The SMILYVI award (from Ukrainian сміливі – “brave”) is handed annually to young veterans and volunteers who contribute to positive changes for Lviv and its community.

This year’s ceremony, like the three previous ones, was held on the eve of the International Youth Day. Fifteen people aged 14 to 35 were awarded, including three Lionwood.software specialists.
In the Veterans category:
Stanislav Dekhtiar, military volunteer and veteran, artillerist in the 24th Separate Assault Battalion “Aidar”, Cavalier of the Order “For Courage” (3rd degree), Project Manager at Lionwood.software.
After injury and leg amputation, he is nevertheless active as a volunteer, helping the military, supporting his brothers in arms, and assisting in the development of the veteran community. As part of the Driving Ukraine organization, Stanislav helps supply vehicles for the frontline and ensure support for the AFU.
In the Volunteers category:
Maksym Sosliuk, volunteer, leader of the Driving Ukraine initiative, Business Analyst/Business Developer at Lionwood.software.
Since the start of the full-scale war, Maksym fully dedicated himself to helping the armed forces: from helmets, medical kits and first Starlinks to co-founding the British-Ukrainian community called Driving Ukraine, supplying the AFU with transport. Together with British partners, he helps ensure the end-to-end cycle of procuring and delivering vehicles, managing repairs, camouflage, and modifications.
Pavlo Somko, volunteer, activist, .NET Developer at Lionwood.software.
Pavlo’s main personal project is developing the Ukrainian-language sector on LinkedIn, where he raises awareness of social issues, russian aggression against Ukraine, need for societal change, and raises considerable funds, amounting to over 1 million UAH for the AFU as of the time of this writing. For many, he is chiefly associated with drones, having written a lot about the practical outcomes of their use, pricing, as well as having personally assembled dozens of them.
The winners in the veterans’ and military categories were determined by a special jury composed of veterans and military experts, whereas the volunteers’ category was subject to open vote.
Overall, five people from Lionwood.software were nominated this year. The nominees also included:
This distinction serves as an expression of gratitude to the Ukrainian youth, who, despite challenges, keeps changing both themselves and the nation for the better. The award unites those who work daily for the country’s development and inspire everyone else. The diverse fields of their activities include the IT industry, which proves that technologies can serve not just as tools for businesses but provide support to the army and the community as a whole.
About the company:
Lionwood.software is a Ukrainian IT and software development company with 8 years’ experience in developing innovative digital solutions for businesses within and outside Ukraine. Social responsibility is one of the core values of the company, involving systematic aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, participation in volunteering projects and initiatives that drive social change.
The SMILYVI award (from Ukrainian сміливі – “brave”) is handed annually to young veterans and volunteers who contribute to positive changes for Lviv and its community. This year’s ceremony, like the three previous ones, was held on the eve of the International Youth Day. Fifteen people aged 14 to 35 were awarded, including three Lionwood.software […]
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