Without a comprehensive picture of how Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine has impacted young people, it is impossible to fully grasp the resilience of Ukrainian society and the prospects for a post-war recovery and reconstruction. The needs and concerns of young people have changed over the course of the war depending on factors like proximity to violence, scope and type of security threats, and access to resources.
This report by LSE Consulting's Education, Youth and Civil Engagement (EYCE) Hub meets the objective of providing a holistic picture of war’s impact on youth life, perception of the future and potential role of youth in rebuilding Ukraine. In particular, the report presents the answers to the following major research questions:
- How has youth life been affected by war in practice, what needs and concerns are prioritised?
- How does experiencing war shape everyday life and impact feelings about the future?
- What are the underlying motivations driving either desire to emigrate or to stay within Ukraine?
- What is the capacity of Ukrainian youth to plan their lives in the short- to long-term future?
- What is the youth’s potential for active participation in the civic and political life in Ukraine?
These important issues are addressed in two ways: first, a literature review of current research on youth both in Ukraine and in other conflict affected zones is presented, and second, the findings of a qualitative study conducted in Ukraine from January to March 2024 are summarised. This report explores the relationship between the practical, material concerns of young people in Ukraine and their hope and aspirations for the future.
This study was commissioned by the British Council and fieldwork was conducted by InfoSapiens, a Ukrainian research agency.