Highlights from the First Youth MEET-UP in Zaporizhzhia

The Zaporizhzhia Youth MEET-UP has successfully concluded, bringing together active young people to discuss important aspects of youth policy and urban development.

The event was organized thanks to the collaborative efforts of the City Development Institute of Zaporizhzhia, Zaporizhzhia City Council, STEP NGO, and Youth Online NGO with the support of UNICEF Ukraine. It gathered more than 130 participants and dozens of notable guests.

The forum began with welcoming remarks from Vladyslav Yatsuk, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine; Ivan Fedorov, Head of the Regional Administration; Rehina Kharchenko, Secretary of the City Council; and Munir Mammadzade, Head of UNICEF Country Office in Ukraine.

Throughout the day, event participants visited various locations presented by the Urbanization Initiative, Zatyshno space by Vostok SOS, the Zaporizhzhia branch of Building Ukraine Together, U-Report, UPSHIFT, and the Youth Center.

The forum agenda included several panel discussions on the most topical issues of youth policy in the region. During the first panel, “The Role of Youth in Building the State and Communities,” speakers highlighted the importance of youth participation in politics at all levels, emphasizing that active youth engagement is key to building a democratic society.

Another discussion, titled “Youth Leadership: How to Change the World Today,” focused on the importance of youth leadership in Ukraine’s European integration and postwar recovery.

The final conversation emphasized the importance of youth centers as spaces for development, education, and self-realization of young men and women.

The forum concluded with an interactive “World Cafe,” where participants discussed current challenges and proposed their own ideas for urban development.

Young participants of the MEET-UP impressed everyone with their energy, creativity, and passion for change. They inspire and instill faith in the future of Zaporizhzhia. Their activity and dedication make us believe that together we are capable of great things!

We thank all participants, speakers, and partners for their active participation and contribution to the development of youth policy in Zaporizhzhia.