How the EU invests in Ukrainian youth and education: report with photos

Lviv hosted the final event of the All-Ukrainian communication campaign “Together We Learn & Grow. Together We Are Europe.” It was launched by the EU Delegation to Ukraine last September at the Knyzhkova Kraina (Book Country) Fair in Kyiv.

The campaign featured eight large-scale events held across various regions of the country. They were attended by over 15,000 educators, students, children, and community representatives. Each event highlighted and discussed four main areas where the EU supports Ukrainian education and youth. In particular, it focused on creating safe educational spaces, modernising vocational education, strengthening higher education, and supporting the youth sector.

A Gazeta.ua correspondent attended the final event of the campaign.

Great opportunities

Upon entering the Festrepublic space, where the event began, all visitors were greeted by a large stand displaying a map of Ukraine. The slogan in the left-hand corner emphasized: “Knowledge is the light that never fades!” Young people gathered to take photos in front of the map before proceeding to the main hall.

Inside, visitors were offered coffee and desserts. Those interested could also purchase Lviv chocolate and local delicacies.

In the central hall, an Opportunities Space was organised. At the tables, representatives of the organisers discussed various opportunities and case studies from EU projects and partner programmes of the event. In particular, they discussed the Erasmus+ programme, which provides Ukrainian students and lecturers with the opportunity to exchange experiences, the Young European Ambassadors initiative that engages youth in the processes of European integration, the eTwinning programme that enables Ukrainian schools to collaborate with European educational institutions, and more.

On the opposite side of the hall, a quiz was being held, where participants could win prizes such as pencil cases, notebooks, or thermos mugs. To win, participants had to answer questions about the activities of the European Union correctly.

Katarina Mathernová, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine, noted that this campaign serves as a window into the EU’s activities and opportunities for Ukraine. All these events and programmes are extremely important and demonstrate the European Union’s solidarity with Ukraine.

“In these difficult times, we wanted to reaffirm the European Union’s commitment to Ukraine, the EU’s commitment to youth, and the European Union’s commitment to education. Because education is the future of your country, and your future lies in the European Union. Ukraine is Europe,” Mathernová stated.

She added that the European Union has allocated approximately €400 million to programmes supporting youth and education in Ukraine. These programmes cover various areas, ranging from the construction of shelters for educational institutions and school nutrition programmes, to the relocation of universities from eastern Ukraine to other regions of the country.”

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the European Union has actively helped Ukraine and implemented various projects not only for young people but also for veterans.

“Europe is ready to help, but we must also have the capacity to accept this. Our task is to share the experience we have in terms of cooperation with international institutions for Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kupiansk,” said Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. “Yesterday morning, we opened a European Integration centre. This is a place where colleagues from different regions will come to learn.”

Ukraine’s path to the EU

During the event, Katarina Mathernová commented on the issue of Ukraine’s accession to the EU and the changes taking place in the country during the war.

“I know that all EU procedures here seem too slow. This is because time in Brussels and Ukraine moves at different speeds. And what takes three months elsewhere happens in Ukraine in three days,” emphasised the Ambassador. “The application to join the European Union significantly accelerated everything related to the issue of EU enlargement and Ukraine’s accession. This was not the case before.”

She noted that Ukraine is paying a very high price for its freedom, independence, and European aspirations.

“But, as the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says: “The European Union will be stronger once Ukraine becomes a member,” said Katarina Mathernová.

Informative lectures

The Discussion Space was located in a large hall, filled with young people. Roman Shcherban, a Ukrainian comedian and volunteer, served as the moderator and host.

The official opening of the event took place in the Discussion Space, where participants discussed the successes of EU educational and youth initiatives, as well as presentations of new opportunities for Ukraine.

During the Discussion Space activities, a ceremony was held to award journalists from regional media who had participated in a competition within the campaign. From 94 applications, five winners were selected. They received honorary awards and prizes from the EU.

Following this, those interested could attend informative lectures on developing leadership qualities to engage young people in local decision-making and enhance the role of youth in community development, career opportunities, and an interactive lecture on artificial intelligence. Visitors could also learn about EU educational and training programmes aimed at young veterans and IDPs.

The event concluded with a performance by singer ALYONA ALYONA.