Ukraine’s recovery and opportunities for young people: EU4Youth hosts major event in Kyiv on social entrepreneurship

On 23 September, Kyiv, Ukraine, hosted the event ‘Thematic Discourses: Strengthening Communities and the Role of Social Entrepreneurship’, as part of the ‘EU4Youth: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship’ programme, supported by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania. The event brought together more than 70 participants – representatives of the Government of Ukraine, the EU Delegation to Ukraine, the diplomatic corps, civil society organisations, educators, and social entrepreneurs. 

The event became a unique platform for sharing experiences and discussing how social entrepreneurship can become an important resource for the country’s recovery. It showcased how the programme creates conditions for young people in Ukraine to stay in the country, access quality education, employment opportunities, and start their own businesses.

“EU4Youth: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship” programme has significantly strengthened the opportunities for Ukrainian youth by combining education, social entrepreneurship, and mental health support, creating conditions for young people to have prospects to stay and work at home”, said Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvii Bidnyi in his welcoming speech.

In 2024–2025, more than twenty new social enterprises were launched in Ukraine with the support of the EU4Youth programme – ranging from print shops and photo studios to kindergartens and research laboratories. Ten of these enterprises were founded by veterans and internally displaced people. Beyond creating jobs for young people, these enterprises also address social and environmental challenges of their communities.  

Significant progress has also been achieved in the area of social inclusion. A total of 370 young professionals in psychology, pedagogy, and social work received specialised training, and 82 of them are already employed as personal assistants for persons with disabilities. At the same time, trauma-informed approaches are gradually being introduced into Ukraine’s education system, helping to build an inclusive learning environment and provide support for children and young people affected by the war.

International partners highlighted the practical focus of such projects, stressing that they represent an investment not only in the economy but also in the resilience of society.

“Lithuania continues to support a wide range of education projects in Ukraine – from capacity building to hard infrastructure programmes such as reconstruction of schools, kindergartens, dual-use underground shelters and rehabilitation hospitals across the country,” said Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Lithuania to Ukraine. “Four years ago, Lithuania joined the European Union in co-funding the EU4Youth programme. The goal was simple: to give young people in different countries the chance to take initiative, strengthen their communities, and gain the tools they need to succeed in the labour market. For us, supporting Ukraine’s children and youth has always been essential, as without them, there can be no real recovery-and no future worth building.”

Austėja Vilkelytė, CPVA Deputy Head of International Development Cooperation Project Division, emphasised the long-term impact of the EU4Youth programme for Ukraine on Ukrainian society:

“EU4Youth is more than a set of individual projects – it is a long-term investment in Ukraine’s future. By supporting young entrepreneurs, veterans, and internally displaced people, the programme empowers communities to create solutions that are both socially impactful and economically sustainable. We are helping to address today’s urgent needs while at the same time building the foundations of tomorrow’s economy and a more resilient society”.

The Kyiv event demonstrated that the EU4Youth programme is not only about implementing projects but also about creating a space for dialogue between state institutions, communities, and international partners. Such gatherings enable the sharing of experiences, the dissemination of successful practices, and their scaling up across Ukraine’s regions.

“The EU commitments go beyond emergency aid – we are helping Ukraine recover in many areas, from rebuilding infrastructure and stabilising the economy to supporting communities and institutions,” said Henrik Huitfeldt, Head of Section for Public Finance, Business Support, and Social Policies at the EU Delegation to Ukraine. “For young people, as for the whole of society, living through war is challenging and affects many aspects of daily life and well-being. Yet life goes on, and young people need support to release their potential, contribute to their communities, and build their future. That is why the EU invests in youth through education, skills, entrepreneurship, and programmes like EU4Youth, which also provide psychological support, promote social inclusion, and engage young veterans in building new opportunities for themselves and their communities.”

The EU4Youth Phase III Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship programme, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, is being executed by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) in Eastern Partnership countries. These include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The programme will run until the middle of 2026 and aims to provide technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organisations to tackle youth unemployment and improve employability.

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