Every young person deserves the chance to learn. And in order to be set up for success, they need access to education.
Indeed, education access is a key priority in Ukraine, where Russia’s full-scale invasion has compounded the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to disrupt the education of millions of school-aged Ukrainian youth. A 2022 assessment by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that Ukrainian students have fallen two years behind in reading and up to a year behind in math and science.
This disruption is felt the most in frontline and border regions where Russia’s ongoing attacks have halted in-person classes and forced students to take their lessons online. And due to the constant attacks against the Ukrainian energy system, these students can not fully participate in the online learning because of electricity and internet outages. Youth in these areas face unique challenges and require additional support to become active citizens.
As the world celebrates International Youth Day, USAID envisions a world where young people have agency, rights, influence, and opportunities to pursue their life goals and contribute to the development of their communities. Today’s 2.4 billion youth around the world—ages 10 to 29—are the largest youth cohort ever. Their voices are crucial to building more resilient, democratic societies.
In Ukraine, USAID partnered with local NGO GoGlobal to launch the “Generation of Victory” program. This informal education pilot program provided tailored training and support to 147 10th grade students from 12 communities in the border regions of Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv. At this stage in life, these ambitious teenagers need to understand their dreams and receive guidance on how to achieve these dreams and goals.
As these students finish their formal education and prepare to enter adult life amidst the social instability and educational disruption caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion, the program is helping them navigate this significant moment through a three-pronged approach of mentoring, educational sessions, and team-building events.
Comprehensive Mentoring
“The most valuable aspect of interacting with my mentors was that we could have heart-to-heart conversations,” says one student. Mentors, like the one pictured here, supported students in navigating life and academic issues / Photo Credit: GoGlobal
Two years on from the start of Russia's war against Ukraine, many Ukrainian youth have lost access to adult mentors.
"It's important to have someone to look up to... it helps our development," said one participant of the program.
To address this gap, Generation of Victory matched students with mentors who helped them strengthen life skills such as financial literacy, teamwork, and communication—skills students often lacked. GoGlobal received 185 applications and selected 12 mentors – among them are IT specialists, marketing and communication experts, trainers in non-violent communication and psychologists. They have a different background, but all are united with one dream - to support youth on the path of life.
As one mentor shared, when her cohort came into the program,
“they did not always know how to hear each other.”
The mentorship program, she observed, had a significant impact:
[T]hey really became a team. Now they all listen to each other very well, support each other, respond to ideas, and try to really cooperate in their work. For me, this is our biggest victory, because not only have they finally started to work out solutions together, hear each other and become more tactful to each other, but they have also received support and care for each other.
Mentors also helped students understand their aspirations and realize their full potential through self-discovery. As a result, many students found a new drive.
As one participant from the Sumy region put it: ‘
’The mentorship meetings began, and that's it! I have the energy, I have the motivation, I want to contribute. Especially when it's something interesting that gets me excited. My hand is always up! I can't stay silent, I want to speak, and it energizes me!”
Educational Sessions and Events
Events like motivational lectures and a seven-day camp in Zakarpattia—far from the frontline—helped students build empathy and gain leadership skills. / GoGlobal
In conjunction with the mentoring program, USAID partner GoGlobal coordinated with youth centers in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv to conduct group mentoring sessions and educational seminars for the students. These sessions helped students overcome learning gaps and strengthen their soft skills.
A participant from Zmiiv shared,
"I got an unforgettable experience from offline classes...during the meetings, I had the opportunity to actively practice various skills, and received valuable advice and feedback."
USAID also hosted motivational meetings, where guest speakers gave inspiring lectures on a variety of topics including problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, self-awareness, leadership, and stress management.
The program culminated in events in Kyiv and Zakarpattia to help students apply what they learned, away from their high-stress environments. Students worked in teams to conduct presentations on their learning experiences throughout the program—something that led to an open environment of sharing and communication.
"The Generation of Victory project has taught me to be more communicative and open to new opportunities,” said one participant from Chernihiv. “If there's a chance to change something in your life, you need to seize that opportunity and strive to improve both your own life and the life of your country."
Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi and other officials attended the final event. This gave students a unique opportunity to share their ideas directly with representatives of the government—further advancing them on their journey to becoming active citizens and contributing to Ukraine’s future.
The final event also welcomed guest speakers Serhiy Babak, a member of Ukraine’s Parliament and chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science and Innovation (front); Roman Hryshchuk, a member of Ukraine’s Parliament (back left); Taras Topolia, frontman of the band Antytila and speaker for the Presidential Youth Council (back middle); and Tetiana Kovryga, GoGlobal director (back right), who shared their experiences in achieving success with the students. / GoGlobal
Active participation of Ukraine’s young generation, now and for years to come, ensures Ukraine succeeds not only in the battlefront but in every community across the country. This comprehensive approach not only trained a new generation of leaders, but reinforced their ability to actively participate in society moving forward.
As USAID continues to support Ukraine’s path to victory, programs like Generation of Victory bring the country’s brave, creative young people back into focus—and help them not only dream about, but realize their future.
