On 21 August, the My Impact Event, the culmination of the #MyImpact (#MamWpływ) project, was held in Warsaw. For the past year, Vibez.pl's editorial team, in partnership with media from Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia, has been promoting activism in areas such as mental health, ecology, LGBTQ+ rights, and social engagement important to Generation Z. During the event, activists took to the stage to share insights into their work and initiatives.

Among the speakers was Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius, the first openly gay man in the Lithuanian parliament, who shared how he successfully advanced the civil partnership bill. Poland was represented by Dominika Lasota from the East Initiative (Inicjatywa Wschód) and Alicja Herda from Warsaw's Equality Town (Miasteczko Równości).

Rada Boneva, often humorously referred to online as the 'Bulgarian Greta Thunberg,' spoke about her work under the brand ‘Thrift Sheep.’ Through her blog, Instagram, and podcast, she advocates for a sustainable lifestyle, demonstrating that it is possible to live, dress, and eat beautifully and enjoyably without falling prey to the pressures of marketing and over-consumption.

During the My Impact Event, Boneva discussed how to inspire others effectively on social media, highlighting the importance of leading by example rather than moralising. She also stressed the significance of localness and affordability, explaining that instead of showcasing shopping trips to eco-stores in the capital, she films herself selecting items in supermarkets found in every Bulgarian town.

Marta Grzeszczuk, Vibez: What unique challenges does Generation Z in Bulgaria face in relation to your work?

Rada Boneva: There's much misinformation, and sustainable consumption isn't a priority for many. I recently attended a European Commission conference on fake news, where Bulgaria ranked among the top five countries in the EU most vulnerable to false information. There's an urgent need for education in critical thinking.

MG: How would you summarise your message at today’s event in a few sentences?

RB: I want sustainable thinking to become the norm. I’m no special; I simply want everyone to care about our planet. We all share the same sky above our heads; it doesn't care about borders or politics.

Alex Super Beats is a DJ and co-founder of OWPN Academy, an initiative providing free support and psychological education to the electronic music community in Romania. In an interview, he reflected on the unique experiences of those who grew up in the aftermath of the Ceaușescu dictatorship, which only ended in 1989.

Alex Super Beats: Some traumas are passed down from generation to generation. Under the dictatorship, even freedom of thought was suppressed. In Romania, religious faith was replaced by a cult-like belief in the dictator. Today, young people are often uncertain about what to believe. I found belief in authenticity, kindness, compassion, and love through therapy. I think these are healthy beliefs.

Marta Grzeszczuk, Vibez: You mentioned on stage that attending therapy is sometimes stigmatised in Romania. Does this stigma affect young people as well?

ASB: No, for young people, therapy is actually considered quite ‘cool.’ However, it's costly, making it a privilege to afford. We are fighting to make it more accessible within public healthcare. That’s why I, along with friends, organised our project, which offers free therapy. We don’t ask for anything in return—well, maybe just a like on Instagram [laughs].

MG: How would you summarise your message at today’s event in a few sentences?

ASB: Challenge and question everything. Allow yourself to doubt what love really is. Is it what we’ve seen in dysfunctional families—a lack of affection, a lack of kind words? It’s crucial to question these inherited beliefs and discover your own truth despite the weight of generational trauma.

Almantas Dulkys from Lithuania advocates for mental health awareness on LinkedIn. His involvement in this cause began after the pressures of the corporate rat race led him to depression and suicidal thoughts, ultimately landing him in a psychiatric hospital. His social media presence has since garnered significant engagement on the career development platform.

Marta Grzeszczuk, Vibez: What unique challenges does Generation Z face in Lithuania?

Almantas Dulkys: Many young people are quite aware of mental health issues, but this awareness is largely confined to a bubble in the three largest cities, where wages are high enough to afford psychological support. In other regions, access to such help is severely limited. The public healthcare system is failing, and the cost of private consultations is constantly rising. The wait time for an appointment in the public system can be as long as six months. There is an emergency helpline available, which I used myself during my suicidal thoughts. They receive over 50,000 calls yearly, which isn’t decreasing.

MG: How would you summarise your message at today’s event in a few sentences?

AD: I would say: ‘You are not alone.’ Everyone faces mental health challenges. More than a billion people worldwide are struggling, and that’s only counting those who have sought help. When we’re in pain, it’s easy to feel completely isolated, which only deepens the suffering. But when we open up, we realise that many others are going through the same thing. It’s crucial to talk to others during difficult times, and it’s a blessing if we have access to a therapist.

Present at the My Impact Event were our media partners in the #MyImpact project: Lithuania's Delfi TV, Bulgaria's news portal Netinfo, Romania's PRO TV, and Croatia's Index portal. The event, filled with valuable content and inspiring speakers, is now available on the Delfi TV YouTube channel.