On April 23, Spirit of America gathered partners, supporters, and students at Ukraine House in Washington, D.C., for a powerful conversation about Ukraine’s future — and the young leaders already shaping it. The event highlighted UActive, a youth leadership and entrepreneurship program launched by Spirit of America in partnership with savED, and underscored a central truth: investing in young people is one of the most important investments democracies can make.

A Partnership for Good Times and Difficult Times 

Ambassador Oksana Markarova, former Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States (2021-2025) and Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Reconstruction and Investment, welcomed Spirit of America and savED as “friends, allies, and beyond that,” emphasizing that the strongest partnerships are built not only in moments of success, but moments of crisis.

Photo Credit: Caroline Frisby

“The Ukrainian people are the biggest investment that can be made,” the Ambassador said. Investing in youth, she stressed, is critical to Ukraine’s survival and to what the country is fighting for — democracy, freedom, and human dignity. She highlighted the importance of building connections between American and Ukrainian young people, noting that these relationships lay the groundwork for lasting partnerships and shared futures.

Why Youth Entrepreneurship Matters

Jim Hake, founder and CEO of Spirit of America, framed UActive as a clear reflection of the organization’s mission. “UActive is a perfect example of why Spirit of America exists,” he said. “We share our values with our Ukrainian partners.”

Drawing on American history, Jim spoke about entrepreneurship as a defining strength of democratic societies. “The founders of the United States were entrepreneurs,” individuals who took enormous risks to create something new, he said. Small teams, he noted, are often underestimated, yet history shows their ability to drive extraordinary change.

“Entrepreneurship is the superpower of democracies,” Jim said, adding that authoritarian regimes seek to extinguish freedom by extinguishing hope. Supporting young Ukrainians through programs like UActive is about doing the opposite — strengthening hope so Ukraine can not only survive the war, but thrive long after it ends.

Education Under Fire

Anna Novosad, co‑founder of savED and former Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, shared a sobering picture of what Ukrainian students are facing as the country enters the fifth year of the war. Russia continues to target Ukraine’s education system, having damaged or destroyed nearly every seventh school. Students have endured months without electricity or heat, repeated air raid interruptions, and countless hours spent in bomb shelters. 

“For many students, education itself has become a victim of the war,” Anna said. She spoke about a generation of children missing foundational skills — and about the heavy burden placed on teenagers coming of age in wartime, a period already marked by uncertainty even in peaceful times. 

A Student Choosing to Return and Rebuild 

One of the most powerful moments came from Taras, a UActive student who shared his experience returning home after being internally displaced by Russian forces. What he found was devastating: minefields, destroyed buildings, and few opportunities to continue his education.

Photo Credit: Caroline Frisby

Classes were frequently disrupted by Russian air raid attacks, with over 25 disrupted lessons in March, alone. Blackouts lasted up to 50 hours without power or water. Motivation was difficult to maintain as students were emotionally exhausted.

His story echoed a broader truth shared throughout the evening: Russia’s war against Ukraine is ultimately a fight over the country’s future, and Ukraine’s younger generation refuses to let that future be taken from them.

The Future Is Already in Motion 

And yet, Anna emphasized, Ukraine continues to adapt. Its civil society remains strong. Innovation persists. Over the past year, more than 1,100 students participated in UActive, building leadership skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and a sense of belonging at a moment when it matters most. “Ukraine wouldn’t be Ukraine if we didn’t adapt,” Anna said.

The conversation at Ukraine House made clear that human-social capital and education remain among Ukraine’s most strategic assets. Through UActive, young Ukrainians are restoring schools, strengthening communities, and continuously proving that the future is something that must be actively fought for.

Photo Credit: Shannon Di Rocco

At Spirit of America, we are proud to stand with savED, Ukraine House, and the extraordinary students of UActive. Their leadership, resilience, and determination show that Ukraine’s future is not waiting to be rebuilt, it is already in motion.

Support Ukrainian students turning hope into action. Learn more about UActive and how you can help invest in Ukraine’s future.