On 6-8 May 2024, the Ukrainian delegation took part in the 15th Platform of Youth Centres with the Quality Label Council of Europe. The event took place at the European Youth Centre of the Council of Europe in Budapest, Hungary. This was the second visit of the Ukrainian delegation to participate in the Platform.
During the event, representatives of youth centres with the Council of Europe Quality Label exchanged experiences and talked about the latest developments in the context of youth policy and youth work at different levels - national, regional and local. They covered major programme updates and operational changes in their youth centres, as well as experience on co-operation with other youth centres.
As the event was also attended by representatives of youth centres planning to receive the Quality Label, including the Ukrainian delegation, they had the opportunity to share their experience of working in their youth centres and take part in a workshop held by the invited organisation Lola Communication S.A. on the topic "Creating a common narrative on the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres".
During the Youth Centres’ Fair, everyone could present the work of a youth centre. This provided an opportunity for the exchange of experiences and ideas between the participants, contributing to the development of the youth sphere in different European countries. One of the main achievements of the visit of the Ukrainian delegation was the establishment of contacts with representatives of youth centres that have the Council of Europe Quality Label for further training opportunities and exchange of experience, in particular through study visits for youth workers from Ukraine. This will contribute to improving the quality of youth work in Ukraine and bringing it closer to European standards.
Two important events were also celebrated during the event: the 15th anniversary of the Council of Europe Quality Label for Youth Centres Programme and the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe. This celebration was a symbolic recognition of the achievements in the development of youth centres and the long-term contribution of the Council of Europe in support of democracy, human rights and youth policy in Europe.
The delegation's visit was organised by the project "Youth for Democracy in Ukraine: Phase III", which is implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2023-2026. The project expands the systematic impact by strengthening youth participation policies and strengthening youth work during the war and in the post-war context, taking into account the specific needs of young people.
In 2023, the Council of Europe project supported the delegation's participation in the 14th Platform and further study visits to the youth centre with the Council of Europe Quality Label "Marttinen" in Finland and to the youth centre with the Council of Europe Quality Label in Killarney, Ireland.
