KYIV, Ukraine, 12 June 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ukrainian Youth Foundation (UYF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation for the implementation of youth policy for sustainable recovery of the country, implementation of the National Youth Strategy and adaptation of youth work standards to EU policies.

The Ukrainian Youth Foundation is a state institution established in 2023 to support youth initiatives, provide the necessary financial, information and advisory resources, and create opportunities for youth to be involved in the country's recovery.

UNDP supports youth initiatives aimed at accelerating recovery, and is contributing to the development of the Ukrainian Youth Foundation's capacity as an important institution for strengthening youth policy capacity.

In the framework of the Memorandum, the UYF and UNDP Ukraine will promote youth involvement in decision-making processes, strengthen dialogue between youth and state institutions to implement youth policy, and support training and development initiatives, with a focus on vulnerable groups, including young veterans, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons and young parents. 

Under the Memorandum, efforts will also focus on strengthening the team capacities of the Ukrainian Youth Foundation, as well as promoting transparency and accountability within the institution.

The cooperation also includes support to the UYF to implement the National Youth Strategy until 2030, and adapting youth work standards to meet EU accession criteria in the field of democratic governance. After signing the memorandum, UYF Director Dmytro Tverdokhlib stressed the importance of cooperation with UNDP for strengthening the capacity of the newly created institution.

"We are grateful to UNDP for the significant support already provided for establishing the Ukrainian Youth Foundation. Thanks to our cooperation, we were able to develop a corporate identity and a vision for the communication strategy, and to conduct training on grant administration for the Foundation's staff. Now we are moving on to the next stage of cooperation where, together with UNDP, we plan to implement new initiatives aimed at supporting youth engagement in the recovery process and developing youth projects,’ said Dmytro Tverdokhlib.

Christophoros Politis, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, noted the importance of building effective youth policies and infrastructure to strengthen resilience and ensure Ukraine’s sustainable recovery.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine Christophoros Politis noted the importance of building effective youth policies and engagement infrastructure to strengthen resilience and ensure Ukraine’s sustainable recovery.

“We believe that youth engagement and investing in a participatory ecosystem are essentials for an inclusive recovery and for strengthening Ukraine's resilience,” Politis said after signing the MoU on behalf of UNDP Ukraine. 

“The UNDP is committed to supporting the development and implementation of evidence-based youth policies, strategies, and government activities that foster youth engagement, including the ‘Youth of Ukraine 2026-2030’ State Targeted Social Programme. We’re dedicated to supporting the newly established Ukrainian Youth Foundation, and exploring ways of investing in youth innovative entrepreneurship through providing access to financing.”

Media enquiries: 

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org