Between 15 and 19 November, Poltava welcomed a five-day Youth Connect for Ukraine programme focused on fresh networks, hands-on experience and ambitious thinking. Over the week, 25 participants learned to design concepts for social initiatives, collaborate effectively, lead with confidence and cultivate empathy.
Participants worked in groups, defined their values, learnt to listen to one another and express themselves. During a hand block-printing workshop, they created stylish prints on their own eco-bags.
The group explored cognitive bias and media literacy, looking for what unites them as a community. A memorable highlight was the Ukrainian Sign Language workshop delivered with the NGO “Mist” (Bridge) (Association of Sign Language Interpreters and People with Disabilities): the young people discussed the importance of inclusive communication, learnt words and basic phrases – and even “sang” a song in sign.
Participants also injected fresh ideas into Poltava’s Youth Strategy, practised communicating with potential partners, mastered the basics of project design and started work on their own initiatives.
A standout moment was the Open Day event dedicated to accessibility and tolerance. Young people audited city spaces for accessibility using wheelchairs, visited a “museum in the dark”, took part in a universal design workshop, watched the performance “(Not) the Edenic Garden” and met with active communities and youth organisations across the city.
By the end of the training, teams had rallied around important themes and presented six social impact initiatives. Next comes a week to refine their ideas with mentor support, with the opportunity to secure resources for further implementation.
Our thanks to the young people, facilitators and partners for five days of inspiration, fresh insights and hands-on learning.
The project “Youth Connect for Ukraine” is implemented by the British Council in partnership with local youth organisations. The training in Poltava was organised in partnership with the NGO “NOVA UNITED”.