Youth Connect for Ukraine in Mukachevo: youth leadership and resilient communities
From 25 February to 1 March, Mukachevo hosted the Youth Connect for Ukraine training programme “Youth Leadership. Resilient Communities”, bringing together 30 young people to explore leadership, collaboration and the development of community initiatives.
Over several days, participants worked with facilitators in a practical learning format that combined training modules, applied exercises and team-based tasks. The aim was to strengthen the skills young people need to take an active role in community life – and to move ideas from discussion towards implementation.
Practical tools and learning modules
The programme focused on key areas of youth participation and community development:
- leadership and teamwork
- communication and constructive dialogue across different viewpoints
- critical thinking and media literacy
- developing social initiatives and project-based thinking
Through interactive exercises, simulation games and group work, participants identified and analysed challenges the Mukachevo community is facing, shaped initial ideas and looked for practical responses. For many, this was a first opportunity to structure their own concept, test it in a team setting and prepare it for public presentation.
Open Day: connections, partnerships and presenting ideas
The Open Day on 28 February created a forum for dialogue, networking and future cooperation. Around 70 people joined the event, including young people, experts, educators, civil society organisations and initiatives working in the fields of leadership and community development.
Participants met organisations active in youth development, discussed potential formats for cooperation, presented ideas for social projects and received expert feedback.
The day added an important practical dimension to the programme by connecting young people with local and regional support networks – a critical factor in helping youth initiatives grow, scale and remain sustainable over time.
Next steps
The programme in Mukachevo demonstrated how non-formal education can help create the conditions for youth leadership, stronger civic engagement and meaningful participation in community life. The next stage will see teams continue developing their ideas and turning their work into concrete initiatives.
Youth Connect for Ukraine is delivered by the British Council in Ukraine. The regional partner in Zakarpattia Oblast is the NGO Prostir Molodi.