Olena Babenko, a participant in the regional “Young Person of the Year – 2026” contest in the “Energy of Care and Support” category
Olena Babenko is a volunteer from the Bakhmut community who has turned her own experience of forced displacement into a daily effort to support others. After two evacuations due to the war, she not only adapted to her new circumstances but also became one of the people helping to preserve the unity of the Bakhmut community.
Since 2022, as part of the activities of the NGO “We Are with Ukraine,” Olena has coordinated over 4,000 targeted shipments of humanitarian aid to residents in various parts of Ukraine. Under her guidance, families with children, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and the families of fallen Ukrainian defenders received the necessary support. She also helps organize collections to meet the needs of Ukrainian military personnel.
Public advocacy has become an important focus of her work. Olena actively supported the campaign to grant Bakhmut the title of “Hero City,” enlisting the support of prominent Ukrainian figures.
Through her daily work, Olena Babenko demonstrates that caring means taking concrete action, taking responsibility, and being ready to stand by people during their most difficult moments. It is young leaders like her who are strengthening communities and bringing Ukraine closer to recovery today.