The idea of establishing a Youth Council in the Malolyubashanska municipality has been growing for a long time, but it was implemented thanks to the participation of the municipality in the “Establishment of Youth Councils in Municipalities” U-LEAD Programme. Since May 2024, together with U-LEAD experts, the municipality has been moving step by step to establish a youth council. Ivan Stepaniuk, the Head of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Malolyubashanska Village Council, said:
“Our municipality consists of 11 villages, and young people have various needs and demands. We wanted to create a space where their voices would be heard. The Youth Council should become a platform where young people can implement their own ideas and become a driving force for municipality development.”
Mykhailo Shelep, the decentralisation and local self-government adviser of the local U-LEAD with Europe Regional Office, noted that the purpose of the support programme was to help small municipalities establish effective youth councils.
He said that the programme included four months of training for representatives of municipality’s youth and local self-government bodies. They took part in trainings, workshops and consultations prepared by experts, and completed their training with a youth camp.
Mykhailo Shelep also emphasised that 10 selected local authorities took part in the programme. The Malolyubashanska municipality won the opportunity to be among them by demonstrating its strong motivation.
Results of cooperation with U-LEAD can already be seen: the official ceremony of establishing the youth council of the Malolyubashanska municipality took place at the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, held on 6 November 2024 in the club of Mala Lyubasha village. Its members elected a chairman, deputy chairman and secretary, and defined the main areas of activity for the coming period. In total, the council includes 14 representatives, each of whom is dedicated to making his/her contribution to the development of the municipality. This is stated on the municipality’s Facebook page.
“We wish the Youth Council to become not just a formality, but a living body that influences decision-making and helps young people implement their initiatives. Perhaps one of the current members of the council will eventually become a member of the deputy corps or the executive committee. This is our joint investment in the future,” Ivan Stepaniuk commented.
One of the first tasks of the Youth Council was to investigate the problems of young people in the municipality. Each of its members should conduct a small survey and identify the three main issues of concern to young people, as well as suggest potential solutions. Based on the results of this research, the council will be able to develop a first action plan aimed at improving conditions for young residents of the municipality.
It is also reported that in addition to working on socially important projects, the youth council will also organise cultural, sporting and educational events to make life in the municipality more intense and interesting for young people. It is also planned to actively cooperate with other youth organisations and municipalities, which will allow them to share experiences and attract new initiatives.
