Youth is the driving force behind Odesa region’s development

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The Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region met with the Youth Council of the Odesa Regional State Administration to discuss ways of cooperation. Today, young people are increasingly active in the field of public policy, and it is important that their energy and new ideas are reflected in the strategic plans for the region’s development.

For many years, the Agency has been playing a special role in the region – we are not only an institution created to support development, but also a platform where communities, businesses, international partners and authorities come together. It is here that a space of trust and cooperation is formed, which opens up new opportunities for young people who want to influence changes in society.

During the meeting, Serhiy Kononenko, Director of the Agency, shared his practical experience in implementing regional and international projects. He emphasized that even small initiatives can be scaled up and turn into meaningful solutions for the entire region. He also told the members of the Youth Council how to apply for grant programs, design projects, and why it is an important tool for development. Thanks to grants, young people can receive resources to implement their own ideas, turn initiatives into real projects, and maximize their potential. This experience showed the Youth Council representatives that their ideas can be integrated into real processes that determine the future of the region.

For the Agency, young people are not only partners but also a powerful resource for shaping modern development. We are convinced that it is the new generation that can bring a fresh perspective, innovations and European standards to regional policy.

We will work together to make youth initiatives an integral part of the broader development strategy of Odesa Oblast. This is how we build a strong, innovative and open region together.

The Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region receives institutional support from the Swiss-Ukrainian project “Cohesion and Regional Development of Ukraine”, the UCORD Project, which is implemented with the support of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, by NIRAS Sweden AB.