Amid war in Kherson, young people find strength in numbers
With the help of UPSHIFT, the three friends decided to establish a safe youth space in a shelter in Kherson, which they named "Steel Youth"
In a city like Kherson, Ukraine, where bombs frequently fall and many spaces for socialization have shuttered, making friends can be difficult – and dangerous.
That is why Maryna, 20, teamed up with her friends Roman and Aelita to join UPSHIFT, a programme under PATHWAYS - UNICEF’s regional initiative aimed at equipping young people in Ukraine with skills, continued education, and training opportunities.
“I know first-hand how limited leisure opportunities in the city are. We searched for courses or training programmes for young people, but there were none available at the time," says Maryna.
With the help of UPSHIFT, the three friends decided to establish a safe youth space in a shelter in Kherson, which they named "Steel Youth". The space quickly became more than just a place for relaxation – it turned into a hub supporting the well-being of young Kherson residents, where they could make new friends, enjoy themselves and spend time productively.
The efforts of Maryna and her team have gained widespread recognition. More than 60 young people have already participated in their events, which include art therapy sessions, workshops, movie screenings and board game nights.
A significant milestone was collaborating with the Kherson Regional State Administration, which endorsed the initiative. This partnership enabled Steel Youth to acquire additional resources for equipping the space and hosting events.
The UPSHIFT team later founded the NGO "Shining of a Boundless Dream" to expand their efforts in the city. The youth space also remains active, with upcoming events including a series of training sessions with a psychologist and a course on how to spot, and avoid spreading, misinformation.
“Through this project, we succeeded in uniting Kherson’s active youth into a strong community,” says Maryna. “It’s a true team of dedicated individuals who want to develop the city, and I’m proud to be part of this process.”
How UPSHIFT empowers youth with tailored educational pathways
UNICEF supports youth-led projects in Ukraine that create opportunities for skills training outside the formal education system. These initiatives focus on transferable skills that are in high demand, enhancing young people's employability and their overall well-being.
To achieve this, UNICEF Ukraine has expanded the UPSHIFT program, a global initiative designed to equip youth with essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and communication, preparing them for entrepreneurship and global citizenship. The program, which utilizes principles from Human-Centered Design, helps secondary school and TVET students turn their ideas into impactful projects.
Over 2,400 young participants in Ukraine have implemented 540 community-driven initiatives, benefiting 97,000 people through STEM education, mental health, inclusion, and WASH programmes. A special UPSHIFT wave in Odesa, one of the largest cities in the south, included ethnic minority youth, including Roma, who created a storybook celebrating Roma culture and inclusion. A project in Kherson helped young people to make friends, socialize, and find meaningful ways to support their communities. And an initiative in Hlukhiv, located in Ukraine’s Sumska region, which has experienced intense fighting and shelling, brought young people together for an environmental project focused on protecting nature.
