Fundraising & International Project Management
Tetiana Zakurdai was born in Ukraine and raised in Switzerland. Sport has been an important part of her life since childhood and continues to play a central role today. For many years, she was passionately involved in ballroom and modern dance; today, her sporting focus is primarily on endurance sports.
Drawing on her own experience as a young dancer in Ukraine, Tetiana understands the discipline, passion and perseverance that young talents bring to their craft – as well as the challenges they often face due to limited financial support, inadequate training facilities and a lack of suitable infrastructure. This makes her all the more inspired by the determination of children and young people who, despite the war, continue to train, develop their skills and pursue their dreams.
For this reason, supporting young talent is particularly close to her heart. Through her work with Ukraine Recovery Aid, Tetiana aims to help create new opportunities for young people, support the development of their abilities, and remind them that their passion and their future matter – even in the most difficult of times.
Why is the mission of Ukraine Recovery Aid personally important to you?
As someone who was born in Ukraine, the future of Ukrainian children and young people is especially close to my heart. I believe it is important to remind them, particularly during such difficult times, that they are not alone and that there are people who believe in them and in their future. I am especially drawn to projects that give children the opportunity to continue pursuing their passions, developing their talents and holding on to their dreams despite the war. They are the generation that will one day shape Ukraine’s future, and I want to contribute to giving them the support and opportunities they deserve.
What has brought you the most joy in your volunteer work with Ukraine Recovery Aid so far?
As I have only recently become more actively involved with Ukraine Recovery Aid, much of my experience so far has been seeing what the other team members have already achieved with an incredible amount of dedication. I have been especially impressed by how small ideas can grow into meaningful projects and reach people who genuinely need support. I have also taken part in collections of food and essential goods and was deeply moved by how many people were willing to give their time or contribute whatever they could. Seeing this commitment and the tangible impact of the organisation’s work is exactly what inspired me to join the team and become more actively involved myself.
Who inspires you most in life—and why?
My mother and the founder of Ukraine Recovery Aid are two of the people who inspire me most. What I admire about them is that they do not simply look at a difficult situation and think that one person cannot make a difference. Instead, they ask themselves: “What can I do?” They take action, look for solutions and keep going even when things do not work immediately or when organisational and financial challenges arise. Their determination, resilience and willingness to take responsibility inspire me to approach life in the same way.
What are you especially looking forward to in your role with Ukraine Recovery Aid this year?
I am especially looking forward to developing new ideas together and discovering where they may lead us. I believe there are so many possibilities ahead of us – from new projects and events to partnerships and collaborations with people who share our vision. What excites me most is that we cannot yet know which opportunities and connections will emerge throughout the year. I am looking forward to meeting new people, exploring these possibilities and turning the best ideas into something meaningful.
How do you most enjoy spending your free time?
I love spending my free time being active. Sport has been a big part of my life since childhood: I used to be passionate about ballroom and modern dancing, while today my focus is more on endurance sports. I enjoy cycling, swimming, going to the gym and hiking. I also love spending time with my family and friends, reading and watching good films. I am particularly interested in history and can easily spend hours discovering something new about it.
