Kyiv, 17 December 2024 — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at increasing youth engagement in Ukraine’s recovery and fostering meaningful youth policies that reflect the real needs of young Ukrainians. The signing ceremony, held on 13 December 2024 in Kyiv, featured UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers and Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi. The agreement lays the foundation for joint efforts to implement effective mechanisms enabling young people to become active participants in democratic processes and drivers of change in their communities.

The Memorandum outlines support for student initiatives, strengthening student self-governance bodies, and integrating youth — particularly internally displaced persons, veterans, and people with disabilities — into public life. This initiative aims to empower young people to participate in decision-making processes for their educational institutions and communities. Additionally, the agreement focuses on improving the quality of educational services, developing legal clinics for student practice, creating safe learning environments in war-affected regions, and introducing digital tools to enhance interactions between educational institutions and communities.

Mr Lisovyi underscored the significance of the Memorandum in ensuring more systematic support for Ukrainian youth during the full-scale war. “This collaboration with UNDP will enable us to better address the needs of Ukrainian youth, integrate their perspectives, and create opportunities for their active participation in the country’s recovery,” Lisovyi said. “Our focus is on unlocking the potential of our youth, fostering initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, and nurturing a new generation of leaders capable of transforming their communities and contributing to building democratic Ukraine.”

Mr Cilliers emphasized the pivotal role of youth in Ukraine’s recovery and reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting young people’s potential. “We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Science to create opportunities that empower young people to fully realize their potential,” Cilliers said. “UNDP remains dedicated to initiatives that foster the development of an inclusive, transparent, and accountable society where young people can drive meaningful social change.”

The joint efforts of UNDP and the Ministry of Education and Science aim to establish a sustainable foundation for developing youth policies that reinforce democratic values, enhance leadership skills, and promote youth’s active role in Ukraine’s recovery processes.

Media enquiries

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications, UNDP in Ukraine, yuliia.samus@undp.org