Key facts
- An urban education initiative called 'Urban Movement "City is Me"' operates in Ukraine, engaging over 2,000 teenagers in over 50 cities.
- The program teaches young people about urban systems, local governance, and community engagement.
- Participants identify and implement solutions to local challenges, contributing to their cities' development.
- The initiative aims to restore a sense of belonging and agency for Ukrainian youth affected by the war.
- Projects implemented include a historical tourist tram, a therapeutic garden, a restored landmark statue, and an air pollution awareness installation.
An urban education initiative in Ukraine, 'Urban Movement "City is Me"', is working to restore a sense of belonging and agency among teenagers affected by the ongoing conflict. The program, which has engaged over 2,000 young people across more than 50 cities, teaches them about how their cities function, from municipal budgets to local businesses and cultural heritage.
The initiative aims to counteract the significant educational and social losses caused by the war, which has damaged or destroyed over 1,600 educational facilities since February 2022. Millions of Ukrainian children face barriers to education, with many displaced internally or living as refugees abroad, often studying online or facing disruptions to in-person learning.
The program's three-month curriculum is highly interactive, encouraging participants to explore urban systems and governance. A key component involves teams identifying local challenges and developing their own solutions, which are then implemented. This hands-on approach empowers young people to actively improve their communities, fostering a sense of ownership and civic responsibility.
Despite security risks, the program extends to communities near the front lines, offering crucial moments of normalcy and hope. Participants learn essential skills like teamwork, critical thinking, and project management by engaging with local authorities and businesses, learning that change is difficult but possible. The initiative emphasizes that teenagers are current citizens with valid interests, not just a future generation to be postponed.
Projects implemented by the youth include a historical tourist tram in Vinnytsia, a therapeutic garden in Lviv, the restoration of a landmark statue in Lutsk, and an installation raising awareness about air pollution in Zaporizhzhia. These tangible achievements demonstrate the youth's capacity to shape their cities and prevent a generation from being lost to the war by giving them a stake in their communities' rebuilding.