This project, led by Fundația Națională pentru Tineret (FNT) in partnership with LOGOS, STELLA, CSCE, aims to support young Ukrainian refugees through structured volunteering, education, and community engagement activities. Rooted in the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) priorities, the initiative enhances social inclusion, cultural exchange, and economic empowerment while strengthening community resilience and youth-led civic action.
The project directly responds to the urgent needs of young refugees, addressing language barriers, social isolation, and skill development gaps. Through non-formal education, mentoring, and intercultural experiences, it provides practical learning opportunities, increasing employability and long-term integration prospects. Key activities include:
-Language learning and cultural integration sessions for 600+ young refugees.
-Volunteer-driven social support and mentoring, empowering youth through engagement.
-Capacity-building workshops enhancing refugee resilience and civic participation.
-Community-based events and public outreach, fostering solidarity at local and European levels.
By mobilizing international and local volunteers, the project reaches over 3,320 direct beneficiaries, with thousands more indirectly impacted through media campaigns, advocacy, and policy dissemination. The initiative also serves as a scalable model for youth-led refugee integration programs across Europe.
Aligned with ESC’s mission of solidarity and youth empowerment, this project bridges communities, fosters intercultural understanding, and equips young people with the tools to rebuild their futures.
Voices Around the Table: Our Fifth Public Café with Young Ukrainians in Bucharest
As part of the “Pathways to Belonging” project, we continued our series of Public Café consultations with young Ukrainians in Bucharest. The fifth session once again brought young people together to openly discuss their experiences of living abroad, the challenges…
Voices Around the Table: Our Fourth Public Café with Young Ukrainians in Bucharest
As part of the “Pathways to Belonging” project, we continued our series of Public Café consultations with young Ukrainians in Bucharest. The fourth session created another open space where young people could share their experiences, challenges, ideas, and hopes for…
Wings of Ukraine: Celebrating Independence Day Through Talent and Solidarity
On 24 August, THE YOUTH by FNT in Bucharest opened its doors to a day full of talent, hope, and community. To mark Ukraine’s Independence Day, we had the honour of hosting “Wings of Ukraine,” a talent concert organised by MALVA – Ukrainian Community Based…
Celebrating International Youth Day at THE YOUTH: A Day of Ideas, Connection, and Community
On 12 August, THE YOUTH by FNT in Bucharest came alive to celebrate International Youth Day, a day dedicated to the energy, creativity, and potential of young people. Under this year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the afternoon brought together…
Luana’s Voice: How We Built a Community from the Ground Up
Volunteering at the National Youth Foundation was a deeply real and impactful experience for me. What I loved and appreciated most right from the start was that I wasn’t treated as a simple observer. In many experiences, volunteers are often left sitting on the…
Voices Around the Table: Our Third Public Café with Young Ukrainians in Bucharest
On 23 June, twenty-one young Ukrainians gathered at The Youth in Bucharest for the third consultation in a series we have been running to better understand their experiences of living, studying, and building a future in Romania. This time, we used the Public Café…
Andrei’s Digital Journey: Creativity, Community, and Growth Through the ESC
When I first joined the European Solidarity Corps project with the National Youth Foundation, I didn’t fully realize how much an ecosystem dedicated to youth could stretch my creative boundaries. Beyond the administrative frameworks, what I discovered was a living,…
Anastasiia’s Path to Belonging: Two Months of Growth, friendship, and Solidarity
When I first joined the European Solidarity Corps project “Pathways to Belonging” at the National Youth Foundation,…
Alina and the Joy of Making a Difference: A Volunteering Story
Volunteering at the National Youth Foundation became a true milestone in my personal and professional development. From the very first days, I immersed myself in a vibrant, dynamic environment where I truly learned what it takes to build a community from the ground…
More Than a Volunteer Project: Robert’s Unexpected Path
My experience volunteering at the National Youth Foundation started quite randomly, hearing about this opportunity from a friend of a friend. As a person who was familiar with the field of communication, copywriting, and social media management, the personal challenge…