Participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year 2026” competition “Impulse for Youth Initiatives” category Alona Khodan
Since 2020, Alona Khodan has headed the Siverskyi Youth Center “Territory M.” In this role, she works to create opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills and to engage them in volunteer work and civic initiatives within the Siversk territorial community.
Following the start of the full-scale invasion and the forced displacement of residents from the community, Alona transitioned the youth center’s operations to remote and hybrid formats. This made it possible to maintain communication with young people and expand activities to include internally displaced children and youth in various regions of Ukraine.
Between 2025 and 2026, more than 100 events were carried out under her leadership, including educational programs, discussion clubs, art therapy sessions, and patriotic and volunteer campaigns. In particular, as part of the DIY COMMUNITY competition, the center implemented the grant project “Create a Sense,” aimed at providing psychological support, helping with adaptation, and promoting socialization for IDP children.
In addition to leading the center, Alona has been a member of the executive board of the Siverska Community Youth Council since its founding, where she promotes the development of youth self-governance and the involvement of young people in decision-making at the local level.