Empowering Youth in Humanitarian Action in Ukraine

Lessons Learned and Pathways Forward

Now I see a sense in it for myself: to do something
to overcome the effects of the war”

woman, 17 y.o., research participant

Methodology

● The study examines youth engagement in humanitarian action in Ukraine post-2022 full-scale Russian invasion.● Focuses on how young people contribute to humanitarian efforts, their motivations, challenges, and impact.● Conducted from September to December 2024 by Open Space Works Ukraine and NGO “Kyiv Educational Center Tolerspace.” and supported by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA).● Involves literature review, interviews, and participatory workshops with youth and humanitarian organizations.

Data Collection

● Desk review of 5 think tank reports, 6 INGO reports, 3 statistical bulletins, legal documents, and 2 public opinion studies.● 40 key informant interviews (KIIs):- 20 young people (14-24 years old) involved in humanitarian activities.- 20 representatives from organizations implementing youth initiatives.● Participatory workshops for two age groups (14-18 and 19-24) using creative methods to identify engagement barriers and solutions.

Analysis Methods

● MAXQDA software used for systematic coding and thematic analysis of interview transcripts.● Thematic analysis applied to workshop outputs to identify barriers, enablers, and recommended solutions.

Interview Sampling

● Geographic diversity: safe zones, frontline, and de-occupied areas.● Participants included both local and displaced youth.● Organizations included 9 national NGOs, 5 international organizations, and 6 local NGOs from various Ukrainian regions.

Study Limitations

● Parental consent for underage participants may have limited representation.● Findings are indicative rather than fully representative due to sampling constraints.● Ongoing security challenges prevented comprehensive coverage of all conflict-affected regions.● Data collection provides a snapshot rather than a longitudinal analysis of youth engagement trends.

Research Team

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Natalia Harasivka

Research Lead
Open Space Works Ukraine

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Maryana Zaviyska

Co-author
Open Space Works Ukraine

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Svitlana Zuieva 

Data collection and engagement 
Open Space Works Ukraine


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Oleh Ovcharenko

Facilitator of the participatory workshops and data collection 
Open Space Works Ukraine


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Anna Lenchovska

Youth engagement consultant and facilitator
of the participatory workshops
NGO «Kyiv educational center «Tolerspace»


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Myroslav Grinberg

Facilitator of the participatory workshop for 14 - 17 y.o.,
NGO «Kyiv educational center «Tolerspace»


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Olexander Voitenko

Facilitator of the participatory workshop for 18 - 22 y.o. 
NGO «Kyiv educational center «Tolerspace»


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Valerii Tsotsur

participant manager for the workshops.
NGO «Kyiv educational center «Tolerspace»


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Izzy Quilter

Support and oversight
Humanitarian Leadership Academy


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Po Sidelnikova, 16 y.o.

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Upcoming opportunities

Presentation of the report in the UK

Join us and fellow researchers to discuss this ad other reports designed and led by local researchers from Poland, Ukraine, Turkiye, and Syria!
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 (𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆)𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: 𝟮𝟳 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, 𝟬𝟵:𝟯𝟬 – 𝟭𝟳:𝟬𝟬
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 and registration: https://lnkd.in/eStKT-dp

Partners

The project has been carried out in collaboration with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy that is part of Save the Children. This report has been funded by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) within the Sustainable Humanitarian Innovation for Transformation programme (SHIFT) run by the Humanitarian Leadership Academy and partners in the region.

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