The war has changed the geography of our lives, but it has not changed young people’s desire to be useful, to grow, and to shape the future of their communities. That is why representatives from Donetsk Oblast are actively participating in discussions about new initiatives that open up real opportunities for young leaders, volunteers, and activists.
Recently, one such meeting with youth leaders from the Donetsk region took place online. The project “Skills, Leadership, and Recovery: Integrated Youth Development in Conflict-Affected Communities” was presented at the event. This initiative is a joint response to current challenges by UNICEF, implemented by the NGO “STEP” with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KfW). The project covers the territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih, as well as communities in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions—places that have become a second home for many residents of the Donetsk region.
The logic behind the project is simple: a community thrives as long as it has an active youth population. To ensure that young people not only stay in the region but also become the driving force behind its reconstruction, they need a safe space for development and practical tools for engaging with the government.
Work within the project (February 2026 – April 2027) is unfolding along two key lines:
1. Youth infrastructure: supporting existing and creating new youth centers, professional training for youth workers through the “MIST” programs and the certified “Youth Worker” course, mentoring, and knowledge sharing among teams.
2. Advocacy: transforming youth councils into a real governance tool, training in inclusive approaches and effective dialogue with authorities, and updating local youth support programs.
Special emphasis will be placed on “green growth”—environmental awareness and volunteering, which are integral components of a modern European community.
Young people from the Donetsk region who currently live in the project’s target communities or wish to participate in interregional exchanges and training are invited to actively participate! This is a chance to gain not only new knowledge but also resources to implement your own advocacy initiatives.
Have ideas or questions? Contact the NGO “STEP” for details: [email protected] , [email protected]