I was lucky to be part of it, representing the NGO Association of Youth Workers of Ukraine and the NGO Great Idea. This is not just another event – ​​it is a key step towards solving the challenges faced by young Ukrainians forced to look for a new home due to the war.

Conference topics: integration and support of displaced youth

The conference brought together representatives from four countries — Ukraine, Poland, France and Austria, including representatives of the EU, non-governmental organizations and youth. The main goal of the meeting is to create effective strategies to support Ukrainian youth who ended up in other European countries because of the war. Each discussion touched on important topics:

1. Integration of youth into new communities: how to ensure a safe environment for Ukrainian youth in the countries of their temporary stay was discussed. Are existing support programs sufficient? How can young Ukrainians be helped to adapt to new conditions while preserving their identity?
2. Youth policy and its role: considerable attention has been paid to how to adapt national youth work strategies to the realities of war. Accordingly, the participants actively sought solutions on how best to integrate new challenges into youth work programs.
3. EU support and other international initiatives: the possibility of expanding EU-funded support programs to ensure long-term assistance to young people was discussed. This is extremely important, because aid should not be limited to short-term solutions.

Displaced youth: challenges and opportunities

Displaced youth face many challenges: from finding a safe place to live to the need to adapt to new cultural conditions. One of the central topics was the question of how to ensure that Ukrainian youth, while in Europe, feel safe and have all the opportunities for self-development.

Conference participants shared their own ideas on how governments and community organizations can better support young people in such challenging circumstances. This includes creating a safe space for young Ukrainians, where they can not only receive support, but also continue to build their careers and personal lives.

Personal insights and significance of the conference

For me, this event is of great importance not only for my professional activities, but also personally. This is not just a conference, but about the opportunity to be part of processes that change the lives of young people, help them integrate and find new opportunities.

• Unity and support of the Ukrainian diaspora: regardless of where Ukrainians are now, it is important to maintain our ties. Our community is a great strength, and I was once again convinced of this at the conference, where Ukrainians supported each other and strived for development, despite all the difficulties.
• Responsible partnership: the conference brought together representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, which together can do a lot to support Ukrainian youth. The partnership between states and public initiatives has a huge impact, and we continue to develop this partnership to further support young Ukrainians.

The role of public organizations in supporting youth

For organizations such as the Association of Youth Workers of Ukraine and the NGO Great Idea, the conference in Warsaw was another confirmation of the importance of work for the benefit of youth. Continuing our activities, we provide resources, support and opportunities for the development of young people, both in Ukraine and abroad.

We realize that our mission is to help young people adapt, preserve their identity and find their way in this complex world. The conference showed that we are on the right track and that our work really matters to the many young people who are now overseas because of the war.

I hope that our joint activities will continue to change the lives of young Ukrainians and help them find new opportunities for development.

Thanks the organizers of the conference and all partners who joined this important event. Together we can make a big difference!

Liudmyla Zubarieva,
member of the NGO “Association of Youth Workers of Ukraine”
head of NGO “Great idea”