The Wind Is Wild

Witer e.V. is a youth work association based in Munich. We focus on fostering the independent development of children and young people by promoting individual expression, creativity and language skills 🪁

ODE TO THE WIND

In 1957, the famous Ukrainian writer Ivan Bahrianyi published a book of novels in Munich, titled "Wild Wind." Symbolically, it was meant to be a trilogy about Ukrainian youth during World War II. Unfortunately, Bahrianyi was unable to complete the other two books. However, our team has embraced the spirit of his work and decided to carry forward its message of empowerment for young people in times of crisis.

As a tribute, we named our association "Witer" (Wind in Ukrainian), reflecting the strength and resilience symbolized by the wind in Bahrianyi's unfinished trilogy.

Our projects provide access to non-formal educational services, support the integration of refugee youth from Ukraine, and encourage cultural exchange through international initiatives.

Local Work

ZGRAYA (a collective noun for a group of animals in Ukrainian, usually wolves) is an outdoor educational tent camp program for Ukrainian young people.

Founded in 2021, each season we create an opportunity for young people to take part in creative workshops and develop their own art projects (pottery, visual art, filmmaking, choreography, music, theater, etc.) with the help of a competent team of trainers. Through non-formal education, we expand their worldview, foster self-development, and promote civic engagement — all in a natural setting.

The camp takes place each summer in a safe region in Western Ukraine, far from the city, air raids, and the daily worries of life.

International Work

Art@Nature is a project that brought together artistic young people from Germany and Ukraine to explore the wonders of nature and unleash their creativity. Over the course of the project week, the participants explored different themes using creative workshops, choreorgaphy and visual art media to make their own music video.

Art@Nature was produced through a collaboration between Witer e.V. and Sprachbewegung e.V.

Learn More

“Duality Of Me”

Watch the music videos produced in frames of our Art@Nature project. It’s a story about controversy between our emotions and behaviour, between saddness and joy, fear and anger, serenity and, of course, love ❤️

EMISSARIES NETWORK

Over the years of working with groups of young people, we have built a small network of individuals who are ready to go beyond simply participating. These young people take on greater responsibility in our projects, becoming youth leaders, active citizens, and agents of change within their local communities.

For us, sustainability is not just a trendy buzzword — it is an integral part of our vision and organizational strategy. We don’t organize youth exchanges; we cultivate a community of Emissaries who are active, conscious, and eager to make the world a better place.

Ulia

Ivanko

Nika

Roman

Lida

Marta

About the team

“What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff — I mean if they’re running and they don’t look where they’re going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.”

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Viktoriia Chetverikova

Board Member & Project Coordinator
I work with communication in its broader sense: I run a language school, I study how to improve the effectiveness of communication within various teams.
My current mission is to support Ukrainian youth and build a bridge for them to engage in projects within an international context.
Katia Henrikh

Board Member & Project Coordinator

I enjoy mixing up different media, methods and approches in my work with youth. It’s important for me to empower the vulnerable communities and help young people raise their voices.

My current mission is to develop strong and active networks of positive change makers all over the world.