On 27 May 2025, Ukrainian teams participated in a consultation about border life, cooperation, and rebuilding education during wartime. The discussion revealed how proximity to different borders shapes daily experiences and how young people envision Ukraine’s future through resilience and collaboration.
Teams agreed that everything depends on what border you live at. If it is a friendly country, living near the border generally brings benefits—including easier travel, cultural exchange, and access to cross-border opportunities. However, living near an aggressive country was described as a risk, since security and stability can change overnight, and people often live in fear of unpredictable events.
When identifying priority areas for cooperation, participants pointed to the army, infrastructure, and culture. They emphasized that stronger cooperation in defense is crucial for protecting Ukraine, while infrastructure development is needed to modernize transport, communication, and public services. At the same time, cultural cooperation was seen as a way to preserve identity and strengthen ties with European neighbors.
Teams chose to discuss Interreg Danube, which they found interesting and useful for Ukraine. They appreciated the program’s focus on regional connectivity, sustainable growth, and cross-border collaboration, recognizing its potential to support Ukraine’s long-term recovery and European integration.
When discussing current challenges, all teams agreed that the war remains the biggest obstacle, alongside local issuessuch as weaknesses in transportation systems and political instability. These factors were seen as barriers that limit cooperation and slow down progress at both national and local levels.
Finally, students turned their attention to their own school environment, proposing a project to rebuild their school building according to EU standards and improve the education system overall. They saw this as a meaningful starting point for connecting European values and quality standards with the Ukrainian education system—an example of how cooperation can begin locally and grow into lasting change.