The government is preparing an action program that should give sufficient attention to increasing economic and social support for young people. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this on Youth Day during a meeting with participants of the Ukrainian Youth Forum.
“Our greatest wish today is that, on this important day, year after year, we will always be able to say that this is truly a day for millions of our people, millions of Ukrainian families, and millions of children who will be born, grow up, and build their entire lives in Ukraine – importantly, in a peaceful Ukraine,” the Head of State said.
The President noted that this requires security. This is the main priority of the work today: finding weapons, missiles for air defense, funding for drones, for resilience, for this winter, and, overall, global support for Ukraine. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the government must also carry out absolutely concrete and clear work to support all forms of public life so that Ukrainian families, young people, and children have a normal environment for life in Ukraine, one that is as fulfilling as possible.
“The renewed Government of our country is now preparing the Government’s program of action – the program of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. I expect that civilian aspects of life, and youth policy in particular, will certainly receive sufficient attention in the Government’s program,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukrainians, and young people in particular, must have greater economic and social opportunities. Only substantial attention and support from the state will ensure that people want to stay in Ukraine, live here, and plan their future at home.
The President noted that several important meetings had taken place in recent days to develop the foundations for the necessary changes and decisions that can already work now. First and foremost, this concerns increasing scholarships, keeping dormitory fees unchanged, and renovating dormitories and campuses.
“Starting September 1, scholarships will be increased. The minimum academic scholarship will be 4,000 hryvnias, the higher scholarship – more than 5,000 hryvnias, and scholarships for special fields – more than 7,000 hryvnias. This is very important. The funding has already been provided for by the Government of Ukraine. But something else is important as well. In the past, an increase in scholarships also meant an increase in student dormitory fees. This year, we really want to avoid that,” the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed government officials to prepare decisions that will ensure that dormitory fees at Ukrainian universities remain unchanged for the next academic year. The President tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine with addressing dormitory renovation needs through cooperation with partners.
The Head of State also drew particular attention to the need to improve the rules for taking the National Multisubject Test (NMT). This year, as before, there were many problems related to its duration, the strain caused by its intensity, and other issues. According to the President, different conditions must be provided for next year: technically equipped shelters, resolved organizational issues, a less intensive NMT, and reasonable timeframes for taking the test.
“The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine must now work through the necessary changes together with communities, schools, and higher education institutions, and I ask that this be done in as much detail as possible and with the utmost respect for children, parents, schools, and universities. People should not have to depend on poor organization of the NMT process or on security factors,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
The third important point, according to the President, is expanding the eOselia program so that as many young Ukrainian men and women as possible can live in their own apartment or house. The government is to present proposals and decisions.
The Head of State also instructed the Prime Minister, relevant government officials, the team of the Office of the President, and communities to prepare more programs and opportunities to involve young people in work within communities related to governance, shaping key processes, and recovery after strikes.
“We see that a significant number of young people – Ukrainian men and women – care deeply, and it is wonderful that they are very interested in taking part in civic activities and in governing their communities. This must continue – and only expand,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President also announced preparations to expand the grant program for Ukrainian youth. In particular, the presidential grant program for small communities will be expanded.
“I ask the Government, in cooperation with communities and Ukrainian banks, to propose additional opportunities of this kind – for our people, for young people – so that people have as many reasons as possible to stay in Ukraine, work for our country and for their families, and feel that our country, our Ukraine, is the only place in the world where you want to be, where you want to live, and to which you want to dedicate your time and your life,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
The Head of State also presented young people with the Order of Merit, II–III class, the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, II class, the Order "For Courage," II–III class, and the Order of Princess Olga, III class, as well as medals and the "Golden Heart" and "Future of Ukraine" awards. The President also conferred the honorary title of "Honored Doctor of Ukraine." Among those honored were warriors defending Ukraine on the front, young people contributing to the development of emergency medical care in frontline regions, volunteering, advancing youth policy, protecting children’s rights, and coordinating youth movements.
In addition, the Head of State spoke with volunteers from the "12–21" youth space, who organized a special youth zone at the forum, and with winners of projects under the 2026 Presidential Grants for Youth from Small Territorial Communities. They presented their work to Volodymyr Zelenskyy: socially oriented programs for adapting to the challenges of wartime, developing inclusive sports grounds and first aid centers, and bringing young people together.
The event was attended by military personnel, volunteers, civic activists, athletes, artists, representatives of state authorities, diplomatic missions, and international organizations.