Valeriia Kolodezhna

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact. 

I believe the world needs more environmental educators who can support grassroots action in their communities. This is the core idea behind my work with EDUna: Education About Nature.

I initially focused on giving teachers high-quality materials on conservation and environmental topics. In 2025, I developed materials on Ukraine’s wetlands and led training sessions on integrating them into curricula. We reached more than 2,000 educators nationwide, many of whom joined our growing teacher community. Yet I realized that training alone was not enough for lasting change: Educators need ongoing mentorship and opportunities to develop their own practice.

We are now putting this into action through a nature education program for young educators, where participants learn from Ukrainian and American colleagues, co-design activities, and lead outdoor programs for local schoolchildren.

The impact I value most is what happens next. Our participants turn what they learn into action. Some of them initiated university research on outdoor climate education, others co-organized environmental events in their cities, and others developed projects of their own. In this way, education becomes a starting point for locally led change.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like? 

For more than four years, my home country has been facing profound challenges, above all, the full-scale war. Before Russia’s invasion, I worked as a geography teacher at a private school in Kyiv, offering both Ukrainian and American curricula. I was deeply enthusiastic about teaching, but didn’t consider environmental education at the time.

When the full-scale invasion began, I was devastated by the loss and destruction of Ukraine’s unique ecosystems under Russian occupation. This led me to join a group of scientists working to protect and document Ukraine’s natural heritage. Together, we did some challenging fieldwork, sometimes under dangerous conditions, collecting biodiversity data in mine-contaminated areas alongside rangers.

The joy of being in nature with my colleagues made clear to me the significant role of exploring nature in helping children and young people develop an emotional connection with the environment. This eventually led me to found EDUna: Education About Nature, an NGO that I am now developing together with my colleagues. We encourage educators to explore approaches to learning that extend beyond the classroom.

This is my journey—one shaped and, at the same time, inspired by the realities of war.

How can people learn more about or support your work? 

Will be incredible to stay in touch on LinkedIn. Our brand-new webpage for EDUna is coming soon!

A Little More About Me

What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?
Inner growth always comes first; professional growth follows. Your personal wisdom will nourish you and guide you along the way.

What song or artist has uplifted you lately?
“Got It in You,” by BANNERS. Go for the acoustic version.

What are you happiest doing?
Exploring a wild place I have never been before. Try it—you’ll know the joy!