Ukraine’s Future is Its People: UOP Team at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026

Recently, representatives of the Ukrainian Education Platform – Olha Demchyk, Head of the Development Department, and Artem Kostiuchenko, National Partnerships Director attended the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026). This is the year’s premier international event shaping the trajectory of Ukraine's reconstruction.

Alongside government officials, international partners, donors, and business leaders, the UOP team engaged in finding solutions for the sustainable future of our nation. Co-organized by Ukraine and Poland, this year's conference was highly pragmatic, focusing discussions around five key pillars:

Security and Defense: Long-term recovery is impossible without reliable protection and strategic investment in the security sector.

Economic Resilience: A strong focus on the decentralization of the energy grid and critical infrastructure.

The Human Dimension and Social Recovery: Engaging the diaspora, facilitating the return of Ukrainians from abroad, reintegrating veterans, investing in human capital, and leveraging CSO experience to build leadership and capacity at both local and national levels.

Local and Regional Levels: Decentralization remains the cornerstone of recovery, with local communities becoming the primary drivers of change.

The EU Dimension: Driving reforms as the only path forward for European integration.

«Recovery is not just about rebuilding infrastructure; first and foremost, it is about people, inclusivity, and absolute transparency of processes. It is crucial for us to act cohesively and pragmatically to achieve the best possible results», – shared Artem Kostiuchenko.

Children at the Center of Recovery: The Right to Safety and Dreams

The reconstruction of our country begins not merely with new buildings, but with giving every child the opportunity to feel safe, to dream, and to grow. Children must remain at the very heart of Ukraine’s recovery.

This vital topic was the focus of the side event «Dreaming Ukraine: Protecting Children's Right to Dream. Renewing Partnerships Between Communities», held within the framework of URC 2026. The event brought together international partners, government officials, and civil society representatives united by a single goal: creating an environment where every child can enjoy a full childhood and a secure future.

During the event, Olha Demchyk presented one of UOP's cornerstone practices –   «Good Neighbor» (Dobryi Susid), a social cohesion methodology that helps families with children cope with the consequences of war.

Olha Demchyk, Head of the UOP Development Department:

«'Good Neighbor’ is not just a project. It is a system where volunteers become an integral part of child protection. People living nearby are often the first to notice when a family needs support. They help them navigate crises so they don't have to face them alone, preventing social isolation and the institutionalization of children».

Today, Ukrainian children are enduring things no child should ever experience. War steals more than just homes or a sense of safety –  it often robs them of their ability to dream. That is why the joint efforts of the state, international donors, and local organizations must be directed toward restoring children's childhoods, their faith in kindness, and confidence in their future. After all, the most critical investment in Ukraine's recovery is its children.

From Aid Recipients to Changemakers: The Role of Youth

True support for young people is not about empty slogans like «we believe in your potential» — it requires real, hands-on mentorship and partnership. On June 24, Gdansk hosted the official URC 2026 side event «Recovery Generation Youth House», establishing a powerful platform for dialogue between youth leaders, local communities, and international partners.

The spotlight was on youth participation in Ukraine’s recovery, their global role, and the development of intercity partnerships. Youth policy issues were tackled during the panel discussion «From Aid Recipients to Changemakers: Youth at the Center of Ukraine’s Recovery», which featured Olha Demchyk as a keynote speaker.

Olha Demchyk on mentorship and investing in youth:

 «Today’s Ukrainian youth grew up during COVID-19 and full-scale war. Hard times have forged people capable of remarkably unconventional solutions. However, when we just say 'we believe in your potential' and leave it at that without actually engaging them, we are essentially robbing ourselves. Young people can offer solutions that might not be obvious to the rest of us. Providing resources for a first project is a good step. But what comes next? This is where civil society organizations must step up as 'mentor-partners.' We shouldn't do the work for them or take over their ideas. Instead, we need to provide communication support, stand by them through their first rejections, and gradually step back to let them lead independently. This is exactly how youth potential transforms into tangible change»

The recovery of Ukraine is not about what adults build for young people, but what we build together with them.

Uniting Efforts for Maximum Impact

The Ukrainian Educational Platform expresses its deepest gratitude to our international partners for their unwavering support, and to the URC 2026 organizers for providing a stage where the voices of Ukrainian communities, children, and youth could be heard at the highest international level.

There is a long road ahead, and this journey will yield the greatest impact only when our efforts are fully united.