Gaining skills today, leading change tomorrow

When Karyna fled the war in Ukraine in March 2022 with her younger sister, she arrived in Poland not just with uncertainty about her new life, but with questions about her future. Like many others her age, she was grappling with what to study, which path to choose, and what possibilities lay ahead. 

At just 17, she also stepped into a new role – becoming her sister’s main support as they navigated an unfamiliar reality together. “I felt like I had to be the adult,” she recalls. “We went through everything together. Now, I cannot imagine my life without her.”

Now 21, Karyna has begun to answer many of these questions, also by helping shape programmes that support young refugees in Poland facing similar challenges to her own. 

Then, through her university, she became familiar with Mapa Karier UA, a programme implemented by the Katalyst Education Foundation in partnership with UNICEF’s Refugee Response Office in Poland, which connects refugee youth with internships. In a workshop through Mapa Karier UA, she was introduced to a tool designed to help young people understand their strengths, explore career paths, and access opportunities.

“I learnt that diverse experiences – even challenges – can be a value, both for life and for the future job,” Karyna reflects. 

Through the Futureship project, a part of Mapa Karier UA, Karyna learned about an internship with UNICEF and applied. She prepared carefully for the interview but left feeling uncertain. Assuming the worst, she continued applying elsewhere – and then received an offer.

“Futureship was created to open meaningful pathways from education to employment,” says Izabela Przybysz, General Manager at the Katalyst Education Foundation. “We wanted every young person’s first step into work to be fair, legal, paid, safe, and full of possibility – it gives them a real chance to discover their strengths, build confidence, and see that they have a place in the labour market. At the same time, Futureship connects employers with motivated young talent who bring fresh perspectives and can add value to any workplace.”

In her internship, Karyna supported UNICEF programmes in adolescent development and education, including non-formal learning, mental health and psychosocial support, and initiatives promoting inclusive education and preventing bullying.

These are not abstract issues to her.

“When my sister started school, she experienced bullying,” Karyna says. “It showed me how important it is for children to feel safe and supported.”

Karyna’s passion for youth engagement extends beyond her internship. Last year, she founded a student initiative bringing together young people from different backgrounds through debates, discussions, and joint activities – creating a space for dialogue and connection that many of her peers said they were missing. Today, the group organizes conferences, discussions, and institutional visits, helping young people learn from one another and build a sense of belonging.

For UNICEF, engaging young people like Karyna is essential to ensuring programmes are relevant and effective. Their perspectives help shape solutions that truly respond to the realities their peers face.

At the same time, initiatives like Futureship demonstrate something equally important: when young people are given the opportunity to contribute, the impact goes beyond the individual. Across sectors – including private companies – organizations gain fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a deeper understanding of diverse communities, while young people build confidence, skills, and a sense of purpose.

“Not everyone can do it alone,” Karyna says. “What adults do – how they guide us – really matters. Sometimes, all it takes is one small spark to start a domino of positive changes.”