On May 30, the Suspilne Lviv team met with participants in the Veteran Leadership Programa multi-module training program implemented by the CHESNO Movement in partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University. Vitalii Hamadin, editor-in-chief of the Western Regional Hub and Suspilne Lviv; producer Maksym Voloshin; and journalist and host of the “Suspilne Studio” project Kateryna Nekrecha worked with the veterans, who are eager to strengthen their role in the country’s development.
“It is important that this program offers veterans not just symbolic participation, but concrete tools for working in the civil society sector, local government, and public administration. Such initiatives help create an environment in which veterans’ experiences become part of societal decisions and the country’s development. We appreciate the opportunity to share Suspilne’s experience and believe that the knowledge gained about working with the media will open up new opportunities for people who, after their service, want to make a difference in their communities,” said Vitaliy Hamadin.
Throughout the day, participants familiarized themselves with the work of the Lviv branch of Suspilne Ukraine. They were given a tour of the broadcaster’s facilities, including the museum of television and radio history, the studio equipment room, and the bunker studio. They also had the opportunity to talk with the broadcaster’s team and learn more about the day-to-day operations of Suspilne Ukraine.
The Veteran Leadership Program, which the CHESNO Movement is implementing in partnership with the UCU School of Public Administration, has invited Suspilne Lviv to partner on the communications training module for the third time.
“It’s important to us that veterans have the opportunity not only to learn the theory but also to see how the media actually works from the inside, — says Viktoria Oliinyk, director of the Veteran Leadership Program. — This is a unique opportunity for participants to try their hand at working in a television studio, understand how journalists operate, and receive honest and professional feedback from the Suspilne team. This hands-on experience helps veterans communicate their ideas with greater confidence, work with the public, and serve as strong voices for their communities.”
The program’s educational component included lectures and practical exercises focused on media communications and working in the public sphere. In particular, participants discussed building a personal brand in the media, storytelling, and modern formats for presenting information. Special attention was given to on-camera work: veterans recorded short interviews, analyzed their work with media professionals, and worked in teams to prepare campaign programs and debates. In the studio, Kateryna Nekrecha, a journalist and host of the morning segment of the news and analysis project “Suspilne Studio,” shared her experience with the participants.
The day concluded with a training debate and a joint review of the participants’ presentations.
“I am glad that Suspilne Lviv has once again served as a venue for the Veteran Leadership Program organized by CHESNO and UCU. Knowledge about media, communication, and public engagement amplifies the voices of veterans in society. It is important for us to support such initiatives and serve as a platform for exchanging experiences and exploring new opportunities,” noted Maksym Voloshin, producer for the Western Regional Hub and Suspilne Lviv.
As a reminder, the Veterans’ Leadership Program, organized by the CHESNO Movement in partnership with the School of Public Administration at the Ukrainian Catholic University, is designed to develop veterans’ leadership skills and facilitate their integration into public life. The program is supported by the MATRA Program of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Ukraine.
Suspilne Ukraine is an independent media company with a strong presence across all platforms: the TV channels Pershyi, Suspilne Kultura, Suspilne Sport, and a national network of local channels; the radio stations Ukrainske Radio, Radio Promin, Radio Kultura, Radiotochka. Find only verified news on suspilne.media, as well as on our national and local digital platforms. We broadcast in minority languages, represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, develop the children’s platform Brobaks, and train media professionals through the Public Media Academy. Our Suspilne Mediateka platform offers unique video and audio archives dating from the 1920s to today. Defending freedom in Ukraine.
