Despite all the challenges of today, the youth of the Pokrovsk district, particularly the Myrnohrad community, are actively engaging in positive changes and forming a new ecological culture in the region.
One example of such an initiative is the implementation of the project "Flowers of the Future of Donetsk" within the competition for internally displaced persons "DIY Community" by UNICEF.
The participants were active young people among IDPs who currently reside in the Dnipropetrovsk region but have a strong connection to Donetsk. The project not only provided participants with new knowledge but also fostered confidence in their own abilities and the importance of civic participation.
Key stages of the project:
- An educational online meeting with the chief specialist of the Department of Environmental Policy of the Dnipro City Council, Svitlana Barannik, served as a catalyst for forming ecological thinking. The youth learned not just to listen, but to discuss, analyze, ask questions, and seek answers to today's challenges.
- "Ecological consciousness is a power that starts with us," the participants share.
- Group work on the ecological challenges of Donetsk united the participants and gave them an understanding that even the most complex issues can be solved together. The youth sought paths to change through dialogue, support, and joint planning.
- An online quiz on ecological topics not only tested the participants' knowledge but also encouraged further study of important issues — the impact of microplastics, the dangers of batteries, and climate change problems. This became a step towards a conscious attitude towards the environment.
- The final and symbolic stage was the creation of a thematic eco-object — a flowerbed that became an embodiment of the revival of Donetsk and a symbol of hope. For the participants, taking part in its creation was an act of faith in the bright future of their native land.
The project was implemented within the UNICEF Program in the Donetsk region, carried out by the NGO "Zakhody" in partnership with the NGO "Country of Development" with the support of the Donetsk Regional State Administration.
The Donetsk Regional State Administration supports youth initiatives that form a new culture of responsible attitude towards the environment, promote community unity, and help young people remain active and confident in their own potential.
