Youth/U.integration Platform
A voice and space for active youth of migrant origin
My Grant Victory – My journey with USB began completely unexpectedly. At one event, I met Olena Krylova, the head of the organization. Just a few weeks later, I received an invitation to join the team as a marketing specialist.
For me, as a migrant with three years of life experience in Switzerland and S status, this became something much more than just a job. It was an opportunity to contribute a part of myself to supporting others — by sharing and using the very experiences I live through every day.
What I love about USB is that it brings together not only Ukrainian migrants but also representatives of other communities. This opens the door to new ideas, useful connections, and a deeper understanding of the challenges people face in different life circumstances.
I feel especially connected to working with youth and developing the U.Integration direction. One day, simply from the heart, I applied for a grant in Basel to support youth initiatives — and… we won! Our project received funding thanks to open voting. This became vivid proof that what we do truly matters for the local community.
Today, USB for me is a platform for self-realization, a bridge to new partnerships, and a chance to create real change. Here, I see how collective efforts can build a society where everyone has the right to a dignified future.
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I went from Newcomer to Navigator!
As a first-generation immigrant, I know exactly what it’s like to start over from scratch — learning a completely new culture, mastering another language, and figuring out how to navigate systems that seem like a puzzle at first glance. It’s a balancing act: carrying the heart and traditions of my homeland while building a life in a place that’s still becoming “home.”
That’s why I volunteer with U-Integration. I want to be the person I wish I’d met when I first arrived — someone who could hand me not just directions, but hope. Whether it’s guiding someone through confusing paperwork, explaining local customs, or simply being a compassionate listener, I see every interaction as a chance to make the path a little smoother for someone else.
What drives me most is the transformation I witness: the moment uncertainty turns into a smile of relief, the spark of confidence when a newcomer realizes, “I can do this.” My own experiences have become tools I can pass on — practical advice, emotional support, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
To me, this isn’t just volunteering. It’s a way to turn my journey into a bridge others can cross, helping them integrate more quickly, feel more confident, and truly belong in their new home.
I transformed my passion into a new path
My name is Iryna, I’m 26, and because of the war in Ukraine, I am starting my life anew in Switzerland.
Not long ago, I defended my master’s thesis in law, and just a few months later, I found myself in a completely different country, culture, and reality. Here, I felt like a child again — learning to speak, to study, to grow, and to overcome not only the challenges of immigrant life but also my own inner struggles, step by step.
At first, it was easy to close myself off, but I realized that isolation is a trap. That’s why I immediately began learning the language and enrolled in a master’s program at a local university. It was a bold move, even if my direction later changed. Because the most important thing is to keep moving forward and discovering yourself.
It turned out I had been heading toward this for a long time — at every job or meeting, I was always the one trusted to take photos. And then it hit me: this is it, my thing! Today, without regret, I’m starting my journey in photography — and later in media production.
I believe a person cannot live in isolation. We all need community. That’s why it’s so important for me to be among people who grow, support each other, and overcome challenges together.
Volunteering at U-Integration has become a space where I can both help others and discover new sides of myself. Here, I’ve felt like a manager, photographer, organizer, communicator, and even a psychologist. It’s not just about helping — it’s about growth, experience, new skills, valuable connections, and genuine emotions.
One of the most valuable things I’ve gained through U-Integration is a circle of people who have already walked the path I’m just beginning. They are ready to share their experience and guide me in the right direction. This is the kind of support that inspires me to keep moving forward and confidently build my new life.
U.integration
is open for new volunteers
and team members
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