Author:
Yuliia Didenko
From November 19 to 21, the Olena Zelenska Foundation and the Voices of Children Foundation held a training for the teams that will launch the first “12-21” youth spaces in communities across Ukraine. Three days of intensive work brought together specialists from different cities around a shared goal: to learn how to create a safe environment, an atmosphere of trust, warmth, and acceptance for adolescents and young people.
We are entering an important stage of a joint effort that our Foundation team has been committed to over the past year. During this time, the ‘12-21’ project has become a priority for me and something especially close to my heart. This partnership is an example of a genuine human connection between societies that understand one another through shared values,
The “12-21” youth spaces are designed for young people aged 12 to 21. They combine leisure, open and trusting communication, peer-to-peer support, and professional psychosocial assistance. Their main distinction is the absence of barriers between young people and specialists.
The training program included lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. Over the course of three days, we discussed the developmental needs of young people, the most common reasons they seek support, ways to ensure inclusivity within the spaces, and engaging volunteers. The teams practiced various techniques and exercises for working with young people in the most sensitive manner.
Experts from Denmark’s Headspace youth centers, whose model inspired the creation of Ukraine’s “12-21” spaces, shared their experience. They explained how their system works, the challenges that arise in working with youth, and how to build trusting relationships with teenagers.
The training program included lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. Over the course of three days, we discussed the developmental needs of young people, the most common reasons they seek support, ways to ensure inclusivity within the spaces, and engaging volunteers. The teams practiced various techniques and exercises for working with young people in the most sensitive manner.
Experts from Denmark’s Headspace youth centers, whose model inspired the creation of Ukraine’s “12-21” spaces, shared their experience. They explained how their system works, the challenges that arise in working with youth, and how to build trusting relationships with teenagers.
We don’t look at young people from above, we see individuals with experiences of war, we ourselves didn’t have at their age. ‘12-21’ is about co-creation. It is a space for open conversation without barriers, a space of interaction and mutual respect. At the same time, we also learn strength and resilience from teenagers every day, and together with them, we want to build the future of Ukraine,
The training was organized in partnership with the Coordination Center for Mental Health at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The first “12-21” spaces will open later this year in Bila Tserkva, Chernihiv, and Khmelnytskyi.
We are pleased to be part of this project and to contribute to scaling systemic support for children and youth across Ukraine.
We are pleased to be part of this project and to contribute to scaling systemic support for children and youth across Ukraine.
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