The voice of youth in action: the Mamayivska community hosted the final event of the advocacy campaign “Being heard in the community”

The Mamayivska Village Council hosted the closing event of the advocacy campaign "Voice of Youth: Being Heard in the Community." The event brought together young people, local government officials, civil society organizations, parents, and community residents, who gathered to discuss how to create conditions for the equal participation of every young person in community life.

The event took the form of an open dialogue, which allowed each participant to express themselves and share their ideas. Young people and government representatives discussed how to make local decision-making processes more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all community members.

One of the key decisions of the meeting was to create a youth platform and develop a youth participation strategy that would take into account the diverse needs of young people, including those with disabilities. Recommendations were also developed for the village council to include persons with disabilities in the Barrier-Free Council and other advisory bodies of the community. It was agreed to forward the proposals and findings of the round table to the relevant structural units of the Mamayivka Village Council and to publish them on the official website of the community for the general information of residents.

These decisions were the result of joint work and open discussion, which showed that young people want to participate in community life, influence decision-making, and develop their potential in a barrier-free environment.

The event was an important step towards shaping sustainable youth policy, developing inclusiveness, and strengthening partnerships between local authorities and young citizens.

He laid the foundation for systemic changes that expand the opportunities for every person to exercise their rights and be heard.

Such advocacy campaigns have a much deeper impact than simply discussing youth issues. They shape a new culture of interaction—one based on equality, respect, and dialogue.

When young people participate in decision-making, communities become more dynamic and resilient. Young people feel empowered, initiate change, and get involved in social and volunteer projects, forming the basis for an active society.

At the same time, attention to the needs of young people with disabilities contributes to the creation of an environment that is comfortable for everyone. Barrier-free access is not only about physical accessibility, but also about equal opportunities and the right of everyone to participate in community life. Such approaches help the community become cohesive, open, and fair.

Such meetings also strengthen trust—they show that the authorities and the community can work together, listen to each other, and seek solutions together. As a result, a new model of partnership is formed, in which young people are equal participants in the processes, rather than just a target group for assistance.

Ultimately, such initiatives change public thinking: from “helping” to “creating equal opportunities,” from “engaging young people” to “working together.” And this is the true meaning of inclusive community development.

The event was held as part of an advocacy campaign within the framework of the project "Multisectoral disability-inclusive humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons, returnees, veterans, and host communities in Ukraine," implemented by the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine in partnership with the European Disability Forum (EDF) with the support of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and CBM (Christian Blind Mission).

Oleksandra Perkova, Communications Manager of the Project