Militsa Eggert

How do you spark a child's interest in physics or chemistry when there are so many digital distractions around and school textbooks can sometimes seem dull? In the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, they have found an answer. For several years now, the local Youth Cultural and Educational Science Centre has been proving that science can be an exciting hands-on experience that children can literally touch and explore.

A few years ago, not many people could have imagined that a neglected plot of land in the Kyiv region would form the basis of an idea combining environmental protection, education, social entrepreneurship and energy independence. But that is exactly how the story of ‘Energy Willow' began – a school initiative that helps Ukrainians today not only to learn, but also to create practical solutions for the future of their communities, with the support of the EU4Youth programme.

On a cold winter’s evening in Southeast Europe, people still worry about keeping their lights on and heating running. It’s a matter of cost, not just comfort. These everyday concerns are rarely visible in high-level political debates, yet they are increasingly shaped by them. Can the European Union extend eastwards while racing towards climate neutrality? As Brussels prepares for the greatest EU enlargement in decades, it is demanding acceding countries to commit to the world’s most progressive climate infrastructure. The question is no longer whether Europe can go green, but if it can take others with it in that process.

The moment Europe became real I still remember the feeling of arriving in Salamanca with a suitcase, Google maps, and a quiet sense of fear. I didn’t know anyone. My Spanish was hesitant. Everything felt unfamiliar. Yet, somewhere between the ancient streets and the echo of student voices in one of Europe’s oldest universities, something shifted. For the first time, Europe stopped being an idea. It became something I could live. Learning to live Europe When I left Iași for my Erasmus semester in Salamanca in 2023, I thought I was simply continuing my legal studies abroad. In reality, I

In the current world of uncertainty and crisis, I believe that we, the young generation, face a massive challenge to “fix things”. And when, as the result of this chaos, we find ourselves overwhelmed by a feeling of doubt, we fail to see that we actually have the potential to be a driving force of change! Youth participation is on the rise in Europe The topic of active youth participation has been gaining popularity over the past few years, which has made it a plentiful research area. In 2025, for the second time, the Allianz Foundation conducted a Next Generations

Do you trust the water flowing from your tap? In Armenia's Armavir Province this simple question is a daily concern for thousands of villagers. Across Armavir, as well as Ararat and Aragatsotn Provinces, rural communities are struggling with excessively hard, heavily mineralised tap water that is not only unpleasant to drink but also harmful for health. Households rely on purchasing drinking water from tanker trucks or stationary water distribution pumps and sales points – an additional expense that weighs heavily on low-income families. With EU support, the local Regional Sustainable Development NGO is working with communities to seek lasting solutions and ensure that residents' concerns reach decision-makers.

“The full-scale invasion began in February 2022. And that's when BUR experienced very rapid, unorganic scaling. In January 2022 we had 12 people on the team – by January 2023, there were almost 70 staff members,” recalls Marta Benyshyn, Head of the NGO Buduyemo Ukrainu Razom (BUR – Building Ukraine Together).

In a world where the information war is as intense as the one on the battlefield, Sofiia Nazarenko from Ukraine chose to fight through quality journalism. From reporting on historic events at just 18 to becoming a TV presenter in Kyiv, her journey is defined by a strong determination to deliver the truth. Through the EU4Youth Scholarship Programme, Sofiia transformed this passion into European-level analytical expertise at the College of Europe in Natolin.

Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories is usually described in the language of war: front lines, trenches, drones, artillery. But another battle unfolds inside institutions and especially schools. Whoever controls the curriculum, the symbols on the walls, and the history lessons, controls the official version of reality.

In the autumn of 2024, masked soldiers took Mariia away from her family in an occupied city in southern Ukraine. A few hours later, the soldiers called Mariia's daughter and, during a video call, showed her mother tied up while threatening that unless she cooperated with Russian forces, they would transfer her mother to an undisclosed prison. According to a UN report, this is not an isolated case: the Russian state is committing war crimes against civilians abducted from the occupied territories.