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On 15 March 2024, the forum of student ideas “Sumy: Reinvent” was organized by the TSUKR society in cooperation with Sumy State University. For five days, the participating teams gained useful experience and skills in project management.
The event was attended by 20 teams of 5 people each. Eight guest speakers shared their experience of successfully implementing ideas. They change cities and the country. Participants improved their project development skills and represented their concepts of change in the best possible way.
On the last forum day, the participating teams represented their own innovative projects aimed at improving the living standards and comfort of Sumy residents. The jury included representatives of local business, government, NGOs, and potential donors. The topics were different: restoring architectural monuments, organizing leisure and cultural life, addressing sharp social issues.
The members of the top three teams that received the highest scores were awarded prizes (e-books). The winners will go to Ivano-Frankivsk for an internship for three days in April.
The winner was the Food for Plastic project. The participants plan to install special vending machines in Sumy that will give food to stray animals in exchange for plastic bottles.
The second place went to the team with the Ocean project. They came up with the idea of creating a mobile space for students to generate new initiatives. They plan to equip the space with used furniture and decorate it with things thrown away.
Members of the New Breath team received the bronze medal. They intend to organize a space for communication and leisure for the elderly. They will hold hobby classes, educational events, psychological trainings, etc.
“The Student Ideas Forum was a great opportunity to work on our ideas. You could learn from professional mentors how realistic they are in today’s environment, and get energized by other students motivated to change the world for the better. Nothing inspires more than successful examples of cooperation and community cohesion around a particular problem”, – said Zakhar Yuvko, a forum participant and SumDU student.
“I gained very useful knowledge. All this took place in a working but very friendly atmosphere, for which I am grateful to the participants, organizers and mentors. I also discovered new faces, like-minded people with whom I want to change Ukraine for the better. And of course, I received a dose of inspiration and motivation to create this life here and now. After all, when people share their experience, practical skills, and tremendous support with you for 5 days in a row, you cannot help but believe in yourself and others! During all the forum days, no one gave up, even when there were explosions and we were forced to sit in a shelter. I am sure that after the forum, more than one project will be implemented in our city”, – said Yulia Kolodych, a SumDU student and forum winner.
Thus, the forum demonstrated how conscious and proactive young people study in our city. Creative, talented and enthusiastic, they are ready to change the world for the better.
Sumy State University wishes these young active change-makers to develop and implement new ideas, get the support they need, and believe in themselves.