On Youth Day, “Responsible Citizens” participated in the All-Ukrainian Youth Forum

Youth leaders and activists from civil society organizations across Ukraine gathered in Kyiv for three days to unite their efforts and articulate their vision for the future of post-war Ukraine.

This event served as a crucial platform for exchanging experiences and ideas aimed at shaping Ukraine’s youth policy.

“Especially now, the youth is the driving force behind the changes our country needs as it faces the growing challenges that have persisted since 2014. Therefore, fostering responsible citizenship is a vital part of engaging young people in civic activities that benefit society as a whole. We are confident that the role of youth in the recovery process will be decisive, which is why we actively support initiatives that give young people a voice,” commented Enrique Menendez, Program Director of the NGO “Responsible Citizens.”

During the forum, we contributed to the development of a new youth policy and actively worked on formulating the Concept for the State Target Program “Youth of Ukraine” for 2026-2030. This program will serve as a strategic document, setting the priorities for youth policy in the coming decade.

A significant aspect of the forum was the support from our partners — UNICEF Ukraine, USAID, and UKaid, who expressed their commitment to youth initiatives and shared their experience in fostering youth movements in other countries affected by armed conflict.

For our part, “Responsible Citizens” already possess expertise in supporting youth, having implemented a series of educational projects in partnership with Mercy Corps and World Vision International. Notably, through our educational initiatives, we have opened new opportunities for learning and professional development for thousands of young people from Eastern Ukraine.

This year’s forum marked an important step toward deepening cooperation and gaining a better understanding of the needs and aspirations of young people in Ukraine.

The event was organized by the Youth Affairs Council under the President of Ukraine in close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, in coordination with the Office of the President of Ukraine, and with the support of several international partners.