On July 21, the Youth Forum titled «Youth Forum of Odesa: New Perspectives for 2025-2028» took place in Odesa. This event gathered young activists, government representatives, experts, and international partners to analyze the challenges facing today’s youth.

Among the speakers were: former head of the Odesa Regional State Administration and Honorary Citizen of Odesa Serhiy Hrynevetskyi, head of UNICEF programs in Ukraine Volodymyr Tsololo, head of grant programs at the Ukrainian Youth Fund Vitalii Kryzhanivskyi, and Odesa City Council member Oleg Etnarovych.

Participants explored practical solutions that could form the foundation of youth policy in Odesa:

• How to engage youth in decision-making processes?
• How to provide access to necessary resources?
• How to protect youth rights in wartime?
• What barriers exist for youth and how to overcome them?

Odesa's Deputy Mayor Pavlo Vuhielman emphasized that youth are not just the future but a significant resource today.

«We must do everything possible to unlock their potential, as an active youth means a strong Odesa,» he stated.

The forum was organized with the support of UNICEF Ukraine, the Youth Council under the Odesa City Mayor, the NGO «Youth Organization LIGHT», and the Lavandia space.