At Recovery Generation Youth House, an official side event of Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 co-organised with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, we explored the role of young people in decision-making, community recovery, and Ukraine's future, as well as the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
The discussions brought together young Ukrainian leaders from across Ukraine and around the world. They shared their experiences, reflected on the challenges facing young people today, and put forward ideas they believe should shape youth policy and Ukraine's recovery efforts.
Some of the key messages from the discussion included:
💡 Young people should have a seat at the table where decisions about the recovery of their communities and country are made.
💡 Young people need more than short-term projects. They need long-term opportunities: access to quality education, pathways to first employment, mentorship, and support to develop their own initiatives.
💡 Civil society organisations remain one of the most important spaces for developing youth leadership, practical skills, and civic engagement.
💡 Young Ukrainians abroad remain an integral part of the global Ukrainian community. Strengthening these connections and creating opportunities for collaboration should remain a priority.
💡 Trusting young people means sharing responsibility with them, involving them in decision-making, and supporting youth-led initiatives at every level.
These conversations help shape the decisions we need today so that young people can fully realise their potential and play an active role in building Ukraine's future.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia within the framework of the project “Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver of Reforms and Democracy”, funded by Norway and Sweden; the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative Office in Ukraine; in partnership with the Youth Organisation Tvory, the NGO Headquarters of Ukrainian Youth of the World, the Civil Society Union Ukrainian Network for Child Rights, and the National Youth Council under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
