Participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year 2026” contest in the “Impulse for Youth Initiatives” category Karolina Vanoyanі
Karolina Vanoyan is a student at Kyiv University of International Relations, a civic activist, a volunteer, a musician, and a native of Kramatorsk who combines education, creativity, and service to society. Despite having the opportunity to continue her studies abroad after the outbreak of full-scale war, she made a conscious decision to remain in Ukraine to help her country.
Karolina heads the university’s Youth Council, actively participates in student self-government, represents Ukraine on the international stage, and won an international grant competition, which gave her the opportunity to conduct research on international law in Canada.
Karolina’s volunteer work is inextricably linked to music. Her charity performances have allowed her to raise over 163,000 hryvnias to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and charity auctions in which she participated have provided Ukrainian soldiers with necessary equipment. She also personally baked over 300 Easter cakes for defenders on the front lines.
In addition to her community work, Karolina teaches children to play the violin, combining music education with the cultivation of patriotic values. Her example demonstrates that youth leadership, active citizenship, and professional development can serve as a powerful catalyst for positive change in society.