Russia’s attack on Ukraine has been going on for over a month. This brave country’s coworking spaces are making headlines because of their courage and ability to resist violence and foster goodness and grace. Not for the job they do. These spaces remain open despite the threat and continue to serve their country and communities.
Since the start of the war, the Creative States team has been active in humanitarian aid and volunteering. Every member of the community is able to and eager to help. The Creative States community is strong and there are no worries about its strength. Sharing culture is one of the common threads that unites these brave individuals.
to the reconnaissance group in the southern direction. We don’t care about the headlines, we help to achieve the results. Creative States is currently closed. We will rethink many things after the victory. We will improve the infrastructure and set new standards. It is important to be ready for a slow recovery. We must win first,” says Ilia Kenigshtein (CEO and founder of Creative States).
Platforma (Kyiv)
On the property of the workspace, two warehouses were constructed. The first addresses individual deliveries for disabled and retired people, large families, refugees and low-income individuals who are physically unable or unwilling to buy food. Platforma can be reached via social media by people who simply want to receive assistance. The central humanitarian headquarters uses the second warehouse as its hub. It works with restaurants, schools, and kitchens located on Dnipro’s left bank.
“Platforma is now the central point for humanitarian assistance in Desnianskyi district. We also began cooperating with the Kyiv City State Administration, and are continually expanding our capabilities. We will make every effort to assist everyone in need through our humanitarian center. This is our battleground and our contribution to the common victory i> – Maria Kravchuk CMO of Platforma
K15 (Ternopil)
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, the coworking space at K15 was just about to open. Ternopil was home to a large number of people without a place to work, so the hub opened in an emergency.
The Center of Entrepreneurs Support Diia is located on the same floor with the coworking space. K15 joined hands with the center to start its operation. This model of cooperation is ideal for entrepreneurs as they can co-work at the K15 coworking area and get free business consultations.
Our workspace is free to volunteers and those who protect Ukraine on the information battlefield. We are creating comfortable and convenient workstations for residents and migrants, since K15 is the only coworking space located in Ternopil. We want to help those who cannot afford desks so we offer them to volunteers .” Oksana Kachurivska is the Head of Diia. Business Center in Ternopil for Entrepreneurship Support.
Futura (Lviv)
Futura Hub’s unique approach is to provide humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine affected by war. They continue to expand their business and opened a new location in Lviv’s heart on March 18. The most important amenity is a bomb shelter that offers excellent mobile and Internet connectivity. This allows customers to not interrupt their work during air raids and keeps them safe.
“We combine our normal operations as a coworking space and a refugee shelter setup in our lecture hall. It can hold between 25-30 people. Many families have been hosted by us from the Kyiv, Sumy, Kyiv, and Kyiv regions. We also offer humanitarian assistance to the Ridni Charitable Fund. They provide humanitarian aid to the Ridni Charitable Foundation. In addition to caring for orphaned children and those from low-income families, they also transport them to safe refuges in Western Ukraine or Europe. We provide food, medicine and all they require .” – Iryna Hrydova (Coworking Community Administrator, FuturaHub Lviv).
Cherdak (Vinnytsia)
As early as the beginning of World War II, Cherdak’s team started taking in migrants from the country’s east and southern regions. The initial group consisted of 20-40 people, 60 or 60, but it soon grew to hundreds. They set up coworking spaces, schools and offices for refugees. The city’s restaurants provided food, while volunteers donated clothing and other necessities. With the help of coworking space residents, partners and friends, the shelter centers were created.
“Our main business, coworking, is going through hard times. Constant air alarms and the threat of airstrikes don’t allow residents to focus deeply on their work. Currently, the majority of our coworking spaces are empty and waiting for better times. We are confident that the country will win this war, and that coworking services can be launched very soon.” — Feliks Vokov, founder of Cherdak
BeeWorking – Kyiv
BeeWorking is a wonderful coworking network in Kyiv. Ilya Bezruchko was the space CEO and cofounder. The war interrupted the timelines for this amazing growth plan and disrupted the deadlines.
BeeWorking was not about greeting customers. It had to be a fortress that protected its staff and members. They are now aiming to save the community as well as keep the team together. Ilya is optimistic and hopes to make the best of it and get his business on its feet soon.
This post was written by Tara Kintz. Tara is a director at Signature Workspace which is a work space rental. Signature Workspace, owned and operated by Cantor Fund Management, offers services and amenities such as private offices, flex space, co-working space, virtual offices, meeting/conference rooms, and more.
