6 May 2026: Young people’s contribution to democracy, human rights and the rule of law must be acknowledged - a need that remains central in the context of the New Democratic Pact for Europe. The Framework Programme for Co-operation in the Field of Youth Policy 2026-2030 reaffirms Ukraine’s steadfast commitment to European youth co-operation. Youth policy in Ukraine focuses on addressing the war’s long-term consequences for young people and creating conditions for their resilience, development, and active participation in society. Special attention is given to internally displaced youth, young veterans and their families, and to fostering social cohesion at the community level, particularly in the context of recovery and reconstruction.

 These were among the key messages shared by Ukraine’s youth stakeholders at the first meeting of the Management Committee of the Framework Programme for Co-operation in the Field of Youth Policy between the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, 2026–2030.

 Victoriia Riasna, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for European Integration, underlined: “Today, Ukraine participates in this co-operation not only as a beneficiary but also as a contributor. Maintaining youth policy processes, participation mechanisms, and youth work under wartime conditions has become part of our shared knowledge.”  Riasna added that the Framework Programme builds on this accumulated experience, reflecting a common understanding of the current context and providing a structured basis for future work.

 Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department, underlined that the Framework Programme has been among the key components of the Council of Europe Youth Sector’s co-operation with Ukraine. It has created a space to identify needs, shape inclusive youth policies, and anchor young people’s voices in decisions that will define Ukraine’s recovery.

 The Framework Programme for Co-operation in the Field of Youth Policy 2026–2030 addresses cross-cutting priorities during the war and in the post-war recovery period, including creating barrier-free environments, building resilience among war-affected youth, fostering a sense of belonging to Ukrainian and European communities, and supporting the reintegration of displaced persons, young military personnel, and veterans.

 The Management Committee meeting was held the day after the fourth and final Steering Committee meeting of the Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2021–2026. The meeting brought together Ukraine’s key stakeholders and featured the youth sector’s flagship initiative, the Youth for Democracy in Ukraine project, now in its fourth phase.

  Victoriia Riasna, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and Sophie Kwasny, representing the Council of Europe Youth Department, underlined the project’s key achievements, including strengthened competences of public servants in participatory youth policy, a trauma-informed youth work programme, and extended pools of experts in human rights education and barrier-free environments, equipped to respond in a timely and adequate manner to young people’s needs.

 Looking ahead, the Council of Europe Youth Sector’s co-operation with Ukraine should also advance the following areas: volunteering, given that the reconstruction of Ukraine depends significantly on the knowledge and commitment of young people both within Ukraine and across Europe; and the establishment of a hub of expertise on youth work in wartime and post-war contexts, to be based in and run from Ukraine, drawing on the exceptional knowledge developed by Ukrainian youth work practitioners.