UNICEF Ukraine Young People Advisory Board
2023—2025
- Українська
- English
Children and young people have the right to be heard and be involved in decisions that affect them and their rights.
UNICEF Ukraine established its Young People Advisory Board to help ensure that young people in Ukraine are heard by UNICEF and partners, and that their views, ideas and opinions are taken into consideration in the planning and implementation of programmes.
The UNICEF Ukraine Young People Advisory Board aims to:
- Increase UNICEF’s accountability to young people
- Support young people’s leadership and build their skills to improve their understanding and opportunities of influence and participation in the Humanitarian Response and Early Recovery
- Increase programmatic relevance and credibility of UNICEF’s work with and for young people across all aspects of UNICEF’s mandate
- Create opportunities for vulnerable young people with lived experiences to co-design programmatic response and policies benefitting themselves and their peers
UNICEF Ukraine Young People Advisory Board 2023-2025
YPAB members are leaders in their own communities. They use their knowledge, skills, and voices to advocate for the rights of children and young people. They inspire their peers to take action and contribute to meaningful changes in society, helping build a better future for every child in Ukraine.
Members of the YPAB
- From Zaporizhzhia.
- Psychologist.
- Volunteer in the Charity organization "Kateryna Osadcha Foundation"
- Volunteer as a peer-to-peer counselor, providing free psychological support to teenagers and coordinates peer-to-peer counselors work at Teenergizer.
- Oleksandra loves reading, listening and recording podcasts and working with the topic of mental health development in Ukraine.
- From Oleksandriya, Kropyvnytskyi region.
- Studying international law at the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University
- Member of the Oleksandriya Youth Parliament and Organization “Oleksandriya Youth”, communication manager of the youth space.
- Taking part in UPSHIFT program.
- Interested in environmental initiatives.
- From Dnipro.
- Studying Law in Dnipro National University named after Oles Honchar.
- Polina loves reading, drawing pictures by numbers and going to the gym.
- Lawyer at the Charitable Fund “Right to Protection”.
- Acting Secretary of the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University Student Council.
- From a small village in Ternopil oblast.
- Student at the United World College Maastricht, Netherlands.
- Active volunteer and youth activist.
- Young European Ambassador in Ukraine.
- The participant of the UPSHIFT programme.
- Ambassador at DIYMO.
- Viktoriia has a knack for studying foreign languages and writing literary works, and she is also a vocalist and a true traveler.
- From Petropavlivka, Dnipropetrovsk region.
- Studying physics and astronomy at the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
- Was head of the Center for Children's Initiatives of her lyceum.
- Founder of the projects "Plekayou" (it's about social tutoring), and "UkraineSpaceTechnology“.
- Diana is fascinated by space, specifically astrophysics.
- From Kharkiv, now in Kyiv.
- Studying political science at the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University.
- Sofia was a trainee paralegal at the law firm Robinson Patman, where she was focused on helping cultural heritage affected by the russian invasion. Such as National Literary and Memorial Museum of H.S. Skovoroda, the Chernihiv Regional Organisation of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, the Okhtyrka City Museum of Local Lore, and others.
- Takes part in volunteer programmes of Uanimals.
- Ambassador at DIYMO
- From Vinnytsia, lives in Kyiv.
- Studying international law at Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations KNU.
- Anna loves learning foreign languages, creating videos and writing articles
- Secretary of the UNICEF Ukraine Young People Advisory Board
- Member of the UNICEF Regional Co-Creators Group for Europe and Central Asia
- Works for a human rights organisation
- From Lysychansk, lives in Rivne.
- Studying medicine at Luhansk State Medical University.
- Working part time as laboratory assistant at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Founded project "On female matters", where women learn about breast and cervical cancer and acquire the skills of self-examination of MH on a simulator.
- Co-founder of the project “Students Guardians: HPV free Ukraine
- From a small village in Odesa oblast, currently lives in Odesa.
- Maria`s team is engaged in spreading Ukrainian culture and showing Ukrainians the cultures of national minorities.
- Youth worker and mentor of the UPSHIFT programme.
- Ambassador at DIYMO
- Сonstantly in between Ivano-Frankivsk and Kyiv.
- Studying marketing in Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
- Product marketing manager
- Participant of the UPSHIFT programme.
- Youth advocate for sustainable development, restoration of Ukraine and just peace; youth delegate to YAML, UNGA79, Summit of the Future Action Days.
- Organizer of LCOY 2024 and 2025.
- Youth advisor to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
- From tiny town in Kyiv oblast, lives in Kyiv.
- Studying psychology in Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University.
- Peer consultant in Teenergizer, where she provides psychological support for young people.
- Graduated from Lunds University.
- Member of research team in the faculty.
- Started her neuropsychological blog, where she describes difficult things by simple words.
- Participant of the UPSHIFT programme.
- From Kyiv.
- Studying law at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
- Legal researcher at the NGO “Global Rights Compliance”, which assists in the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine.
- Member of the Youth Council under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, member of the Kyiv City Youth Council (2023-2024).
- Student volunteer, buddy, member of ELSA Kyiv and the European Youth Parliament.
- Co-organizer of the first Local Youth Conference in Ukraine (LCOY Ukraine 2024).
- Delegate to the UNWTO GYTS 2022 and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28 and COP29).
- From Kryvyi Rih, living in Khmelnytskyi region.
- Studying Public Administration and Management at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
- Studying Political Science at Ivan Ohienko National University of Kamianets-Podilskyi.
- Headed the Youth Council of the city and the committee for the development of the youth environment.
- From Inhulets, lives in Chernivtsi.
- Obtained a master's degree in Political Science from Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University.
- Member of the All-Ukrainian Youth Public Organization “Foundation of Regional Initiatives”.
- Project Manager at the NGO Chernivtsi Association "Zakhist".
- Trainer in fundraising, accessibility and inclusion.
- From little town Babai, Kharkiv region.
- Studied in Missouri, USA as an exchange student as a FLEX finalist.
- Studying Ethics-Politics-Economics at the Ukrainian Catholic University.
- Member of the leadership team of the European Youth Ambassadors initiative in Ukraine.
- Spent a year in Missouri, USA, as a finalist of the Future Leaders Exchange Programme.
“My experience in the UNICEF Young People Advisory Board was, above all, about trust, support, and real impact.
What I value most is that we worked as a true consultative and advisory body and were actively involved in discussions of key UNICEF documents. One of the highlights was participating in the UN Climate Conference – COP29.
As a student of international relations, this was a unique opportunity to gain insight into global diplomacy and the role of young people in addressing climate change. Thanks to the YPAB, I also had my first appearance on television.
Most importantly, however, it is about the people and the support of the UNICEF team. Even after my term ended, our connection has remained strong: I continue to be invited to events and engaged in various activities. There is a lasting sense of being part of a supportive and well-connected community.”
“Community. Opportunities. Youth. This is how I describe my experience in the UNICEF Young People Advisory Board. It helped me grow professionally and explore new areas of development – particularly in climate policy, following my participation in both international and national climate conferences. Before this, I could hardly imagine being so engaged in issues of climate change and environmental protection.
The Young People Advisory Board demonstrates that youth policy spans a wide range of areas – from vaccination and mental health to gender equality, social entrepreneurship, and family support. It is a space where young people can realize their potential and bring their own initiatives to life.”
“The Young People Advisory Board became a space for me to grow, learn, and meaningfully contribute to the work of UNICEF in Ukraine. I was involved in organizing events and started working in the field of sustainable development. A particularly memorable experience for me was participating in the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, where I represented Ukraine and advocated for the interests of our youth.
The UNICEF Young People Advisory Board creates opportunities for everyone. Together with U-Report, we conducted a survey and organized the first Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) in Ukraine – a youth-led conference aimed at engaging young people in climate action, sustainable development, and environmental protection.
The UNICEF Young People Advisory Board is a community of young leaders who advance women's rights, inclusion, affordable healthcare, climate justice and community development – the list goes on.”
“I study international law, so participating in the UNICEF Young People Advisory Board gave me the opportunity to contribute to discussions on the organization’s initiatives and plans from a youth perspective. One of the most meaningful experiences was collaborating with the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, where I represented Ukrainian youth at the international level and spoke about the challenges of living through war.
I warmly encourage young people to join the YPAB. It is a valuable opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and amplify the voice of Ukrainian youth.”
“Participating in the UNICEF Young People Advisory Board was an important stage in my professional and leadership growth. It is a space where youth participation translates into real impact on policies and programmes.
Key experiences include organizing a roundtable with the Odesa Regional State Administration for World Children’s Day, mentoring teams in the UPSHIFT programme, and taking part in the opening of the U-Point youth space.
My experience in the YPAB also helped me join the Youth Council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. It gave me the confidence that young people can be co-creators of decisions and drivers of systemic change in Ukraine.”
“The UNICEF Young People Advisory Board came into my life when I returned to Ukraine after two years abroad. It felt especially symbolic that, during my very first week back home in the Kharkiv region, I joined its founding meeting.
During our term, we contributed to shaping UNICEF Ukraine’s five-year strategy, participated in programme monitoring, and analyzed U-Report survey data. I also witnessed how the organization operates in wartime conditions, particularly in the Kharkiv region near the front line.
Among the most meaningful experiences were participating in the Mental Health Forum as part of First Lady Olena Zelenska’s “How are you?” initiative, and the Children’s Forum in Ankara, where I spoke about the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. I also joined the Global Girl Leadership Advisory Group at UNICEF Headquarters and represented Ukraine at the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York.
The Youth Council was a truly formative experience for me. It not only helped me readjust after returning home, but also gave me a strong sense of belonging.”
“Participating in the UNICEF Young People Advisory Board was both a meaningful and transformative experience for me, as well as a practical contribution to building a country where young people are drivers of change.
I was involved in UNICEF’s national programme in Ukraine and in evaluating emergency response efforts, which has helped me better understand the role of youth in inclusive and sustainable recovery.
I also took part in initiatives under the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY), part of the global YOUNGO movement – the official youth constituency of the United Nations on climate issues – and collaborated with the DiyMo office at the Ministry of Social Policy. This experience has greatly motivated my continued volunteering and community engagement, and has shown that regardless of where we come from – in my case, a remote rural region – young people can influence national processes and realize their full potential.”
“The UNICEF Young People Advisory Board became a space for my personal and professional growth. Over the past two years, I have received incredible support from a community that believes in my ideas and has equipped me with the tools to bring my own initiatives to life.
I took part in major national events across Ukraine. For example, in the summer of 2024, I developed and delivered a training on human-centered design at the Ukrainian Youth Forum, and later contributed to developing the hackathon programme for the first LCOY in Ukraine.
Participation in the YPAB taught me to be brave, open to the world, and confident in myself and in the future of Ukraine.”
“During my tenure in the UNICEF Young People Advisory Board, I met incredible people – fellow youth advisors, friends, and future partners. Among them were Masha Efrosynina and the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, as well as many motivated leaders who inspire me to continue growing.
I also took part in the opening of the exhibition “War Diaries: Unheard Voices of Ukrainian People”, where I shared my personal story, and participated in events dedicated to the development of youth councils.”