© Stiftung EVZ / Olena Staranchuk
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is having a massive impact on Ukrainian society. The destruction of archives, libraries and museums serves to weaken Ukrainian culture and its identity-forming power and to erase the historical memory of the Ukrainian nation. In our YeMistechko funding program, we support museums, libraries and other cultural institutions that consider themselves identity-forming places, want to shape life in their communities and mobilize people.
In Ukraine, where the first and second places (home and work) are often inaccessible due to war damage and hostilities, social spaces must contribute to the joint shaping of coexistence and respond to current needs. With the funding program “YeMistechko – a place for everyone!”, the EVZ Foundation supports identity-forming and socially relevant institutions such as museums, libraries, and cultural centers in developing into third places and becoming more actively involved in their local communities. The program's target group includes all residents, including those who experience exclusion or are threatened with exclusion from community life. This includes, for example, elderly people, especially survivors of Nazi persecution, members of minorities (Roma, Crimean Tatars, LGBTIQ persons), internally displaced persons, returnees from abroad, and war veterans.
The ability to act collectively is a sign of a strong identity.
The concept of “third places” has its roots in the ideas of sociologist Ray Oldenburg, who first presented it in the 1980s in his book “The Great Good Place.” Oldenburg defined “third places” as places that are most important to people after their home environment (first place) and workplace (second place). In other words, “third places” are social meeting places where people come together to exchange ideas, work, learn, develop and implement new ideas or low-threshold offers together, or simply spend time with each other.
These places promote social interaction, creativity, and a sense of community. They provide a space where people from different backgrounds and with different interests can come together and help to strengthen social bonds. They support a sense of belonging and the (re)integration of people into society. Third places can have a positive impact on democracy and the development of participation, i.e., the active involvement of citizens in public life.
There are a variety of activities and opportunities that can be offered in third places, depending on the interests of the community and the resources available:
© Alona Movchan
The opinions expressed in this film do not necessarily reflect the position of the EVZ Foundation. Responsibility for the content lies with the author of the video.
Author: Alona Movchan, Suspilne Kherson (Ukrainian public broadcaster) and volunteers from the Center for Joint Engagement “Common Wings” in the city of Kherson, Ukraine.
© K. B.
© Mariana Tymtsik
© Aljona Wowok und Oleksandr Bilow
© Pymonenko Museum
© Needed Hub
© Stiftung EVZ / Olena Staranchuk
At the invitation of the EVZ Foundation, I decided to design the illustration for the YeMistechko program because I am convinced that culture is both our protection and our foundation. In times of Russian war, disinformation, and propaganda, it is crucial to preserve memory, strengthen connections between people, and create spaces where encounters are possible. ‘Third places’ give those who have lost their homes a new sense of security and help to build new communities. This topic is very close to my heart – working on it was not only a responsible task, but also a source of genuine inspiration."
Olena Staranchuk, graphic designer and illustrator, Pictoric, Kyiv, Ukraine
Specialist Advisor
Tel.: +49 (0)30 25 92 97-102
E-Mail: pryhornytska@stiftung-evz.de
