Youth Forum: Shaping the Future of Odessa
On July 21, the youth development forum titled «Odessa Youth - 2025-2028» took place in Odessa. Young leaders, government representatives, experts, and international partners gathered to discuss pressing issues faced by today's youth.
Among the speakers were former head of the Odessa Regional State Administration, Sergey Grinevetsky, UNICEF Ukraine Program Manager Volodymyr Tsololo, grant program expert Vitaliy Kryzhanivskyi, and Odessa City Council member Oleg Etnarovych.
Participants were seeking tangible solutions for youth policy in Odessa:
- How to engage youth in decision-making processes?
- How to ensure access to resources and support?
- How to protect rights in wartime conditions?
- What obstacles do youth face and how can they be overcome?
Deputy Mayor of Odessa Pavlo Vugelman emphasized that youth is not just the future but a powerful resource today.
«We must do everything possible to unlock the potential of youth, as active youth means a stronger Odessa,» he noted.
The forum was supported by UNICEF in Ukraine, the Youth Council under the Odessa Mayor, the NGO «LIGHT Youth Organization», and the Lavandia space.
