From 3 to 7 September, Lviv hosted a five-day offline youth leadership training “Youth Connect for Ukraine”, organised by the British Council in partnership with the NGO Molodvizh.
Twenty-seven young people aged 16–29 who are eager to transform their communities took part in training sessions on leadership, critical thinking, and teamwork, and presented seven social initiatives. These included projects on promoting contemporary culture, supporting veterans, offering art therapy for vulnerable groups, and expanding educational opportunities for young people. Together with mentors, the teams will further develop their ideas and present them in a competition for funding to implement their projects.
The training concluded with the Molodvizh Festival, where the British Council was a partner. This year, the festival gathered around 4,000 participants from across Ukraine and became a vibrant space for exchange and new connections. Guests included government representatives, volunteers, veterans, entrepreneurs, artists, and civic leaders.
Colm McGivern, Director of the British Council in Ukraine, during a panel discussion on youth development, highlighted: “Young people in the UK and Ukraine have a lot in common, despite a fundamentally different context: Concern about their education, getting a job, and having a voice in shaping their future. International connections can help young people learn about differences and see similarities. At the BC we support them with the skills and networks they need.”
Another highlight of the festival was a debate session organised by the British Council for young participants. In an interactive format, they discussed the essential skills and values of young leaders, teamwork, and the positive impact leaders can make on their communities.
We thank all participants and partners for their energy, bold ideas, and commitment to action. Ahead lie new steps and even more opportunities to drive positive change!
The project “Youth Connect for Ukraine” is implemented by the British Council in partnership with local youth organisations. In Lviv, the partner is Molodvizh.