Fonds Européen pour la Jeunesse

Introductory panel of the exhibition

This exhibition presents 15 selected projects part of the Special call in support of young people from Ukraine - a powerful reflection of the courage, creativity, and commitment of young Ukrainians and their peers from other Council of Europe member states.
We invite you to explore their stories: to witness their challenges, their achievements, and the enduring spirit that drives them forward. The "Tales of the Brave" is more than an exhibition - it is a testament to youth resilience, solidarity, and the enduring power of democracy.

Rights of youth in times of war, Public organisation Radekhiv Center "Youth Initiative", Lviv, Ukraine

The Radekhiv Center "Youth Initiative" helped 25 young Ukrainians affected by the war to stand up for their rights and get involved in creating local youth policies. Through a training on human rights, participants were empowered with skills and knowledge to be more involved in local projects. Even before the project wrapped up, they were already using what they learned to pursue education, or professional development goals.

Teenage club "Girls can!", NGO Feminist Workshop, Lviv, Ukraine

The NGO “Feminist Workshop” ran a safe and welcoming Youth Club space for more than 200 teens (ages 15-18) from the Lviv region, including those affected by the war, displaced teens, LGBTQIA+ youth, and girls. Through workshops, events, and 15 career advice sessions, participants learned about feminist values, equality, and human rights, while encouraging leadership and activism. The whole experience wrapped up with the "Coven Academy of Activism for Girls*," helping girls boost their social skills and career goals.

Transform the community - establish an effective youth council, Youth organisation Terne Bersha, Pantaivka, Ukraine

In spring 2024, the NGO Terne Bersha kicked off a Youth Council at the Pantaivka Settlement Council with 19 young people, including Roma youth. They ran workshops to break down stereotypes about Roma people and helped bring three youth projects to life: through creation of two youth-friendly spaces for young people, putting-up schoolkid signs near a risky crossing, and handing-out reflective equipment to almost 600 children, thus contributing to making the neighbourhoods safer for everyone.

Free and brave, NGO Education 360°, Kyiv, Ukraine

The Education 360 NGO organised a “Free and Brave Academy”, succeeding to develop key personal qualities among 30 IDP teenagers from the Kyiv region, offering psycho-emotional support and career guidance. Participants worked in teams, completed interactive tasks, and boosted their creative thinking. This helped them discover new approaches to solving life challenges.

Youth anchor: civic engagement as a key to downturning brain drain from Ukraine, NGO 3.5 Percent, Mukachevo, Ukraine

The NGO 3.5 Percent explored how participation in local community activities influences young people in the Zakarpattia region when deciding whether to migrate or stay. The NGO worked with 10 youth centers and brought together over 240 young people in focus group discussions and activities. Through this, young people picked up new skills, gained access to informal learning opportunities, and found new ways to take part in civic life. This helped them feel more connected and less eager to move away. The final study looked at the reasons preventing young people from getting actively involved and proposed fresh ideas to reach and include diverse youth groups.

Art, youth and a shared path to peace, Youth organisation Opera Circus Limited, Bridport and London; United Kingdom

This 10-day cultural exchange in Bridport and London brought together 10 young Ukrainians and 19 young people from the UK for creative workshops, learning sessions, and cultural exchanges. Participants visited the House of Commons and universities in London, sparking conversations on democracy, peace, and mental health, with Ukrainian participants sharing their stories and promoting Lviv as the European Youth Capital 2025. The project boosted participants’ confidence, leadership, and advocacy skills, inspired creative self-expression, and even sparked new projects and trainings back in Lviv.

© Photo: Robert Golden       https://robertgoldenpictures.com/ 

Youth trajectory: defined, Junior Chamber International Youth (JCI Youth), Kyiv, Bucha, Uman, Lviv, Ukraine

The NGO JCI Youth ran a project called "Youth Trajectory: Defined" to help displaced Ukrainian youth get more involved in their communities by hosting 5 interactive workshops in Kyiv, Bucha, and Uman for 60 young people aged 14-25. Using a board game called "Youth Trajectory," participants learned about civic engagement, democracy, and social activism. The project wrapped up with a two-day Youth Forum in Lviv, where 30 of the participants received advance training in facilitation and networking.

Summer school for young disabled women "LEADERKA", European Network on Independent Living Youth Network (ENIL), Brussels, Belgium

In July 2025, the Summer School for Women and Girls with Disabilities “LEADERKA” brought together 15 young disabled women from Ukraine and other EU candidate countries for a powerful training in Brussels on political participation and advocacy through the lens of disability justice and intersectional feminism. Over four days, participants built a supportive community, shared stories, and boosted their confidence and leadership skills. They also discovered tools and created connections that will help them to make a change in their community.

Future and hope: bridging youth resilience across borders, World Student Christian Federation in Europe (WSCF), Luserna San Giovanni, Italy

This international meetup brought together 21 young people from Finland, Italy, Georgia, Slovakia, Hungary, Netherlands, Lebanon, Armenia, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Ukraine to create spaces for dialogue on faith and spiritual resilience during wartime. The goal was to build community and solidarity while learning skills like psychological first aid and how to handle emergencies. Through this project, youth networks got stronger, giving young people affected by conflict a space to speak up, stand up for what they believe, and spread the message of peace.

© Photo: Marcos Dorneles for WSCF-E

Get ready for peace!, Youth organisation Aggregazione, Coscientizzazione, Movimentazione Sociale (ACMOS aps), Torino, Italy

The NGO ACMOS aps hosted a 10-day youth exchange in Turin, Italy bringing together 18 Ukrainian students from Mykolaiv, Ukraine and 25 young people from Turin, to discuss topics like peace, democracy and nonviolence. The aim was to promote youth participation in political and social life through outreach in schools and public events. During the exchange, participants created a video sharing their stories and raising awareness about what it’s like to be young in Ukraine during the war.

Environmental consequences of the war – monitoring and overcoming, Cooperation and Development Network for Eastern Europe (CDN), Sheptytskyi, Ukraine

The Cooperation and Development Network for Eastern Europe, ran an international project in Sheptytskyi, Ukraine, were 25 participants from Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Serbia and Ukrainian youth aimed to study the environmental impact of the war in Ukraine and its links to democracy and human rights. Through talks and visits from local representatives, participants explored ways to boost environmental resilience and promote Ukraine’s green recovery. The project inspired new cooperation between Ukrainian and European youth, resulting in three campaign plans addressing mining impacts, dam destruction effects, and environmental crime legislation.