Youth Connect for Ukraine in the Bucha community: training, pitching and an Open Day in Bucha
A Youth Connect for Ukraine programme in the Bucha community brought young people together for several days of intensive learning and a public closing event. Delivered by the British Council in Ukraine with local partners, it blended practical workshops with teamwork, helping participants sharpen the skills needed to take an active role in community life.
The programme culminated in an Open Day on 13 March in Bucha, which brought together young people, civic initiatives, local leaders and representatives of institutions working to support community development.
What participants worked on
The training followed a hands-on approach: real situations, real dilemmas, real decisions. Participants strengthened core competencies that underpin civic engagement and community action, including:
- leadership and team dynamics
- communication and working constructively with different viewpoints
- critical thinking and project-based planning
- identifying local challenges and shaping workable responses
- preparing ideas for public presentation and expert discussion
Day four: projects, pitching and wrap-up
The final training day focused on turning concepts into credible initiatives. Teams refined their proposals, agreed objectives and delivery formats, and considered what impact could realistically be achieved in the community.
Then came the pitch. Each team had only a few minutes to present, take questions and defend the logic of its idea. The day closed with reflection and certificates for participants.
Open Day in Bucha: dialogue, an initiatives alley and a human library
Open Day served as a civic meeting point and a chance to build new partnerships inside the community. The event opened with remarks from Daria Voronina, Project Coordinator for Non-Formal Education at the British Council in Ukraine.
A public dialogue, “Youth and the community: how to have real influence”, brought participants together with local government representatives to discuss practical tools for engagement and cooperation.
The programme also included:
- a session “How change begins: from idea to action”
- an initiatives alley, “Bucha’s ecosystem in one space”, showcasing active organisations and community groups
- a human library, “The leader’s path”, with personal accounts of responsibility, experience and leadership
- a calligraphy reflection workshop and a Plast campfire on unity, providing a warm closing and space to reflect
The Open Day underlined a simple point: Bucha has young people ready to connect, organise and act.
The Youth Connect for Ukraine project is implemented by the British Council in Ukraine. The regional partner in Bucha is the NGO Mist zmin.