EU and UNDP are creating new opportunities for young people: new youth space opens in Poltava

The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine have opened a new youth space, based at the Centre for Culture and Leisure in Poltava.

The centre will be a place where local youth can offer their own ideas and communicate with like-minded people to improve community well-being and develop volunteering. It is expected that the centre will facilitate dialogue between youth and local authorities to enhance youth inclusion in local self-governance and integrate displaced youth into the Poltava community.

Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Ukraine, stressed that the EU is interested in expanding the range of opportunities for active youth in Ukraine. "We support the development of youth initiatives that enable young people to make their own decisions and have adequate resources to express their ideas, particularly with regard to recovery and community development," Mr Schleuning said.

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized UNDP's high regard for long-term cooperation with Ukrainian youth and its successful experience of implementing joint youth projects nationwide. "For us, youth are primarily our partners," Cilliers said. "We highly value their experience and unique expertise, and believe that the ideas of young Ukrainians can accelerate recovery and more effectively address the challenges associated with the war."

The initiative to establish the centre originated from a team of specialists at the Unit of Youth Policy Implementation in the Department of Culture, Youth, and Family of Poltava City Council, and the Centre for Culture and Leisure team, who participated in the #SOLVE_IT youth ideathon, also organized with support from the EU and UNDP. UNDP provided assistance for furnishing the centres premises with furniture and equipment.