On the occasion of the European Youth Week, we have prepared a short interview with our current volunteer from Ukraine, Kateryna Chechkina. She is the 100th volunteer at EKOenergy within the European Solidarity Corps programme, a European Commission initiative that promotes non-formal learning through volunteering abroad.
Welcome, Kateryna! Could you tell us a bit about your volunteering experience with EKOenergy and share your impressions so far?
Kateryna: Thank you for having me! I’ve been volunteering at EKOenergy for eight months now, and a lot has happened during this time. From the very start of the project, I’ve been fully immersed in the team’s work, which is focused on expanding the impact of renewable energy. I’ve gotten the impression that EKOenergy is a living organism that’s constantly in motion. Every new day is different from the one before.
From your experience, how do you see the mission of the European Solidarity Corps in general? What impact does ESC have in real life?
Kateryna: European Solidarity Corps is about people who strive for change. The European Solidarity Corps creates a space where, across Europe, young people from different countries can work side by side and learn new things together. In practice, this works in very concrete ways: volunteers gain new knowledge, skills, and experience, learn languages, and build strong friendships. But perhaps the greatest impact of the European Solidarity Corps is the way it changes one’s worldview. Gradually, you begin to understand Europe not as an abstract idea or a geographical concept, but as a living community of people with shared values. And that feeling, it seems to me, stays with a person forever.
How do you see Ukraine’s place and role in such programmes?
Kateryna: In my view, Ukrainian volunteers create a unique connection between Ukraine and Europe. The exchange of knowledge and experience between Ukrainian and EU volunteers leads to genuine mutual understanding that benefits both sides. This cannot be achieved through any document or agreement, as it is truly a practical and effective means of cooperation. This, in turn, creates opportunities for both Ukraine’s European integration process and the formation of a shared European identity, in which Ukraine has its place. For Ukraine, this is an act of cultural and civic engagement in Europe. We are also active participants in positive changes taking place both within the EU and beyond its borders.
Do you notice any concrete results of European-Ukrainian cooperation while you are in Finland as a volunteer?
Kateryna: A prime example of this partnership is EKOenergy’s involvement. Since 2022, we have allocated €270,000 to different Ukrainian NGOs to support vulnerable communities in Ukraine. I am very happy that, as a volunteer, I can play an active role in this, working to ensure that these stories remain visible and meaningful to people around the world. At the same time, the Association of Ukrainians in Finland is building a vibrant community that fosters human connections between the two countries. All of this together forms the current flowing across an imaginary bridge from EU countries to Ukraine and back, making integration not just a mechanical process, but a daily practice of solidarity.
Is there anything you would like to say or advise to potential participants from Ukraine?
Kateryna: Just go for it. I know it can feel overwhelming at first, with a new country, a new language, a new environment. But that discomfort is exactly where the growth happens. My advice is to come with an open mind and a willingness to contribute, not just to receive. This experience gives you a lot, but the more you put into it, the more meaningful it becomes. Engage with the people around you, ask questions, share your own perspective, because your story as a Ukrainian matters here, and people genuinely want to hear it.
And for those who feel uncertain whether this is the right moment, given everything happening back home, I would say that going abroad doesn’t mean stepping away from Ukraine. In many ways, it means carrying Ukraine with you and ensuring it remains present in the conversations that matter across Europe.
Published: 29 April 2026
