On August 18, the Ukrainian Youth Forum in Romania took place in Bucharest, bringing together around 70 young Ukrainians, representatives of civil society organizations, businesses, and youth initiatives.
We also took part in the forum to present the opportunities offered by the National Youth Foundation, connect with Ukrainian young people, and better understand the current needs of the community.
Throughout the day, participants discussed issues that are important for young Ukrainians in Romania, including education, employment, integration, preserving Ukrainian identity, and the future of young people. Special attention was given to opportunities for personal and professional development, such as Erasmus+, internships, volunteering, and other international and youth programmes.
One of the important parts of the forum was the facilitated “Youth Voice” session. Its purpose was not simply to give young people the opportunity to listen to speakers, but to create a space for open dialogue. Participants could share their own experiences, talk about the challenges they face, discuss issues affecting Ukrainian youth in Romania, and suggest their own ideas for addressing them.
For us, taking part in the forum was an opportunity to speak directly with young Ukrainians in Bucharest, learn more about their experiences, and present the activities and opportunities offered by the National Youth Foundation. Events like this help us better understand the needs of young people and find new ways to support them, promote integration, and encourage their participation in youth life.
The forum also provided a space for making new connections and building cooperation between different organizations and initiatives. During the event, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Embassy of Ukraine in Romania and the Association of Ukrainian Youth in Romania (ATUR), aimed at strengthening future cooperation and creating new opportunities for Ukrainian youth.
The Ukrainian Youth Forum was organized by the Association of Ukrainian Youth in Romania (ATUR), with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in Romania, the International Charitable Foundation “You Create the Nation,” and media partner RFI Ukrainian.
For us, participating in such events is not only an opportunity to present our programmes and activities, but also to be part of the Ukrainian youth community in Romania. We are happy to contribute to spaces where young people can speak about their needs, exchange experiences, meet like-minded people, and create new opportunities together.