On Saturday, 25 April, our team left their laptops for shovels and joined a toloka (community-led cleanup) in one of Lviv’s green residential areas, near the twin ponds in the Kozelnyky district.
The initiative was organized in cooperation with Sykhiv Media and the Sykhiv District Administration, bringing together volunteers from the neighborhood and local businesses. The location itself, sitting on the southern outskirts of Lviv, is one of the locals’ beloved spots for walks and recreation – but also sits close to the Halychyna Rehabilitation Center, currently offering recovery to veterans among other patients. The shared vision, endorsed by volunteering individuals and organizations, is for this area to become a well-maintained, accessible space, while contributing to the urban and suburban ecosystems.
The experience might have been surprising to someone new to this kind of work (which we aren’t). During the cleanup, volunteers collected both trivial and unusual kinds of waste – from plastic bottles and packaging to broken windows, refrigerators, and sunken toy ships.
While the volume of litter was noted as an ongoing area of concern, the initiative also showed that consistent efforts make a difference: compared to last year’s cleanup in the same location, the area is already noticeably cleaner.
The work revealed the natural value of the location, too. We encountered local wildlife – nesting ducks and beaver activity – a reminder that these urban green zones are shared ecosystems, not just recreational spaces.
For Lionwood.software, participating in initiatives like this is a natural extension of how the company approaches social responsibility. It’s not about one-off events, but about returning to the same places, supporting local communities, and contributing to gradual, visible improvement.
In the words of one of the participants, Lionwood.software’s Head of Talent Acquisition Anna Bodnar:
“I really appreciate Lionwood’s social initiatives — when you can see a real, tangible benefit for the environment. It brings the team together and reminds us that our actions can make a difference.”
Caring for the environment often comes down to simple, practical actions: showing up, working together, and maintaining what we all share. And while volunteer cleanups are important, they also point to a broader message: lasting change depends on everyday habits and collective awareness.
You can read more about our broader approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility here.
