The war in Ukraine has devastated and disrupted many people’s lives. The horror and destruction in Ukraine have and will have long-term consequences for young people from Ukraine. Many had to flee their country, many had to be internally displaced, and for many the horror and destruction of war have become a daily reality.
For young people from Ukraine, youth work and human rights education can offer a much-needed space for hope and refuge for the large number of young people living in or fleeing conflict. Youth work can support young people to transition to new countries and environments and help people feel empowered. The youth sector of the Council of Europe, for example, has been carrying out a co-operation project in Ukraine called “Youth for democracy in Ukraine”, which has supported the development of the youth sector in Ukraine overall.
For the European Youth Foundation and the Council of Europe, supporting young people affected by the conflict in Ukraine has become a top priority. In 2022, the European Youth Foundation launched a special call for projects supporting young people from Ukraine.
Since the launch of the special call, almost 60 projects were supported, out of which 30 were proposed by youth organisations from Ukraine and eleven are international meetings of young people, reaching more than 4000 beneficiaries.
On this World Youth Day, we celebrate the courage and determination of young people and youth workers who are getting involved and taking action to support the country's youth sector.
Read below some projects that were supported through the Special call:
- Local project “Democracy here. Democracy now. Voices of young people in Ukraine”
project implemented by the Donetsk youth debate centre (Ukraine)
This project engaged young people in storytelling in order to give them space to express their experiences, their situations now and their hopes and dreams. In this way, the project increased the visibility of the effects of war on young people in Ukraine by working with young people from five cities across the country. The project collected the stories and through the creation of videos and other media showcased young people’s experiences, advocating for their rights.
- Local project “Focus on youth: youth radicalisation in times of war”
project implemented by the public organization "Development and Initiative" (Ukraine)
The project responded to the problem of radicalisation of young people given the continuous media consumption of violence related to the war. The key activity in this project was a five-day training course with a non-formal education approach, where participants learnt about youth radicalisation in interactive form, after which participants developed local awareness raising actions around media literacy. Through this, the NGO addresses youth radicalisation in the Dnipropetrovsk region and motivates youth workers to focus their activities on this topic.
- International project “The Political Engine - EUkrainian Youth shaping Liberal democracy”
Implemented by the International Federation of Liberal Youth in Tbilisi, Georgia
This project aimed to equip young activists with critical thinking skills necessary to counter disinformation and protect democratic processes. The international gathering brought together participants from various backgrounds to explore pressing political issues and provided them with a unique perspective on the current political climate in Europe. The project reinforced the importance of youth participation in democratic processes and forged a network of young leaders prepared to address disinformation and uphold democratic values in their respective countries.
Through the development of the “political compass” tool, the participants reflected on shifting policies and ideologies during times of war versus times of peace. This dialogue emerged naturally as participants reflected on how external threats, such as the war in Ukraine, can alter both political policies and personal beliefs. This insight into the fluidity of political and ethical beliefs was an eye-opening moment for many, promoting critical thought about how context shapes ideology.
- Local project “Together for Ukraine (Together4U)”
implemented by Champions Factory Sports Club, Sofia, Bulgaria
The prоject prоmоted sоciаl integrаtiоn аnd inclusiоn оf yоung Ukrаiniаn refugees in Bulgаriа thrоugh spоrts, mainly by training 20 Bulgаriаn and Ukrаiniаn sports cоаches in intercultural cоmmunicаtiоn and social inclusion. The cоаches in turn successfully оrgаnised 10 local аctivities, invоlving оver 250 Ukrаiniаn аnd Bulgаriаn yоuth, аcrоss seven cities in Bulgаriа, allowing Ukrаiniаn refugees to engage with their Bulgаriаn peers and and contributing tо their well-being аnd mental health. The project created a comprehensive training mаnuаl on intercultural diаlоgue аnd sоciаl inclusiоn thrоugh spоrt, published (online) in bоth Bulgаriаn аnd English.
- Local project “Teenage Club “Girls* can!”
implemented by the NGO “Feminist Workshop”, Lviv, Ukraine
The project, which involved 225 young people, aimed to promote the integration of internally displaced girls into their new communities. Through a series of educational and capacity-building sessions on topics such as activism and feminism, including LGBTQI+ activism, the girls gained information and awareness of their rights and the skills necessary to take positive action.
- Local project “Bookmobile: Ukrainian Tales on Wheels”
implemented by Velodacha in Fiesole, Italy
This project responded to the needs of young Ukrainian refugees in Italy to maintain cultural ties with Ukraine and to integrate into the new host society. The NGO set up a mobile library of Ukrainian books and organised events and workshops on language, cultural identity and well-being for Ukrainian refugees in the Tuscany region. The project involved 320 young people and reached a total of 600.
- International activity “Beyond Boundaries: The Realities of LGBTQI+ Ukrainian Refugees"
implemented by the International Falcon Movement Socialist Education International NGO, Werneuchen, Germany
This project supported young Ukrainian LGBTQI+ refugees in overcoming intersectional challenges. Over the course of eight days, 20 young people from Ukraine and other Council of Europe member states participated in non-formal education activities, exchanging experiences and learning about the social, economic, and political realities of Ukrainian LGBTQI+ refugees from a human rights perspective.
- Local project “Youth research group on Brain Drain”
Implemented by 3.5 percent, Mukacheve, Ukraine
The project trained 40 youth workers in data collection and developed a national survey among young people on the brain drain and the presence of young people in the country. They reached a further 320 young people through local workshops. The project included capacity-building in social research for youth leaders; national research; presentation of results. The need for this project was explained by the lack of information about youth in the country, especially after the start of the war - brain drain was already an issue in Ukraine before the war, and more young people have left the country.
- International activity “Pathways to collaboration: cultivating dialogue and peace education”
Implemented by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement in Budapest, Hungary
This international activity project aimers to increase the level of expertise of participants in several areas in relation to the humanitarian response (education, community involvement, dialogue, preparedness, and resilience...) and to offer opportunities for sharing of experiences and good practices from a wide area of circumstances, including tools, initiatives, and best practices in relation to the response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis, especially from the countries directly involved, neighbouring or otherwise (e.g. hosting and integrating migrants at the end of their journeys).
The organisation benefitted from the experience of the participants from Ukraine, both living in Ukraine or in Europe, to explore deeper the impact the crisis had on the people of Ukraine, on those internally displaced and on those who were forced to seek refuge abroad.
- Local project “Mental health and well-being program for a small community “Healthy Minds”
implemented by City Youth NGO "Youth Development Center", Zolotonosha, Ukraine
The project supported establishing a network of community youth leaders trained in trauma-informed youth work, fostering psychological well-being and resilience among young people on a peer-to-peer basis. Through the leadership camp 25 youth leaders and community professionals from five settlements in Ukraine gained skills in mental health support, teamwork, conflict mediation, and first aid.
Following the camp, local initiative groups received expert training, advisory support, and resources, enabling them to organize youth-led activities such as career workshops, cultural events, and mental health initiatives. Over 210 young people participated in these community-driven projects. The project also facilitated horizontal networking between active community members, promoting collaboration, experience-sharing, and long-term partnerships.
- "Free and Brave" - program of psychological support and empowerment of IDP youth in Kyiv region
Implemented by Education 360, Kyiv, Ukraine
This project aimed to promote social inclusion, mental well-being, and opportunities for personal development among internally displaced adolescents and youth in Kyiv region through a four-day training called “Academy: Free and Brave”.
A majority of the participants reported being more confident when expressing their opinions and making suggestions. Through collaboration and guidance, they acquired the skills necessary to develop and spearhead their own social projects, thus also learning to organize, design, and effectively deliver their ideas. They acquired experience in teamwork, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement, thereby enhancing the feasibility of their ideas for real-world implementation.
Participants were taught better stress and anxiety coping mechanisms through socio-emotional support activities. Mindfulness practice and group discussion facilitated developing emotional intelligence and self-awareness in them.
Some of the participants have already initiated working with other nongovernmental organizations and young people's councils to advance their work.
Going further
Website of the project “Youth for democracy in Ukraine”, www.coe.int/en/web/kyiv/youth-for-democracy-in-ukraine
EYF special call in support of young people from Ukraine, www.coe.int/en/web/european-youth-foundation/2023-special-call-ukraine