d. 26.11.2025

The picture shows employees from the Olena Zelenska Foundation, all working with ”12-21” youth spaces together with the delegation from headspace Denmark; Youth Advisor Mathias, Center Manager Mark, Head of International Team Nina and Project Consultant Julia.

When a country is at war, it's not just the psyche of the soldiers on the frontline that suffers. And it's no different in Ukraine. Studies show, one in four young Ukrainians' mental health has deteriorated, since the war broke out.

At headspace Denmark, we have felt a responsibility to help Ukrainian youth wherever we can. Over the past year and a half, we have therefore collaborated with Ukrainian actors to develop a number of youth centers inspired by our volunteer-based model and our approach to meeting young people. The goal of the new centers is to offer young people a breathing space where they can get support and sparring from professional therapists and volunteer enthusiasts to tackle life in a chaotic everyday life - and a hopefully soon future without war.

With the centers opening soon, a delegation from headspace Denmark participated in three intensive training days in Kyiv last week for the future employees of the first centers. The offer can be used by 12-21-year-olds - from which the name of the centers has also come ”12-21”.

Youth Spaces means a lot to the First Lady of Ukraine

Behind the training days in Kyiv were the main organizations Olena Zelenska Foundation and Voices of Children. Actors from the rest of Ukraine also gathered here - and from headspace Denmark, two youth advisors, a center manager and two from our international team participated. The program consisted of presentations, workshops and practical exercises, where the needs of young people and typical reasons for seeking help were reviewed. headspace Denmark representatives gave presentations on volunteer work and caring methods in the meeting with young people.

The headspace delegation also had the honor of meeting the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, who emphasized how important this effort is for Ukrainian youth. The ”12-21” project has become a special priority for her and she appreciates this joint effort between partners.

The importance for Ukraine's youth

Youth spaces offer Ukraine's young people quick access to help without long waiting times and without facing prejudices - a very important element for Ukrainian youth, as was emphasized during the training. In the new youth spaces, young people can get help in a range of areas from low-intensity counseling - one-on-one and in groups - to more intensive support from professional therapists, as well as career counseling and other meaningful activities.

An interesting detail is that since the war broke out, there have been a growing interest in getting involved in volunteering in Ukraine. The new centers also aim to push that movement and help new volunteers build skills, confidence and resilience.

”Ukraine has come an impressive distance in a short time”

The collaboration on the ”12-21” project began when a Ukrainian delegation visited Denmark last spring to learn from headspace Denmark.
Since then, we have worked closely with the Olena Zelenska Foundation, the State Coordination Center for Mental Health and Voices of Children to adapt the model - with a special focus on building a strong volunteer culture.

Nina Moss, Head of International at headspace Denmark, says:
”Ukraine has come an impressive distance in a short time and the employees we met were both committed and passionate. It means a lot to us to see that our model can make a difference in other countries - even in contexts that are markedly different from the Danish, and we have a clear sense that ”12-21” youth spaces will help many Ukrainian youth.”

With the first youth space opening this week and more to follow in the coming months, Headspace Denmark continues with capacity building, training, online sparring and follow-up visits during the implementation phase.

For more information contact:

Julia Adelsten Olsen, pProject consultant in headspace Denmark's international team

Email: jaol@detsocialenetvaerk.dk