On November 28, a final meeting of the Steering Committee for the project “Youth for Democracy in Ukraine: Phase III” was held in Kyiv. The meeting was opened by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, Maciej Janczak. Welcome speeches were delivered by Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Youth Department of the Council of Europe, and Andrii Chesnokov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.

Tobias Flessenkemper emphasized the importance of international support in expanding opportunities for the youth sector in Ukraine. Andrii Chesnokov highlighted the project’s achievements, including the support of youth centers and organizations, the introduction of innovations in the “Youth Worker” program, and the enhancement of the qualifications of youth policy specialists.

Mykola Kobysia, Director of the Ukrainian Youth Foundation, shared perspectives on the development of grant programs for youth organizations. Project Manager Olena Chernykh summarized the activities, highlighting significant progress in strengthening the institutional capacity of youth organizations.

Participants discussed the results of the third phase of the project for 2023-2024, the current state of youth policy in Ukraine, the youth sector of the Council of Europe, and plans for 2025. Specifically, grant initiatives, barrier-free programs, and the activation of youth centers and spaces were discussed.

The Council of Europe project “Youth for Democracy in Ukraine: Phase III” is implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery, and Reconstruction” for 2023–2026. The project builds upon the results and experience of the Council of Europe project from 2020–2022 and expands its systematic influence by enhancing youth policy through participatory approaches and strengthening youth work during wartime and in the post-war context, taking into account the needs of young people.