Partner organisations: Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, terre des hommes
2026
Funding of young musicians of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Since 2018, the Marburg-based Hoffnung13 Foundation has financially supported and enabled sixteen major projects in Iraq, Palestine, Bethlehem, Sierra Leone, Nicaragua and Colombia. In this way, children and young people in and from crisis and war zones were offered music, dance, theatre and art under professional guidance as ways to cope with trauma.
Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (Foto: © YSOU)
Among them are children from Ukraine, for whom the foundation approved two special funding programs – after five Ukrainian children are taught at the Marburg Music School for several years with their help.
New are annual scholarships that Hoffnung13 has been awarding to members of the Youth Symphony Orchestra Ukraine since January 2026. The Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine was founded in 2016 by conductor Oksana Lyniv based on the model of the German National Youth Orchestra, through which contact with Hoffnung13 was also established.
The five musicians between the ages of 16 and 21, who were supported in the first year, want to continue their training despite traumatic experiences – although there is currently little opportunity to play in the bomb-destroyed country and orchestras like the one in Mariupol have been closed, music studies often had to be interrupted and families have little means after fathers and brothers have also died in the war or come back wounded and have now lost their jobs. had lost.
Trombonist Mykhailo: “I sincerely wish that Ukrainian culture and music continue to grow, so that young musicians feel needed in their own country and are not forced to look abroad for opportunities. I continue to study and work because I believe that music is a force that can support people even in the darkest of times.”
The stories of the young Ukrainian musicians paint a picture of resilience and artistic dedication in the midst of war. Although they come from different regions and play different instruments, they share profound traumatic experiences and a firm determination to continue their musical education.
They report extreme personal hardship caused by the Russian invasion: A violinist experienced a rocket strike in her home and had to live in ruins without heating or water every month. Kateryna S. (18) lived under occupation in Kherson for six months. The young trombonist Mykhailo H. (21) lost his brother in the war; his father is receiving medical treatment as a soldier and receives hardly any financial support. Veronika Os. (19) Father also serves at the front. Alina N. (15) lives near a rocket factory under constant fire and was also left behind by her father with debts. Almost all musicians report that they are the only providers for their families or that their parents are unemployed or low-paid.
(Photo: © YSOU)
Despite the adverse circumstances, they pursue their education at various academies (e.g. in Kiev, Odessa, Dnipro and Lviv), but they have many problems: One had to change institutions because their original academy (which had already been expelled from Donetsk) lost accreditation and documents were lost. Mykhailo does not have his own instrument, which makes it difficult to prepare for lessons. Yelyzaveta also dreams of a new violin for international competitions.
Many are already playing in orchestras, such as the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (YSOU) under Oksana Lyniv, or are working in orchestras alongside their studies in order to survive. Since many musicians have died in the war or gone abroad so far, they will have good career opportunities after the war.
The musicians see art as a force that gives hope: Veronika wants to represent Ukrainian culture on international stages to show that art lives on even in war. “I want to inspire people with my violin playing and use it to tell the world the fate of my homeland.” Kateryna only discovered the double bass as her true calling when she fled. Cellist Alina strives to become a first-class cellist whose playing inspires people. Yelyzaveta has set itself the goal of preserving classical music in its country and beyond.
The hoped-for scholarship primarily serves to alleviate the financial burden so that there is more time for practice and artistic development. To meet the basic needs of families and to take advantage of educational opportunities (such as studying abroad or master classes).
These young people are like plants trying to grow through the asphalt of a battlefield to the light. Against all odds, they try to use the beauty of music to support both their families and their national identity.
Trauma support in collaboration with terre des hommes
Another major project started back in 2025 and aims to use movement, play and art to reduce stress and provide trauma support for war-affected children, young people and caregivers in Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk and Transcarpathia. This terre des hommes humanitarian aid project in Ukraine aims to provide trauma-informed support to children, young people, caregivers, volunteers and professionals working with children. The project reaches 650 children aged five to twelve, 310 young people aged 13-17, 50 young adults aged 18-25, their families and caregivers as well as professionals.