On 3 May 2025, young people from Ukraine participated in a consultation focused on identifying key priorities for cooperation and imagining projects that could strengthen their communities and regional development. While the discussion did not address all standard questions, participants shared a wide range of creative and socially conscious ideas reflecting their commitment to inclusion, education, and sustainable growth.
When discussing local cooperation priorities, participants identified several urgent topics:
- Urbanism and the need to stop the demographic crisis by improving living conditions and creating opportunities for young people to stay and contribute locally;
- Inclusion and language learning to build unity and communication across communities;
- Promoting reading, especially among young people, to support education and cultural growth;
- Waste management, with a focus on garbage sorting and recycling;
- Stray animal care, including vaccination, sterilization, and proper documentation for pets and shelter animals;
- and youth policy, aimed at increasing youth participation and engagement in civic life.
Although specific Interreg projects were not discussed, the group proposed several imaginative cooperation projectsthat reflect their vision for Ukraine’s development and integration with Europe. Among these were:
- Intercultural research initiatives to foster consensus and social cohesion among different countries;
- Programs to promote reading in native languages for Ukrainian refugees in Europe, helping them maintain cultural identity abroad;
- Projects to preserve endangered languages, through publishing initiatives and language clubs;
- Support systems for freelancers to reduce brain drain and create economic stability;
- Motorsport development as an innovative way to engage youth and drive regional visibility;
- and First Aid awareness campaigns, focused on critical response training and community preparedness.
A particularly ambitious idea presented was the creation of International Industrial Parks in the Danube Region, designed to create jobs, address economic challenges, and enhance cohesion across countries.
The consultation reflected a shared belief among participants that cultural understanding, education, and inclusive development are key to Ukraine’s future—and that cooperation must begin with unity in diversity, language, and shared purpose.