed them in their ambitions.’

Vlad is a USF activist. Born and raised in the pearl of southern Ukraine, Odesa. He is currently studying “Economics” at the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”. He adores the economy, although he has not yet achieved much in it; engages in debates; loves to play chess. Joined USF in 2022.

“USF is about an active, caring community and, of course, about the idea of freedom, if you like at least one of the two, you’ll definitely find a place for yourself here.”

Olga is a USF activist. She grew up in Kherson, where she graduated from a specialized school with in-depth study of foreign languages. In 2021, she entered to Kherson State University. In the summer of 2022, she saw an offer to go to Medzhibyzh in the Telegram channel of the university group. Before that, she had not heard anything about USF. She hesitated, but decided to fill out the form and was able to pass the selection. Became a USF activist at 2022. Now she is currently studying at the University of Klagenfurt by the Joint-Study program. Specialty is Anglistik und Amerikanistik. Actively studies English and German.

‘My fire is your fire (Semen Oblomei)’

She was born in the small village of Zamishchyna, Dubensky district, Rivne region, where she finished 9th grade. In 2017-2021, she was a student of the Dubensky College of Culture and Arts of the RSHU, studying “Fine Art, Decorative Art, Restoration”. Participated in volunteering and various college activities. After that, she entered the Kharkiv Academy of Design and Arts. In the summer of 2022, she got into the Leadership Program from the USF, where she got to know the libertarian movement.

‘I sincerely believe in the indomitable strength of the Ukrainian students, which withstood the Revolution on Granite, the Revolution of Dignity and is defending the country during the full-scale invasion of Russia. We have known the taste of independence, we will build a free Ukraine. Because each of us is responsible for what kind of country our descendants will get.’

Dmytro is an activist in the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He grew up in Fastiv, Kyiv region, where he ended school. In 2021 this guy entered the Kyiv capital Borys’ Grinchenko university, to the faculty of “Law and international relationships” by the specialisation of “Regional studios”. At the end of summer 2021, he joined USF through the Program of leadership 2022. He doesn’t have some great achievements neither before society nor before USF yet. The only interesting about him is that he is interested in politics and did folk dance for three years.

‘In my short life, I only know about three things I love: freedom, Ukraine and books. I don’t see how the USF is doing with books, especially since I love fantasy cultivators, but there are two other things that the USF also loves, so basically because of that I’m here.’

Anastasia is an USF activist. She was born and raised in Kyiv. Since 2021, she is studying at DNU in the educational program “Historical Ukrainian Studies and Applied History”. The choice of a university so far from the native city was due to the absence of Ukrainian studies in other universities. In autumn of 2021, she took part in the organization and holding of discussion clubs on the Day of Dignity and Freedom in the territory of Dnipropetrovsk region. She joined USF in the summer of 2022.

‘For me, USF is an inspiration. Seeing all these people burning with their work and ideas, you feel a fire start burning inside you. There is an overwhelming desire to join, to burn together. And I could not resist this fire.’

Illya Koval is an activist of the USS. He was born and raised in the city of Mykolaiv, Mykolaiv region. After graduating from the Mykolaiv Gymnasium No. 3 in 2019, he entered the history faculty of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University for the educational program World Ukrainianism in the Progress of Civilization. Ilya is already in the 4th year of his bachelor’s degree. In the same year 2019, he joined the ranks of the NGO Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine, and in 2022 he became an activist for the Ukrainian Students for Freedom. He also takes an active part in the cultural work of his faculty: he played in the KVK and the Liga Smihu, participates in the Historical Debate League and as a volunteer helps the “Night at the University” project. Regularly he participates in scientific conferences.

‘Freedom is an idea for which people have died with honor throughout human history. This is our basic need and the main dream of generations of fighters against totalitarian regimes of the last two centuries. Because of such a great price of freedom for the individual, I consider freedom, first of all, a responsibility. Responsibility to ancestors, society and oneself. Since a free man cannot blame anyone but himself for his defeats, freedom gives him all the opportunities to achieve success, just as a free man is responsible to his society for the choice of power, and he has to prove to his ancestors with his free life that their struggle for free was not in vain. That’s why I’m proud of my freedom and ready to fight for it, that’s why I joined the USF – a community of fighters of free people who value freedom most of all.’

Yulia is an USF activist.
She was born in a small village near the city of Kryvyi Rih, but moved after entering Taras Schevchenko University of Kiev. She still studying here at specialty “Marketing”.
Since childhood, she was engaged in art and dance, took part in various contests and competitions.
She joined USF from the Leadership Program in 2022.

‘USF is about opportunities for young people. The opportunity to grow freely as a person. The opportunity to freely work, study, communicate, be inspired, sing the hymn and honor the memory. This is a place where the most active representatives from different regions gather, with different appearance, talents, religion… But with the common value of freedom.’

Maxim was born and raised in Zhytomyr. He gratuated physical-mathematical lyceum in 2019. He decided to drop out of university after studying applied mathematics at NAU for two years. Now he is studying physiotherapy and ergotherapy at Borys Grinchenko university. By the way, he is also highly interested in biomechanics and kinesiology. Max became an USF member in 2022 after accomplishing a leadership program.

What does USF mean to me? In my opinion, USF is a community of bald and self-consicious people whose core values are Ukraine and freedom. These people are not afraid of being responsible in tough situations. I feel like we have become a true family after such a short period of time. It’s an honour for me to be a part of USF.

Sofia is a USF activist. She grew up in the picturesque village of Novodanilivka in Mykolaivshyn. In 2020, she graduated from school and entered the university at the department of English translation. Versatile personality and open to new experiences. Since 2022, a USF activist.

“USF is about freedom, complete freedom. The organization is a device for achieving my goals of changing the state structure.”

Andrii was born and grew up in Kyiv. From 2020 to 2022 he studied Software Engineering at Applied College of Information Systems and Technologies of State Higher Educational Institution “KNEU named after Vadym Hetman”. For the first year of studying he found out about volunteering and became a member of NGO “Ukrainian Volunteer Service” as an Agent of Volunteering. For the second year he managed to become a student NGO “Ukrainian Leadership Academy”, studying in which will start in 2023 academic year. Andrii joined Ukrainian Students for Freedom in August 2022 by participating in “Leadership Program” – one of the USS projects

«I discovered Ukrainian Students for Freedom in 2021 and back then I thought that, probably, their “Leadership Program” is not for me, because freedom is something abstract. But before the 2022 “Leadership Program” I was convinced that freedom is the most important thing and is for everyone. After the “Leadership Program” I understood that freedom is the most important thing, but freedom must be earned»

Evgenia – she was born in the military town of Desna, where she graduated from the 11th grade of the gymnasium. In 2020, she entered the Sumy National University of Science and Technology, majoring in Law. At the end of the 1st year, she took part in the “Agropolitical Debate -2020”. At the university level, she became the best debater and went to the All-Ukrainian level, where the team took 3rd place. During the 1st year, she participated in the faculty’s activities, and at the end of the second year, she is still the student dean of the Faculty of Law. In the winter of 2021, she took part in the All-Ukrainian Forum “Youth Here”, after which she began to actively participate in the life of the city of Sumy.

USF has three priorities in its activities – to unite, educate and mobilize. At the center of these priorities are people. And this is exactly what I like about the organization, because people are the basis of anything and everywhere, and therefore USF is on the right track. And I want to be a part of it! The path to freedom is already being paved by these people, who are already taking my hand with a smile so that I can reach it together with them – Freedom.

He was born in a nice place, Kherson region.
I’ve been doing sports all my life, but sometimes I spend more time sleeping. I love to lie down with “crumbs” and watch cartoons)

«USF is a big and fun family.»

Alex is a USF activist. He grew up in Uzhhorod, where he graduated from school. From 2017 to 2021 he studied at the Uzhhorod National University in the field of “Geodesy and land management”, from 2021 he changed his specialty to International Business. He joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2021 at the USS Congress on the Kyiv Sea. In his early student years, in addition to studying, he traveled a lot and discovered how other nations live and tried it on himself, which developed an objective vision on the standard of living of many nations. Which inspired him to change something in his own country for the better.

 «The idea of ​​freedom is not just a concept, it is a lifestyle. Freedom is the most important value today and I like that USF sees and values ​​it no less than I do. USF is free youth and youth who strive for freedom. This organization understands how important it is to coordinate a fresh and progressive young brain for things that will rebuild this country for the better. There is an extremely large potential that cannot be missed.»

Sofiia was born and bred in Kyiv. For some time she used to be a professional athlete; she also has a title of Master of Sports of Ukraine in synchronized swimming (or artistic swimming). At the present time, she is a forth-year student at the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (NaUKMA) with a specialization in “International Relations, Social Communications and Regional Studies.” In addition, she`s doing her Bachelor’s degree in Management in sports activities at the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport. Sofiia is a member of the International Relations Club (IRC) at NaUKMA, which was founded by her aspiring group-mates. In the coming year, she will volunteer for the LevelUP project working in a non-governmental organization in Iași, Romania. She hopes that in the future she would be engaged in cultural diplomacy. Sofiia joined the USF after completing a leadership program in 2021.

«Long story short: fire holds no terror for this brood» (рядок із балади Шевченка “Гамалія”; переклад Дж. Віра)

Sonya who became a member of USF just by applying for the Leadership Program and only then she liked the people there and the whole idea of organization. She’s from the small but really beautiful and inspiring town, Zalishchyky. And if you had never heard about it just look at its pictures and enjoy it. She took a gap year after graduating from school and she thinks it was one of the best decisions she’d ever made. She studies Political Science in Ukrainian Catholic University, travels a lot, writes nice texts, runs almost every morning and sometimes goes to international programs.

«As already mentioned, I learned about the organization by accident – applying for the Leadership Program – and already there, getting to know the ideology and views of the members of the organization, I realized that they are close to me and that I want to be part of this community. I see great strength in the giant youth movement, which is based on the right (in my opinion) values, the participants of which are incredibly interesting and intelligent individuals. Therefore, I know that we will continue to create a country of free people, as we are doing it now.»

Vitalii. He lived in Zdolbuniv, near Rivne. Student of Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadim Hetman since 2019, Economic Cybernetics. In Zdolbuniv, the deputy chairman of the youth council. In Kyiv, the chairman of the social and cultural committee of student self-government of his own university. Likes to joke.

«USF [ukrainian: УСС] is not only Legion of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen [ukrainian: УСС too]. 🙂 It is a modern student movement that seeks to integrate the ideas of freedom into everyday life. They are united by the fact that they are ready to do everything for Ukraine, to make the maximum effort that they have.»‎

Julia was born and raised in Sambir, Lviv region. In 2020 she graduated from high school and entered the Ukrainian Catholic University, where she studies sociology. From school she took an active part in the life of the community of her city, she is a member of an organization that cultivates team work, leadership and moral qualities. In addition, Julia has been working (on a volunteer basis) with children for several years, organizing camps and helping with studying. In 2019 she participated in camps from Peace Corps, so she has experience working with American volunteers and organizing community projects. She is interested in politics, participated in the UN Model Student and the UN Model Summer School together with NaUKMA and MacEwan University in Canada. At the moment, there is a VP of Finance and Fundraising in the UCU MUN Club. She joined USF in 2021 after the Leadership Program.

 «After the Leadership Program, I realized that I had become a member of another incredibly cool family. Yes, USF is a family, which you can share absolutely everything with joy and sorrow, victories and failures, laughter and tears. Here you are accepted as you really are, you are listened to and heard regardless of someone’s own beliefs and opinions. USF is about freedom in all its dimensions. Also, Ukrainian Students for Freedom are people who really cares, people who not only talk about problems but clearly act to solve them. USF members are people who are committed to a common idea, values ​​and work in spite of everything. The educational part and purpose of the USF is very important, because it allows us to keep abreast of all current events and political processes in the world, and in Ukraine in particular. However, it is definitely me, you and we who move this community and our country.»

Katya studies to become an actor at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. She has been involved in orienteering since childhood. Katya loves the freedom she can feel in her hobbies. She wants to see more confident and free people in everyday life. Now she is an activist of the USF since Program of Leadership 2021.

«USF for Katya is impetus to do useful things with like-minded people, that know what they want and go to their aims confidently.»

Kateryna is an activist of the USF. She was born and raised in Severodonetsk. From 2019 to 2021 she studied at the National University of Pharmacy as a pharmacist-cosmetologist, but took a sabbatical. Now she is developing his own business. Tattoo master. She joined the libertarian movement in the summer of 2021

«I believe the USF will come to what everyone needs: a free society with a minimal role of the state in all processes.»

Lisa was born and raised in Kramatorsk. She is a second-year student at the Faculty of Economics of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She is studying International Economics. She loves math, drawing, screenwriting, dreams of an acting career, in her free time likes to make toys, play the ukulele and read books about Statistics and The Witcher. Lisa knows how to organize any event, and she will love to create decorations for it. Everyone close to her says that she is a sincere and empathetic girl.

«‎USF is an incredibly friendly team united by a common idea – to change Ukraine for the better. These are people with whom you can communicate with any of those. These are people you can contact with any request. USF is about sincerity, help, warm hugs and smart people. When I got here, I finally realized what I needed in life.»

Kyrylo is an USF activist. He grew up in Severodonetsk, where he graduated from school and is currently a fourth-year student at the Volodymyr Dahl East Ukranian National University, majoring in International Relations, Public Communications and Regional Studies. He was imbued with the ideas of libertarianism back in 2018, because according to him, these are the very ideas that reflect his inner convictions and attitude to the world. He joined USF when he went through selection for the Leadership Program in 2021

«Ukrainian Students for Freedom is one of the few organizations in Ukraine that promotes changes in society and the state for the better through the ideas of individual freedoms and minimal state intervention in all spheres of life. It is an organization that promotes the idea that the happiness of each individual is the most important value and that really implements these ideas. That’s why I’m with USF.»

Nazarii is a rational person with an optimistic outlook on life. He graduated from 179 gymnasium in Kyiv with a bunch of unnecessary diplomas and entered KPI to understand what ‘computer science’ is. At the same time, he studied journalism, where he received a diploma with honors, and his parents are very proud of this fact. Most of the conscious life is associated with the desire to travel and entrepreneurship. That’s why he regularly gets involved in dubious startups because the experience of failure is much better than its absence. As of 2021, he continues to study at KPI.

«Sooner or later, people begin to ask existential questions. What is the meaning of all this? What is my role? And no matter how tempting the idea of copying the answer from someone may seem, you have to look for the answer for yourself. When these questions came into my life through long reflection, I found the values that I now consider to be the benchmarks for myself: freedom and justice. Fortunately, I am not alone in these aspirations, I have found a circle of like-minded people who are ready to support and ready to act. That’s why I’m in USF.»

Bohdan is an activist of the USF. Born and ended school in Kyiv, where in 2021 he entered KNUTE, specialty of “International Economics”. In the period from 2018 to 2020 took an active part in organizing “Model United Nations” conferences in Kyiv. He learned about USF in 2020 from the “Stop Shkarlet” protests. After participating in the “Leadership Program 2021”, he joined the «Ukrainian Students for Freedom».

«Since childhood, I dreamed of changing life in Ukraine for the better. While I was growing up, I became interested in rhetoric, politics, economics, history, philosophy, and over time, my aspirations and ideas took shape. Freedom, as the highest value, the ideas of libertarianism and later the USF played a major role in shaping my worldview. I see the path that Ukraine must follow and in the USF I’ve found a community that shares my aspirations and ideals. Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a family of like-minded people. Our views may not coincide in everything, But we all dream of one thing – to change Ukraine for the better. And we will do it.

Anton is an activist of the USF. He was born and raised in the small town — Oleshky, near Kherson. He graduated from Oleshkivska gymnasium №1 in 2019. In the same year he entered the Kherson National Technical University, majoring in 121 ‘Software Engineering’. He is the head of the student rights protection sector in the student parliament and leads an active lifestyle at the university. He learned about USS through a friend and joined the libertarian movement in August 2021 at the Leadership Program in Kyiv.

«USF are people who inspire and push you to change in the country. People who know what can make Ukraine economically free from other states. These people know that everyone has their own rights and is a free person. It is in USF that there is an atmosphere of protection and love. Together with these people, I can change the country and do better. USS is a family I found and I don’t want to lose!!!»

Volodymyr is an activist, political scientist and just a good person. He grew up in Odessa, but it is not entirely clear where he was born. At the end of the ninth grade of school, he was faced with a choice: to develop spiritually, to carry the light of science into the darkness of ignorance, or to become useful to society. In 2018 he became an electrician. Then he changed his mind and in 2020 he entered the National University “Odesa Law Academy” in the direction of “Political Science”. Co-founder of the public organization Center for Political and Legal Studies.

«To me, freedom is not a suspicious abstraction from academic walls, but rather a practical principle for achieving happiness that rests on two pillars: tolerance and responsibility. The most successful societies are free societies, and they are not known for unity, but for diversity and tolerance of cultures and worldviews that are not destructive. And only in such a society does a person bear responsibility for his life, for the decisions he makes, he values the fruits of his labor and is responsible for the consequences of his actions for those around him. It was in the “Ukrainian Students for Freedom” that I found myself in full agreement with these beliefs. It was as if the “Ukrainian Students for Freedom” saying: «Do you like this future? Take it and do it! We’ll help you, just take it and do it!»»‎

Julia is a girl from the beautiful city of Ukraine, Cherkasy, where she lives, studies and works. Her specialty is a teacher of foreign languages, she’s fond of dance and art. Since 2021 she has been an activist of the USF.

«USF are people who want a better future. USF are the events that bring together Ukrainians and people from all over the world. This is an association that can change Ukraine for the better!»

She was born and raised in Lviv. She studies at the Lviv Polytechnic National University. She became a member of the «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» in 2021.

For me, «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» is about possibilities. Possibility to be in an environment of active like-minded people. Possibility to study together, to rest together, and to change ourselves and our country.

Kateryna studies at “History and archeology” faculty, Grinchenko Kyiv University. She had lived in Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Vinnytsia cities, but after that she moved to Kyiv.
Kateryna studied at Ukrainian Leadership Academy at 2019-20 years.
She is interested in the topic of education in Ukraine, educational activities for children and youth.

«I’m not sure if I fully felt what USF is in practice. At the same time, at the start I can say for sure about: values and commitment to ideas in all actions; love and inspiring atmosphere within the community.I feel sincerity in USF and actions “not for a tick”. And according to this, that actions have the impact on the output 🙂 Glad to join!»

Ksenia is a USF activist.
She was born and lives in Chernivtsi, where she has been studying at the Chernivtsi National University Professional College of Yuriy Fedkovych since 2020.
After the Leadership Program 2021 joined to the libertarian movement.

After entering college, she is actively involved in public activities. In addition to USS, she is a deputy of the Youth Council at the Chernivtsi Regional State Administration, she is delighted art and SMM.

«USF for her are people who are ready to change themselves and the world around them. These are gatherings of like-minded people who always turn and are ready to help at any moment. USF is a powerful team that strives to make our country better and free.»

Lidiia was born and raised in Kharkiv, where she now studies in V. N. Karazin University. Her major is history and archeology. Since February 2018 she started to volunteer as a member of the youth organization AIESEC. She graduated from the Mariupol branch of Ukrainian Leadership Academy in 2020. Lidiia joined «Ukrainian Students for Freedom» in August 2021 during Leadership Program.

«For me freedom is one of the core values. It’s something that in my opinion unites all Ukrainians. That’s why I’m glad to be with people who share my ideas and explore together the ideas of freedom.»

Vsevolod adheres to three basic rules:
1. Keep learning all the time. The world never stands still, so self-education allows me to keep up with the times.
2. Do it well. Perfectionism helps maintain quality. If you study, then for the maximum score. If you participate in a competition, then win. If you take on a project, then make it perfect.
3. Inspire others. Teamwork is one of the most effective working methods. Therefore, the ability to maintain a team spirit is important.

«Ukrainian Students for Freedom is a team of incredible people who pay special attention to educational projects for young people, acquaint young people with the works of prominent philosophers and the works of great economists. Everyone has a choice: does he want to be free. Freedom of mind is exactly what makes us truly free. You can be free physically, but the mind is more important. Education is an essential foundation of this freedom. That is why my like-minded people and I pay so much attention to educational projects.»

Bohdan was born and grew up in Vinnytsia. Later he moved to Kyiv to study at Taras Shevchenko National University, majoring in Economic Cybernetics. During his student years he became actively interested in economics and libertarianism. In 2021 he became an activist of the USF. Runner, mountain climber and train lover.

«As for me, liberty is a key value. It is impossible to imagine my life without it and I want to defend and fight for the opportunity to feel free. In USF I found those people who share my ideas and beliefs. Together, we can make our dreams come true!»

Iryna is an activist of the USS. She grew up in the city of Sumy. In 2019 she took part in the project “School of Leaders of Change” which was aimed at improving the city. In 2020, she attended her first protest and a few months later learned about the USS after the “Stop Scarlet” action where she participated with the Sumy branch. In 2021 she graduated from art school. Lysenko and received the award as the best student.

«”Ukraine will be free or uninhabited”, these words mean a lot to me and in order to spread and defend the ideas of freedom, I joined the USF. But if we move away from pathos, USF is a cool community, vibe people with unreal life stories. USF is something more than just an NGO about freedom, USF is a family.»

Daniella’s native town is Mukachevo. She was a volunteer in a local public organization and worked as a project manager. She loves photography and ski freestyle with everything in her. Daniella was a member of the national team of Ukraine from 2018 to 2020. After participation in Leadership Program 2021, she joined Ukrainian Students for Freedom.

«Freedom for me is not just 7 letters, but the most important value. I believe that it is what mostly makes people happy. Joining USF became a turning point in my worldview and perception of personal, economic, and political freedom. People here are in complete love. USF is family.»

Dmytro is an activist of the USF. He was born and raised in Uman, where he is studying in 11th grade. From an early age he was interested in geography and political science. Dmytro joined the USF 2021 and taking his first steps in political career.

«Freedom for me is ability to make decisions and be responsible for them. When I learned about USF, I realized that this organization was exactly what I was looking for. Libertarian youth formation, which promotes individualistic values ​​and provides prospects for development in political life of the country for the most talented and active students.»

Sofia has been an activist in the USF since 2021. She grew up in Zbarazh, Ternopil region, where she graduated. He is studying in the 2nd year of the bachelor’s degree of Ternopil National Pedagogical University named after Volodymyr Hnatyuk. Actively participates in the student life of the university.

«USF for me, it’s about free people. Free in terms of their rights to life and activity. We want and make the future where the young generation is the generation of change. People here are the main driver.»

Founder of Alter Ego — a mobile app, collection of mental models and philosophical therapeutic practices from the greatest historical thinkers. Harvard University Fellow. BA in Global Economic History at Ukrainian Catholic University.

«As a person who works at the intersection of academic research, technology, and entrepreneurship, I see the ideas of freedom as particularly applicable. I believe in the Ukrainian libertarian movement and assume it has a great potential for creating a unique startup ecosystem in Ukraine.»

Denys is an activist. He grew up in the city of four cultures — Berdychiv. From 2017 to 2020 he studied at the Zhytomyr College of Pharmacy after graduating it he entered the National University of Pharmacy in Kharkiv. Unfortunately after some time he realized that pharmacy is not his vocation therefore he decided to be transferred to distance learning. In that time Denys entered the UAL and found himself absolutely passionate about design. In 2021 Denys decides to join the USF.

«For me, USF is about struggle and change, not only external but also internal, about friends, community, hugs and self-building. USF is about freedom in all its senses. It is important to have a community that shares your values ​​and is ready to defend them. This organization has become one of the reasons why I am still not an immigrant to any of the Western European countries.»

Sofia is a USF activist. She grew up in Slavyansk, where she graduated from high school. She has been studying at NaUKMA in Economics since September 2020. She joined the libertarian movement in August 2021, when she joined the Leadership Program.

«I consider freedom to be the most important human value. That is why USF is suitable for people who are also not indifferent to personal, economic and any other freedom. Being part of USF means constantly finding like-minded people and generating new ideas that should make our world a better place.»

Serhii has been a mathematics teacher in the village of Didivshchyna, Kyiv Region, since September 2021. He teaches at the school for the program Teach for Ukraine. He was born in the Odesa region in the small village of Kozatske. Prior to his teaching career, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, worked as a developer in Odessa IT companies. A graduate of the Ukrainian Leadership Academy.

«Freedom is one of the greatest pleasures in this life. It is important to understand it, protect and not restrict others. It was in order to learn this even better that I joined the USF in 2021.»

Uliana is a USF activist and an active volunteer. She comes from Ivano-Frankivsk region. She is currently studying in Lviv. Actively participated in student government, danced. She graduated from art school and arts and crafts. From 2017-2021 is a student of LNU named after Ivan Franko.
Joined the libertarian movement after the “Leadership Program” in 2021.

«USF is an opportunity to show your public speaking skills, it is an acquaintance from all parts of Ukraine. It’s a huge community of like-minded people who want to live in a free state. It’s a huge family that will always support you, encourage you and inspire you to take action.»

Vitalii is a football player in the past, a doctor in the future. He was born in Konotop, smoked his first cigarette at the age of 3, after which he was probably vaccinated against them for life. From 10 y.o. he played in the football team at national and international tournaments abroad. At the age of 17 he entered the NMU.O.O. Bogomolets, where he studies now.

 «USF is about a young impulse directed in the right direction. USF is a place where you can not know anyone, but talk to everyone. USF is a place where you can feel at home.»

Teresa is a student, a new USF activist. She was born and lived most of her life in western Ukraine, city of Kosiv, Ivano-Frankivsk region. Since 2019 she is studying in Kyiv. She studies Eastern culture, Arabic and Judaism. In the summer of 2021, she has been taking part in the USF Leadership Program, where she decided to join the organization. She believes that there is no perfect political and economic system, but she respects libertarianism a lot and considers freedom as a basic human value.

 «USF is a community of young proactive people, who knows what they want from the government and from themselves. For me, it’s about a common vision, movement and community spirit. Work hard, play hard, join the USF:)»

Ilona was born and grew up in Kramators’k, Donets’ka oblast’. She has become a resident of the project theater laboratory, where was able to meet and learn from cultural figures of Ukraine. A member of multi-artistic association “DЄD”. She took part in the international project “The future of Europe”.
Ideas of liberty have always been crucial in her life and she found out about libertarianism thanks to Program of Leadership by USF, after which she has become a member of the organization.

«I firmly believe that freedom is one of the most important values ​​of humanity. Freedom to act, speak, choose. That is why the ideas of libertarianism turned out to be so close and understandable to me. Therefore, I‘ve been happy to find a community that unites extremely different people who have similar values ​​and are ready to defend their position and fight against the improper functioning of the system. We love our country, so we care about its future, and as it’s known to be in our hands. I am proud to be a part of this big family that brings changes for the better future of our state!»

Nika has been an USF activist since the summer of 2021. She was born and grew up in a town near Kiev called Bila Tserkva. There she graduated from 11th grade. In 2017 she entered information technology at the Vinnytsia University of Technology (VNTU). In 2021 I finished my bachelor’s degree. I went for a master’s degree at the same university.
During my student years she was an active member of European students’ organization BEST (Board of European students of technology). For 4 years of my membership was the organizer of many events. And also spent the whole year at the Executive Board in the position of Vice President for Human Resources.
She attended two international student courses in Romania (2018) and Greece (2019).
Since 2020 works as a project manager in an IT company. When he has free time, he is engaged in photography.

«From the first day of the Leadership Program, I realized that freedom is something that can be achieved. That “state affairs” are not only state affairs. The Ukrainian people can influence everything that happens. And first of all we are Ukrainian students who can change the future of Ukraine. I have hope and fire, which will definitely help us at least for a while to get closer to our goal.»

Oleksandra — USF activist, psychologist. She grew up in Vinnytsia, but has lived and studied in Kyiv since she was 16 years old. Oleksandra believes that if you want to change the country for the better, you must be those changes. I got into USF quite because of my friend, who has been a member of this organization for 2 years.

«What is USF — it’s a family, it’s change, it’s the future.»

He was born in the beautiful city Chernivtsi of Bukovyna land. He absorbed love to Ukraine with mother’s milk. At the age of 1 his first word was “Bandera” instead of expected “mom” or “dad”. He took part in Maidan when he was only 14, because even at a young age he was understanding that independence should be fought for. And now at the age of 20 he enters USF, becomes serious civil activist.

«I believe the future of USF depends on its members only. Freedom and strong principles are strengthening this organization.»

Oleksandra — member of USF. Joined organization this year. Work as a journalist.

«In USF I feel like part of the big family and big idea. »‎

Justin is a fresh and motivated USF activist who joined the organization this year. His whole life is connected to Kharkiv. He grew up there, graduated from school in 2019, and is currently a third-year student at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University studying at the School of Law. During the time at the University, he took part in more than ten different educational (and other) events, projects, courses and internships in different parts of Ukraine. The brightest experiences he had were: in 2019-2020 – successful completion of the course “Critical Thinking and Advocacy in a Free Society”, which was taught by American and Canadian professors, lawyers, prosecutors and judges, as well as participation in a complete Moot-Court resulting in the Internship 2020 conducted by The Leavitt Institute For International Development (TLI); in 2020-2021 – participation in the IX and X Summer Schools “Rule of Law and Constitutionalism” involving judges of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts of Ukraine, the European Court of Human Rights, as well as other prominent pundits of the Ukrainian jurisprudence. Equally valuable for him was his participation in the Leadership Program 2021, by virtue of which he got acquainted with the organization as a whole.
Now, Justin, besides his activism in the USF, is an active member of the European Youth Parliament Ukraine, GR-Manager of the Students League of the Ukrainian Bar Association – Kharkiv Branch, a player of the professional basketball team “Kharkivski Sokoly-Universbasket”, and author of several scientific works on philosophy and law.

«USF for me is, foremostly, a platform of consciousness. All the Ukrainian citizens, as well as citizens of many other modern democratic and social countries, are granted with a myriad of rights and privileges. However, the majority of them forget that the price of possessing these rights is carrying respective responsibilities. Indeed, from my point of view, one of the elements of genuine freedom is inventiveness and going beyond ONLY past a complete study, comprehension and perception of rights and responsibilities (or other fundamental opposites) in their entirety. By coordinating this process, focusing primarily on youth and valuable learning, Ukrainian Students for Freedom are gaining their widespread recognition.»