Three questions for... Volodymyr Yakovenko
Volodymyr Yakovenko, Vidnova fellow, head of the Roma youth organization "Youth Agency for the Advocacy of Roma Culture ARCA"
Volodymyr Yakovenko was a recipient of the Vidnova Fellowship we were funding. It supports civil society actors from Ukraine who have been forced to leave their local context – financially and with mentoring.
What are you currently working on?
At the moment we are working on the creation and distribution of information platform "Djanes" and the new podcast.
Why do you believe this project is important right now?
"Djanes" is a modern media platform of ARCA for establishing dialogue, support and solidarity in Ukraine and abroad. It is a space free of stereotypes and prejudice. The voices of those who often go unheard in the contemporary Ukrainian media space are heard here. They tell stories of resistance, overcoming and fighting for their values and identity.
"Djanes" in Romani language means "Do you know?". Here we share knowledge and talk about the history of the Roma and the participation of the community in civic activism, cultural, political and economic life. "Djanes" is a platform about co-creation, participation and cooperation. We do not offer an exclusive Roma space, but stand for the idea that we, the Ukrainian Roma, are, first and foremost, an integral part of the country's history and society. In our team, there are ethnic Roma and Ukrainians, and we work together to display activities of Roma communities who are equal citizens of Ukrainian society as a part of a free Europe.
What are your aspirations for the future, both in your professional and personal life?
I aim to deepen my impact by engaging in meaningful projects that align with my values. Whether through leadership roles or collaborative efforts, I want to ensure that my work contributes to positive social change and innovation.
Personally, I seek to maintain a balance between my professional commitments and personal growth, fostering skills like empathy, adaptability, and resilience that benefit all areas of life.
I value the work of the Vidnova network and EVZ projects and see them as excellent platforms for driving inclusive development. I plan to stay connected, contributing my skills and experience to advance their mission.