Deadline: 17-Aug-2025
UNICEF is accepting applications for a program that aims to empower young people in the Kharkiv Region of Ukraine, focusing on life skills, employability, and civic engagement. The program responds to the profound impact of the war on adolescents and youth, especially in frontline communities such as Balakliia, Chuhuiv, Kehychivka, Pisochyn, and Valky, where youth centers remain active despite ongoing challenges.
The region has over 520,000 internally displaced persons, including many adolescents, who face barriers to education, mental health support, and civic participation. The situation has worsened due to years of disrupted learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war. Youth centers, supported by UNICEF, have become safe spaces for learning, social interaction, and civic engagement.
This initiative builds on previous efforts, expanding its focus to include employability, entrepreneurship, and green skills. The program seeks to close the gap between youth competencies and labor market demands by linking education, vocational training, and employment pathways. It aligns with Ukraine’s national recovery plan and includes training in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable construction, and circular economy practices.
The program will be implemented by a civil society organization across five communities in the region. It will adopt an inclusive approach, prioritizing internally displaced youth, those with disabilities, care leavers, and marginalized groups. The goal is to improve life, digital, financial, and green skills among youth aged 14–24 and strengthen their economic and civic participation.
A key component is a regional labor market assessment to understand youth employment challenges and guide program design. Structured training will be provided on essential skills and green competencies. The program will also support internships, entrepreneurship, and youth-led innovation through mentorship, business coaching, and micro-grants.
To foster civic engagement, youth councils will be activated to promote leadership and volunteering. These councils will also organize joint initiatives with local government to support community recovery. Mental health support will be integrated through psychosocial sessions and trained facilitators.
The initiative will also build partnerships with local employers, the State Employment Service, and educational institutions to create clear pathways from training to employment. Public employment services will be embedded within youth centers to provide access to job data and re-skilling opportunities.
Expected outcomes include a completed labor market assessment, skills training for at least 600 youth, internships for 150 participants, and the launch of 20 youth-led projects. The program also targets participation of 1,000 youth in civic initiatives, 250 in green volunteering, and 300 in career mentorship activities. Additionally, it aims to boost youth entrepreneurship and strengthen inter-community youth council exchanges.
Eligible applicants must be officially registered Ukrainian civil society organizations with at least three years of experience in youth-focused programming. They must have managed donor-funded projects worth over USD 500,000 and have relevant experience in the Kharkiv Region. Familiarity with the HACT reporting framework is also an advantage.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
