Donetsk city youth center of arts "EkoArt"

Donetsk city youth centre of arts “EkoArt” is an association of active young people of Donetsk (Ukraine). We are a non-profit Ukrainian youth non-governmental organization, which operates on the principles of equality, cooperation, teamwork, initiative and creativity. The Centre of arts "EkoArt" began its activity from March 2001 through the second Donetsk Youth Arts Festival “EkoArt” and fruitfully works till now, holding a variety of creative and social youth actions.
Since the Centre has been established, we consider the culture and creativity as a complex and profound phenomenon, through which we could influence the various spheres of life and solve different problems. The organization is based on the ideas of peaceful coexistence of people, tolerance, promoting democratic values, creative approach to solve various problems.

Our aim is all-round support, development and implementation of youth ideas in all spheres of life.

Our main directions of activities are:
• development and popularization of youth creativity and culture;
• increase of social activity of youth;
• assistance for democratization of society, informing of young people about their rights and freedom and their protection;
• assistance for development of the institutional capacity of civil society organizations and cultural institutions;
• assistance for development of independent youth mass media;
• promotion of healthy life style.

Target audience of the Center is youth regardless of their gender, education, religion, social status
or physical conditions, including those with fewer opportunities and disabilities.

One of our aims is to straighten the organizational capability of NGOs and initiative/informal groups from small towns, rural and suburban areas of Donetsk region. We actively share our experience with smaller organizations and individuals in order to improve our society and help Ukrainian citizens become more active on local and European level.

The Centre has implemented about 65 projects and events of varying complexity and duration in different directions for and with youth – trainings, creative workshops, seminars on European awareness, active citizenship, photo contests and exhibitions, musical, theatrical and literary events, information campaigns, etc.
We try to transform people’s attitude to volunteering, including work for environment improvement. Environmental and ecological issues were always key components and sphere of our interest. During 2001-2009 years the Centre conducted annual “Open Donetsk youth festival of arts “EKOART” with annually involved group around 1000 talented young people aged 14-35 years, and where the ecology was one of the sub-categories of all nominations.

Currently we work on the topic of industrial heritage in Donetsk region, creating touristic routes, analyzing the heritage and its possible use as urban spaces.

During the last 3 years members and volunteers of Centre of arts “EkoArt” were promoting Ukraine in various youth projects under Youth in Action program.