On 17 December 2025, a team of trained trainers in youth work and trauma-informed approaches met to evaluate the educational and training activities implemented throughout 2025. The meeting was organised as part of the Council of Europe projects “Facilitating access to human rights and essential services for internally displaced persons and returnees at the community level” and “Youth for Democracy in Ukraine: Phase IV”. It responded to the needs of youth workers in Ukraine who continue to work under the conditions created by the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
The updated manual “Human Rights and Trauma-Informed Youth Work” was presented. The revised manual comprises seven modules designed to strengthen competencies related to human rights, young people’s access to human rights, understanding traumatic experiences and resilience, as well as intervision and networking for the provision of psychological support. The new edition aligns with the updated Youth Work Portfolio of the Council of Europe and incorporates the experience of youth organisations and projects supported by the European Youth Foundation since 2022.
Since May 2022, in co-operation with partners, the Council of Europe project “Youth for Democracy in Ukraine” has developed and implemented a comprehensive training and practice-oriented programme on Trauma-Informed Youth Work. Since 2023, 25 trained trainers have been delivering the specialised training course “Trauma-Informed Youth Work” within the framework of the State Programme “Youth Worker”, in co-operation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Youth Centre, international and local partners, the Council of Europe.
From 2024 onwards, in response to the needs of key national and local partners in Ukraine, a second team of experts was trained. This team consists of 24 representatives of youth centres and organisations working with internally displaced persons and returnees, including youth workers, psychologists and social workers.
Further information about the Council of Europe project “Youth for Democracy in Ukraine”, including news, youth resources of the Council of Europe and open calls for participation in project activities, is available via the project’s official webpage.
