Anna Pavlenko, a participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year 2026” competition in the “Youth Initiatives” category
Anna Pavlenko is a 10th-grade student from Bakhmut who combines academic excellence, athletic achievements, and active community involvement. A multiple medalist in regional track and field competitions and a winner of academic Olympiads and creative contests, she has proudly represented the Donetsk region at the national level.
After being forced to evacuate to Dnipro, Anna did not stop her community work. She became the head of the Donetsk Oblast Council of Student Self-Government Leaders, and in 2026 she was elected chair of the Bakhmut Community Youth Council. Her initiatives are aimed at supporting children, internally displaced persons, and the development of youth leadership. Anna organizes art therapy sessions, self-regulation workshops, and theater events for children from frontline communities, and participates in volunteer campaigns in support of Ukrainian defenders.
For her active civic engagement and volunteer work, she has received letters of appreciation from the Bakhmut City Military Administration and the Luhansk Regional Center for Youth Initiatives and Social Research.
Today, Anna represents the Donetsk region at the All-Ukrainian Youth Congress under the President of Ukraine and is working to develop interregional cooperation among youth councils. Her example proves that the youth of the Donetsk region are not only overcoming the challenges of war but also creating new opportunities for community development and the future of Ukraine.