The Council of Europe and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine have signed a five-year Framework Programme for cooperation in the field of youth policy (2026-30). The programme builds upon the achievements of previous cooperation cycles and reaffirms the priority given to support for Ukraine in the field of youth. This commitment was expressed in the final declaration of the 10th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for youth that took place in Malta in October 2025.
What the Ukraine youth cooperation programme involves
The programme addresses cross-cutting priorities during war and in post-war recovery, including creating barrier-free environments, building resilience amongst war-affected youth, fostering belonging to Ukrainian and European communities, and supporting reintegration of displaced persons, young military personnel, and veterans.
It focuses on promoting education for democratic citizenship and human-rights education, strengthening youth work through implementation of the national "youth specialist (youth worker)" professional standard, and enhancing civic engagement by supporting youth centres and diverse youth organisations.
Lviv: Europe's youth capital 2025
The signing ceremony took place during the Council of Europe Youth sector delegation's visit to Ukraine as part of the closing programme of the Lviv-European youth capital 2025 initiative. The delegation included representatives from the Joint Council on youth, the European Youth Forum. Prior to the signing, a roundtable discussion on youth perspectives in Ukrainian recovery convened youth workers, stakeholders, and organisational representatives. The closing programme also included the opening of the exhibition "Tales of the Brave" presenting 15 youth projects funded by the European Youth Foundation. The exhibition, previously hosted by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, showcases the creativity and resilience of young people of Ukraine, who turn adversity into action and solidarity amid the ongoing war.
Lviv-European youth capital 2025: a call for European solidarity and support for Ukraine
The Council of Europe and youth
