On 15 February 2025, Lviv hosted the closing event of the nationwide communication campaign “Together We Learn & Grow,” The campaign, highlighting the European Union’s (EU) ongoing support for Ukrainian education and youth during the war, ran for almost 6 months and reached approximately 14 million people.

The closing event was organised by the EU Delegation to Ukraine, in partnership with the “Lviv – European Youth Capital 2025” initiative and the Lviv Bureau of European Integration. Inaugurated by EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernová and Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, it brought together hundreds of young people, educators, experts, and journalists, serving as a platform to celebrate the achievements of EU educational and youth initiatives while introducing new opportunities for young Ukrainians.

«The Russian aggression has irrevocably altered the lives of millions of Ukrainian children and youth. As the future of Ukraine, they must not have their learning opportunities wasted, - EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová said. - That’s why we launched this campaign to support young Ukrainians, and I was glad to attend the closing event in Lviv—the European Youth Capital of 2025. As Ukraine bravely fights the Russian invader, the EU remains committed to education and youth—not just as an investment in Ukraine’s future, but in the hope and resilience that will shape our shared European future”.

The event, moderated by Roman Shcherban and wrapped up by artist ALYONA ALYONA, featured a range of interactive panel discussions such as on career pathways, youth leadership, and the role youth in shaping local communities and the future of Ukraine. Special attention was given to educational opportunities for veterans and internally displaced persons (IDPs), highlighting ways to acquire new skills, start businesses, and adapt to changing circumstances.

EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernová and Mayor Sadovyi also awarded the winners of the All-Ukrainian regional media competition, held as part of the “Together We Learn & Grow” communication campaign from Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Kyiv Oblast and Cherkasy.

Overall, the Education and Youth campaign held 8 major events across Ukraine, reaching over 15,000 educators, students and communities. Key events included networking sessions for teachers, vocational education initiatives, and gatherings in Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Poltava, showcasing EU efforts in education. A mobile exposition also toured major cities, while a regional media contest was held with the winners receiving their awards at the final event in Lviv.   

Background:

The “Together We Learn & Grow” campaign, launched in September 2024 during the “Knyzhkova Kraina” (Book Country) Festival in Kyiv, highlighted the EU's support for Ukrainian education and youth. Initially engaging around 14,000 attendees, the campaign expanded nationwide, focusing on safe educational environments, skills development, vocational education modernisation, higher education strengthening, and youth leadership.

The campaign held 8 major events across Kyiv and five regions, reaching over 15,000 educators, students, and community members. Key events included networking sessions for teachers, vocational education initiatives, and gatherings in Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Poltava, showcasing EU efforts in education. A mobile exposition also toured major cities, reaching thousands of Ukrainians.

The EU support for education and youth was promoted through over 300 publications in media, on digital platforms, as well as television and radio. The total outreach of the audience constitutes about 14 million Ukrainians.

Since the invasion, the EU has allocated over EUR 350 million to support Ukraine’s education sector, safe learning and created an educational coalition to drive reforms. These efforts aim to modernise the education system and support Ukraine’s reconstruction and integration into Europe.

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