Youth Connect EU-Ukraine (YOU) is a 24-month Erasmus+ cooperation partnership that supports young people affected by the war in Ukraine by strengthening their resilience, inclusion, and agency across Europe.
The project brings together youth organisations, higher education institutions and community-based partners from Poland, Romania, Czechia, and Ukraine. It is led by the British Council Foundation in collaboration with a regional network of partners committed to youth empowerment and cross-border cooperation.
The need for action
The war in Ukraine has displaced and disrupted the lives of millions of young people. Many now face isolation, trauma and uncertainty about their futures. Youth organisations working with this population urgently need greater support, coordination and the tools to respond to this complex and evolving crisis. The YOU project was born out of this pressing need - to offer young Ukrainians opportunities for growth, dialogue and leadership, while equipping the organisations that support them with essential skills and resources.
Project objectives
YOU focuses on three key areas:
- strengthening youth organisations working with Ukrainians across Europe and within Ukraine;
- promoting intercultural dialogue and inclusion between Ukrainian and local youth in host communities;
- fostering cross-border collaboration to create a coordinated response to the challenges facing Ukrainian youth.
The project features
- mapping and needs analysis of youth organisations;
- capacity-building workshops on trauma-informed care, intercultural communication, diversity and inclusion;
- a practical toolkit and a guide with best practices;
- 5 intercultural exchange programmes and 15 youth-led inclusion initiatives;
- 4 international forums anda collaborative digital platform;
- awareness campaigns and a final conference to disseminate results.
Who is involved
Led by Fundacja British Council (Poland), the project consortium includes:
- Fundatia Nationala pentru Tineret (Romania) – a national youth network supporting young people and Ukrainian refugees;
- UCT Prague (Czech Republic) – a university providing integration support for displaced Ukrainian students;
- Volyn Youth Center (Ukraine) – a youth-led organisation offering leadership training and community engagement;
- Sustainable Development Agency "Skyscraper" (Ukraine) – specialising in youth policy, civic engagement and volunteerism.
Why this matters
YOU not only addresses the immediate needs of Ukrainian youth but also invests in long-term, sustainable change. It fosters trust, mutual understanding and solidarity among diverse youth groups. By bridging non-formal and formal education, YOU opens pathways to empowerment and integration for vulnerable young people.
The project aligns with the British Council’s efforts to support inclusive, resilient, and future-ready youth communities across Europe.
