“Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has intensified its efforts to support youth through educational initiatives in Ukraine, with a total of over €350 million, including humanitarian funding,” said Henrik Wittfelt, Head of the Public Finance, Business Support and Social Policy Unit of the EU Delegation to Ukraine , at the event’s opening. “The EU strives to create the best learning conditions for students. We are rebuilding educational institutions, constructing shelters, providing school buses and textbooks, and facilitating access to modern educational platforms and international exchanges.”

“We constantly require support with promotion, because our target audience changes annually.

This includes students entering their first or second year, and those progressing to master’s or postgraduate studies,” says Kateryna Zhdanova, Project Manager at the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine. “And even young people who turn 13 – because Erasmus+ youth programme opportunities become available to them. Therefore, participating in the campaign provided an incredible opportunity for us to discuss all of this as extensively as possible, starting with the launch event at ‘Knyzhkova Krayina’ and continuing during events in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Ivano- Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi.”

“In these challenging times, we have secured additional resources to support Ukrainian NGOs engaged in women’s rights and issues related to gender-based and domestic violence,” the Ambassador emphasised.

“Women have become the driving force of Ukraine’s resilience, spearheading community efforts across the entire country to recover and overcome the devastating impact of this war. The new funding will not only empower women from all walks of life and amplify their voices, but also challenge taboos and contribute to addressing the unique hardships faced by women during this brutal war,” states Katarína Mathernová.

“We are continuing to implement the programme to combat domestic violence, and we are working to amend legislation concerning crimes related to gender-based sexual violence during wartime. We also provide support to victims. The European Union supports these endeavours,” noted Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Olha Stefanishyna.

“Before retirement, I worked in a factory. I had hoped I would finally enjoy a well-deserved rest, have some time for myself, my grandchildren, my home. But the war changed everything,” says 71-year-old Nataliia Petrivna from Zaporizhzhia.

“The windows were blown out, the wind whistled through the rooms, and instead of peace – there was only cold and anxiety about the future,” Natalia Petrivna recalls. “Now the house is warmer and more comfortable. Warmth and safety – that’s what matters most.”

“The project includes the installation of window units, doors, and other repair work for households whose homes were damaged by shelling and which include vulnerable individuals. We plan to assist at least 43 households,” says Project Manager Anna Alfimova.

“Currently, Zaporizhzhia is receiving considerable assistance for the restoration of damaged housing from several funds, including the eRecovery programme. Naturally, we avoid duplicating efforts; we select for the project those who, for various reasons, are unable to receive assistance: either due to outdated or incomplete housing documentation, or other problems,” says Anna Alfimova.

“Animation enables you to express your feelings, even when words are elusive. Teenagers convey their thoughts, fears, and aspirations through characters, which helps them to see themselves objectively and process emotions through creative expression,” says psychologist Viktoriia Stasyuk, who works on the project. “It’s also about the shared experience – when they listen to and support one another, understanding that their emotions resonate with others.”

“I was pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere at the workshops. The combination of psychological techniques and art therapy allowed me to not only understand myself better, but also to express my emotions creatively. It’s a very valuable experience!” says 15-year-old school student Mykhailo Biliy, reflecting on his participation in the project.

This training is ideal for realising the ideas you keep postponing and eventually forget. Furthermore, watching the animation you’ve created with new friends is a particular joy,” Sofia enthuses.

“It wasn’t boring or stressful, because everyone was open to communication, and the exercises and discussions were easy and natural. There was no negativity – only support and the chance to learn something new in a friendly setting!” Bohdan recounts.

“We use a playful format that’s familiar to teenagers to discuss cultural heritage, mythological beings, and historical events. Through projects like these, young people see culture in its diversity, as dynamic and vibrant narratives, rather than static exhibits on shelves,” explains Anna Shcherba, Head of NGO ET CETERA. “Today, implementing such initiatives is crucial, because knowledge of cultural heritage helps to cultivate a conscious civic stance and a sense of community belonging in young people.”

“We have been operating since 2022. Notably, we implemented the project ‘Memory of Ukraine’s national communities’ during this period. The collected interviews formed the basis for the film ‘Vkorineni’ (Rooted), which examines the situation of Ukraine’s national communities during the Soviet era and the period of independence,” explains Yevheniia Nesterovych, Director of Post Bellum-Ukraine.

“The biggest challenge in documenting testimonies from the Romani community is their reluctance to engage with external researchers and their resistance to video and photo documentation. In particular, studio video recording will be problematic,” says Yevheniia Nesterovych. “Therefore, it’s clear that we’ll need to travel considerably more to interview our interviewees in this project. And location filming necessitates lighter equipment and different working conditions.”

We arranged a residency a year ago. It’s convenient and promising, because the House of Sound has a podcasting studio and sound engineers. And that’s why we were keen to be based there, given the potential for implementing other projects,” says Yevheniia Nesterovych “But the renovations there were proceeding very slowly. Consequently, in the infrastructure grant application to the House of Europe, we requested funding to complete the repairs – plastering and electrical wiring.”

“The camera operator course has already provided me with invaluable camera skills and an understanding of how to frame shots effectively. What I appreciate most is the practical application and the instructors’ willingness to share their expertise,” Tetiana shared. “I’m passionate about documenting history, as it’s a means of preserving the truth. Participating in this project is not only a chance to learn a new profession, but also to contribute something truly significant.”

‘I chose subjects that are more challenging to learn independently. Lessons are conducted in a gamified format, so we’re always engaged, and the material is more easily absorbed. For example, in a recent Ukrainian language session, we had to discuss which bird each of us would like to be and why. And in the English session, we practised palm reading on each other,’ says 15-year-old Nastya from Horodnya, Chernihiv Oblast.

“The work on this project is incredibly engaging and beneficial. Through the implementation of new teaching methods and innovative approaches, we’ve been able to assist students in acquiring and grasping essential knowledge and skills that were lost due to remote learning,” says mathematics teacher Tetiana Levchenko from Pechenihy, Kharkiv Oblast “Consequently, students are achieving greater success, and their interest in learning is growing.”

“It’s a fantastic project, encompassing everything from direct engagement with children to online support from curators and tutors. Personally, the project has helped me to manage, or at least mitigate, the effects of burnout,” shares Olena Hutnyk, a mathematics teacher from Bakaliia, Kharkiv Oblast.

“No, the game is pure fiction. It is not based on any specific real-life events or investigations. Its realism stems from the details, as the scenario fully reflects the trends and current challenges NABU encounters in its investigations,” explains Andriy Mishchuk, Head of NABU’s Open Office.

“This encompasses the increasing use of cryptocurrencies, the involvement of international jurisdictions, and the challenges related to wartime extradition, among others.”

“The project seeks to engage young people and other representatives of the target audiences with crucial issues such as corruption prevention, the transparency of state processes, and the significance of integrity,” adds Andriy Mishchuk. “While the game doesn’t replicate specific NABU investigations, it portrays general approaches and contemporary challenges in identifying and countering high-level corruption, and it aids players in developing an understanding of how Ukraine’s anti- corruption system operates”.

“It’s been quite a while, and the agency requested a similar game once more,” says Mariia Chernova, Partnerships Lead at EdEra “While the game doesn’t replicate specific NABU investigations, it portrays general approaches and contemporary challenges in identifying and countering high-level corruption, and it aids players in developing an understanding of how Ukraine’s anti- corruption system operates”.