Growing up in war, choosing Europe: the power of the Ukrainian youth during wartime

Ever since the war began on 24 February 2022, the young generation has been forced to reevaluate the things that truly matter to them. A myriad of young people, as well as adults, have encountered such disastrous problems as loss of their loved ones or their homes due to war (destruction) or occupation, relocation of family members and relatives abroad, mental health difficulties (bad mood, depression, anxiety, loneliness), power outage and just deprivation of the opportunities for work and study. Yet regardless of all the hardships faced under the conditions of martial law, young Ukrainians are driving change, assisting other people or the military today, while at the same time working to contribute to the creation of a prosperous future. A large number of successful projects in civic engagement, volunteering, and support for vulnerable groups have been initiated and carried out by young people, demonstrating their overwhelming strength and energy. 

First, it is crucial to mention the data on the number of young people involved in volunteering, which increased significantly after the outbreak of the war, with 30 per cent of young people in 2023 saying they had started volunteering after February 2022, a figure which increased to 34 per cent in 2024. Overall, the proportion who had previously volunteered and continued to do so in the past 12 months increased from 42 per cent in 2023 to 51 per cent in 2024.  At the same time, the proportion who did not volunteer at all fell from 52 per cent in 2023 to 44 per cent in 2024. 

These data highlight a structural shift in youth participation, suggesting that volunteering is becoming a stable and long-term component of civic culture. Having said this, what still motivates these youngsters to embark on this volunteering path? When you are forced to withstand all the difficulties related to the war, including the constant risk of missile attacks, you are at the same time driven to seize every possible moment that may be spent with the nearest and dearest, every small opportunity that may become a big accomplishment tomorrow. The uncertainty has made Ukrainians resilient and stronger, both mentally and physically. Material belongings are not considered to be so precious. After spending weeks in the same pair of jeans, living in metro stations and packing only essentials into a small backpack, we reconsider minimalism. And reflecting on what things we have put into our backpacks while being evacuated gives new insights into what is really important to us. Even those who have not experienced direct exposure to the war are aware of the hurdles that their relatives or friends have had to overcome. These stories and personal experience are what inspire young Ukrainians to play a role in building a better society and environment right now, simultaneously shaping the future. They demonstrate that the future can only be changed through small but meaningful projects implemented today. In the context of Ukraine’s struggle, there must be a vital requirement for a transformation of the cultural discourse – shifting it away from a colonial legacy influenced by Russian media, language, and music, towards an orientation on the national cultural wealth. Young people are making a tangible contribution to this shift, reinforcing a national identity and cultural sovereignty that is essential for the country’s resilience and development.

Next, I want to introduce some examples of recent projects led by Ukrainian youth that aim to foster EU-Ukraine relations, while assisting Ukrainian society.

‘Create Ukraine’ programme, modelled on Lithuania’s Kurk Lietuvai and funded by the European Union through the EU4Youth programme, enables highly educated Ukrainians with international experience to return and work within state institutions, where they facilitate EU integration, strengthen governance, and support reforms under wartime conditions. The first cohort of participants quickly integrated into government teams and achieved significant results. They contributed directly to negotiations on the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, coordinated #URC2025 with over 6,000 participants from 60 countries, resulting in more than 200 signed agreements, and led national communication campaigns reaching a global audience of 38 million people. Participants also represented Ukraine at major international events, including the Ukraine-Japan Forum and Expo 2025, bringing visibility to the country’s recovery and reform efforts. In addition, they completed a comprehensive screening of five chapters of Ukrainian legislation, laying the groundwork for an updated Labour Code aligned with EU, ILO, World Bank, and Council of Europe standards. 

Then, the CPVA – Central Project Management Agency, a Lithuanian government-related organisation that coordinates and implements strategic projects across Ukraine, especially those focused on reconstruction, infrastructure, governance, and international cooperation –  has recently implemented two innovative projects to strengthen Ukraine’s education infrastructure amid wartime challenges. The Future School for Ukraine project delivers a ready-to-adapt model for modern educational facilities. On 7 January 2026, CPVA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania officially handed over the full project package to the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, with the first school set to be built in Zhytomyr with Lithuania’s support. This initiative addresses the urgent need caused by Russia’s attacks, which have damaged or destroyed every seventh school in Ukraine and affected over 2,000 others, providing communities with high-quality school designs. Complementing this, the Dual-Use Underground Shelter at Molodizhne Lyceum has been recognised as the best social project at the LPVA “Best Social Project” awards, symbolising security, continuity, and hope. The shelter functions as a school, allowing 700 children to study safely even under extreme weather or wartime conditions, while also serving as a multifunctional space for education, culture, sports, and community activities. Remarkably, the project was completed in less than a year despite the ongoing war, demonstrating both efficiency and the transformative impact of youth-led, innovative solutions on Ukrainian society.

These efforts underscore a shared sense of civic responsibility and innovation, proving that even in the most challenging conditions, Ukrainian youth are transforming ideas into impactful, practical solutions that strengthen society, governance, and local communities. Young people are consistently supporting national society and will never quit doing this. They strongly believe that every small step matters on the way to big changes. Overall, taking into account all of the examples I mentioned above, I hope this will encourage you to realise the impact you can have and ask yourself: what am I capable of doing for my own country, following the inspiring examples of Ukrainian youth projects that show how young people can use their skills, energy, and creativity to prompt meaningful change and support communities?