Create Interactive Civic Education Courses to Engage Youth in Urban Politics (UAIEV0001)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Action plan – Kyiv, Ukraine, 2025 – 2026
Inception Report: Not available
Commitment Start: Feb 2025
Commitment End: Dec 2026
Institutions involved:
- Department of Education and Science of the executive body of the Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration)
- Department of Public Communications of the executive body of the Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration)
- Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University
- Institute of Postgraduate Education of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University
- Communal non-profit enterprise of the executive body of the Kyiv City Council (Kyiv City State Administration) ‘ Centre of Communication’
- Municipal Research Institution ‘Research Institute of Socio-Economic Development of the City’
- Kyiv City Youth Council at the Kyiv City Council
- NGO ‘Local branch of the youth organisation “Plast - National Scouting Organisation of Ukraine” ’Kyiv Stanytsia of Plast - National Scouting Organisation of Ukraine’
- NGO ‘Institute for Development, Cooperation and European Integration’
- NGO ‘Parents SOS’
Primary Policy Area:
Primary Sector:
OGP Value:
- Civic Participation
Description
Commitment ID
UAIEV0001
Commitment Title
Develop and implement interactive civic education courses in school, vocational and university environments to promote active participation of young people in urban politics
Problem
According to a sociological study by Gradus Research and Advanter Group conducted in May 2024, 83% of young Ukrainians aged 18 to 34 want to move abroad. At the same time, according to study by CEDOS, about 2 million young people have already left Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. One of the reasons for this is the lack of knowledge about opportunities, including in the life of the city and the country as a whole. According to a study conducted by the Center for Analysis and Sociological Research (CISR) of the International Republican Institute (IRI) in June-July 2024, despite the fact that young people in Ukraine are actively involved in volunteer initiatives, support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and local community projects, their involvement in urban policy implementation and decision-making remains low: less than 50% of young people aged 16 to 35 are aware of the activities of youth political organisations and platforms, an even smaller percentage of young people participate in meetings of public councils at local governments and spend their time on a public cause or project, and only 7% of respondents have been involved in youth councils. Young people are more likely to be involved in so-called informal civic engagement, which is focused on specific, local initiatives rather than traditional processes. This indicates that they are capable of being active, but they need adequate knowledge and understanding of civic participation processes.
Status quo
In Kyiv, an optional civic education course has already been introduced for school, vocational and university students. However, the results of a survey among participants in the educational process and their parents indicate that the quality of these courses is insufficient. They need to be improved to meet the current needs of young people and the need for their more active involvement in the processes of formulating and implementing urban policies.
Action
The commitment envisages the development and implementation of interactive civic education courses for school, vocational and university institutions in Kyiv. The aim is to raise awareness of young people about the mechanisms of urban governance and encourage their active participation in the development and implementation of urban policies. Expected results include the integration of these courses into the curricula, which will contribute to the development of civic awareness and the involvement of young people in decision-making processes at the local level. The overall goal of the commitment is to form an active and responsible young generation capable of influencing community development and ensuring sustainable democratic development of the city.
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?
Raising the level of civic awareness and youth activism, which will facilitate the involvement of young people in urban policies and solving local problems, the formation of critical thinking and responsibility, as well as the development of partnerships between educational institutions, authorities and the public for sustainable community development
What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?
The commitment is related to the following goal of the Open Government Partnership Action Plan for 2023-2025 ‘Promoting Public Participation in the Recovery and Development of Regions and Territorial Communities’
Primary Policy Area
Civic Space, Public Participation
Primary Sector
Education
What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?
| Civic Participation | The civic education course is aimed at developing the knowledge and skills necessary for young people to actively participate in decision-making processes at the city level. It contributes to the development of a culture of civic engagement, encouraging young people to be proactive and cooperate with the city authorities. The interactive format of the courses provides practical training in participation mechanisms such as public consultations, petitioning, participation in youth councils, etc. |