In September 2024, the Sociological Group Rating conducted a survey commissioned by the OSCE among young people aged 16-35 on assessments of youth centres and spaces and opportunities for young people in Ukraine.  

Key results: 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

• About a third of young people believe they have enough opportunities for self-fulfilment both in their locality and in Ukraine as a whole. 

• Compared to other categories of young people, opportunities for self-realization in Ukraine are generally more positively assessed by young people from regional centres; Kyiv city, central and western regions; and young people under 21 years of age.

• Opportunities for activities related to leisure, education and creativity are rated positively (50% or more report having such opportunities), while opportunities for economic activity are rated lower.

• In general, regional centres, Kyiv, and entrepreneurs rate economic possibilities for young people better.

• Young people from eastern regions and rural areas see the least opportunities for self-realisation in their localities.

• The presence of a youth centre in a settlement contributes to a better assessment of opportunities in general and an assessment of opportunities for self-fulfilment of young people in this locality.

• If there is a youth centre or space in the town/village, young people are much better at assessing opportunities for leisure and art.

VALUE ORIENTATIONS AND CURRENT PROBLEMS 

• Their safety, the safety of their relatives and the independence of Ukraine are among the most important priorities of young people. Security is more important for residents of the eastern regions, as well as for women. At the same time, equal opportunities are somewhat more important for young men. 

• Corruption, energy challenges, low income, and mobilization are the primary concerns nowadays, according to Ukrainian youth. Mobilization is more frequently identified as an issue by men, particularly those aged 26-30. However, for young women, the issues of low income and unemployment are more pressing.

• Youth from rural areas are more likely to highlight economic challenges, including low income and unemployment.

• Young people with Internally Displaced Person (IDP) status are three times more likely to point out the lack of housing as a problem.

AVAILABILITY AND ASSESSMENT OF YOUTH CENTERS AND SPACES

• 47% of young people report that there are youth centers and spaces in their localities. Another 28% are unaware of such spaces. 25% indicate that no such spaces exist. 

• There is a significant settlement gap. Among residents of regional centres, the majority (58%) report that such a centre exists in their city, while in rural areas, the majority (60%) indicate that no such centre is available. 

• At the same time, respondents from areas where such centres exist generally view them as a “safe space,” and most acknowledge their impact on young people's lives. However, opinions about the ability of youth centres to help young people find employment are nearly evenly split. In general, the more frequently young people visit these centres, the more they perceive their positive influence

EXPERIENCE OF VISITING YOUTH CENTRES

• 19% of respondents have visited youth centres at least once over the past few years. 

• The results of the quantitative research indicate that the primary audience for youth centres consists of:

- Youth under 25 years old

- More often women

- More often residents of regional centres

- More often students, public sector employees, and young entrepreneurs

- Those engaged in volunteer activities

- Individuals who study or live near the centre

• Among those who have visited youth centres, 42% are supporters (willing to recommend the centre to others), 21% are critics of youth centres, and 37% hold a neutral stance.

• Supporters are more prevalent among women, as well as those who visit the centres more frequently.

• While older individuals visit youth centres less often than younger ones, those older visitors who have started to attend demonstrate strong loyalty to the centres. 

• There is a slight increase in supporters among those who view the primary advantage of youth centres as being a “safe space.”

ADVANTAGES OF VISITING YOUTH CENTRES 

• Visitors to youth centres and spaces identify opportunities for socialisation, personal development, and leisure activities as some of the key benefits of attending.

• When discussing the benefits of youth centres, visitors from rural areas are more likely to highlight development opportunities and emphasize the centres' role as a safe space for youth. 

• Those who visit the centres more frequently generally mention more advantages, particularly citing the ability to organise their events and the comfortable environment. 

• Young people over 25 are more inclined to emphasise development opportunities as a key benefit of the centres. In contrast, younger individuals (under 25) tend to view youth centres as platforms for initiatives, particularly in terms of public engagement and organising their activities.

• Women value youth centres more than men for the opportunity to engage in social participation and for being safe spaces for young people. In contrast, men were slightly more likely to highlight advantages such as the ability to organise their activities and the opportunity to make new friends and find like-minded individuals.

BARRIERS TO ATTENDING YOUTH CENTRES 

• Those who have not visited youth centres primarily cite lack of free time, insufficient information about the centre, and the absence of a youth centre in their town or village as the main reasons. 

• Residents of rural areas are significantly more likely than those from other types of localities to mention the lack of a local youth centre as a key reason for not attending.

• Young people aged 16-21 often express that there is nothing of interest for them at youth centres, and they also mention the lack of companions to go there with. Older individuals tend to cite the lack of free time as their main barrier.

• Importantly, 68% of respondents indicated they would be more likely to visit a youth centre if one were to open near their place of residence. Among those who have never visited, around 65% said they would be willing to go under such circumstances.

USAGE OF YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES 

• 15% of respondents stated that they have used youth centre services at least once, with the services primarily focused on leisure activities, cultural development, and personal growth. Among those who have visited youth centres multiple times, 80% have utilized such services.

• Residents of rural areas more often used informational services and psychological counselling. In contrast, people in cities preferred leisure services, non-formal education, and career counselling.

• Young people aged 16-25 were more likely to participate in leisure activities and developmental programs. For the older group (26-35), cultural events and informational services were more popular.

• Informational services had little impact on loyalty to youth centres. However, there was a clear difference between supporters and critics when it came to cultural programs, developmental activities, and especially psychological counselling.

• 84% gave positive feedback about some services they received at youth centers.

• The most satisfied groups were:

- Women

- People who used youth center services multiple times

- Young people who sought psychological counselling, cultural activities, and developmental programs.

REQUESTS FOR YOUTH CENTER ACTIVITIES 

• When asked about preferred activities in youth centers, respondents most often mentioned military medical training, events for parents with children, and psychological support. At the same time, people who visited youth centers frequently showed a higher interest in creative workshops.

• The primary objectives of youth centres, as identified by respondents, include fostering intellectual development, promoting youth employment, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

• According to the respondents, the top priorities for youth centres should be education and self-development, national and civic education, sports and health, as well as psychological support. Psychological support must hold greater significance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and women.

• In eastern regions, activities for parents with children are more commonly mentioned. It is also observed among rural residents. Additionally, such activities tend to appeal more to older youth, whereas younger individuals are more interested in entertainment.

• Women place higher importance on events for parents with children and creative workshops. In contrast, men show a greater interest in sports-related events.

• Regarding activities, young people serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) frequently highlight the importance of sports and health initiatives as well as national-patriotic education. 

COMMUNICATION WITH YOUTH CENTRES

• 62% of respondents have at least some awareness of the activities of youth centres. Women, residents of central and western regions, and individuals living in cities with established youth centres tend to be better informed.

• 18% of respondents follow youth centres on social media. Among regular visitors to these centres, this figure rises to 70%. The most followed platforms are Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram. Men are more likely to use Telegram, while women prefer Instagram and Facebook.

• 70% of followers of youth centre pages have a positive perception of the content published. Women tend to rate it slightly higher.

• 13% of these followers frequently share content from these pages, while 59% do so occasionally.

• Female subscribers, individuals aged 16-21, and TikTok users are relatively more likely to share content. If the content is engaging, the likelihood of it being shared increases significantly.

• Followers of youth centre pages rate the communication style, the interest and usefulness of the information, and the design most positively, whereas interaction with followers receives lower scores.

• The strongest connection between content preference and evaluation criteria is observed with the interest and usefulness of information and the communication style. Statistically, the communication style is the most impactful factor—content with an appealing communication style is shared more frequently.

MIGRATION

• 32% of surveyed youth expressed a desire to move abroad if given the opportunity, while 45% indicated they would not. People from eastern regions, small towns, internally displaced persons (IDPs), men, individuals aged 22-25, and students are more inclined to seek relocation.

• The primary motivations for migration include safety, higher earning potential, and opportunities for children. Additionally, better living conditions and the ability to travel are relatively significant factors. 

• The issue of migration from rural areas is primarily driven by economic factors: rural residents wishing to move abroad frequently cite the potential for higher earnings and improved employment opportunities as their main reasons.

• Compared to other age groups, individuals aged 16-21 are more often motivated to relocate by aspirations for better living conditions, opportunities for self-realisation, career prospects, and access to quality education.

• From a gender perspective, women are more likely to justify their desire to move abroad with concerns for safety and opportunities for their children, while men often emphasize travel opportunities and prospects for personal development.

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT OF YOUTH 

• 73% of respondents believe they lack the ability to influence local government decisions. Respondents residing in large cities and those who are members of civil social organizations (SOs) are comparatively more optimistic about their potential to make an impact. Young people frequently involved in volunteering also have a more positive view of their ability to influence local authorities.

• 60% of youth reported participating in volunteer or community service activities over the past year: 16% frequently, 26% occasionally, and 18% rarely. 

• The highest levels of youth engagement are observed among residents of Kyiv, regional centres, individuals aged 16-21, young entrepreneurs, and students. 

• Most active citizens are observed among individuals who have visited youth centers. At the same time, among those engaged in volunteering, only 8% volunteered specifically at youth centers. Predominantly, these are young people aged 16-25 and those who have visited youth centers multiple times.

• 5% of respondents have undergone internships in local government bodies, and 3% in central government institutions. Among those currently employed in the public sector, this share increases to 10% and 8%, respectively.

• Every fifth respondent considers the possibility of pursuing a career as a youth worker in the future. This perspective is more commonly considered by rural residents, young people aged 16-21, students, individuals currently unemployed, women, those who have frequently visited youth centers, and those actively involved in volunteering.

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