Conclusions from YoU Decide Final Conference

Building Futures Across Borders: Young Ukrainians Call for Certainty, Opportunities and a Voice in Shaping Their Futures

Brussels, 23 October 2026 - Young Ukrainians displaced by the war are building their lives across Europe, pursuing education, entering the labour market and making decisions about their futures. Yet uncertainty about the war, their legal status, access to opportunities and longer-term prospects continues to shape those decisions.

On 15 October, Missing Children Europe organised "Moving Beyond Uncertainty: Displaced Youth of Ukraine Transitioning into Adulthood in Europe," the final conference of the YoU Decideproject, funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund+ Social Innovation+ Initiative. The project coordinated by Missing Children Europe in partnership with Terre des hommes Hungary, ITAKA (Poland) and OPU (Czechia), and Heartwarmingly consultancy.

The conference brought together over 70 participants, including displaced Ukrainian young people, representatives of the Ukrainian government, the European Commission and UNHCR, alongside researchers, child protection organisations, youth workers, national authorities and civil society practitioners.

Throughout the day, one message emerged clearly: young people need more than temporary safety. They need the certainty, support and opportunities to shape their own futures and build their lives.

Young people set out three priorities for policymakers

At the heart of the conference was the YoU Decide Youth Advisory Board: Anastasiya, Diana, David, Ruslan, Viktoriia, Polina, Herman, Timur, who have actively contributed to the project's research, activities and development of solutions.

Drawing on their experiences of living in Poland, Czechia, Hungary and elsewhere in Europe, they described the practical challenges of navigating unfamiliar systems and planning for the future.

Their discussion challenged the assumption that uncertainty about the future is inevitable. As Youth Advisory Board member explained,"there is a difference between not knowing what your future will look like and not knowing what options are available".

The Youth Advisory Board presented three priorities for policymakers:

The young speakers also challenged the expectation that they must choose between integrating into European societies and maintaining their Ukrainian identity. Integration and belonging to a new society can coexist with Ukrainian identity, and young people can support Ukraine's recovery even while living abroad. For many, belonging can mean building a life in more than one place.  

Their message was not a request for others to make decisions on their behalf, but for the conditions that would allow them to make those decisions freely and with confidence.

Research with young people, not only about them

The conference also presented findings from Reclaiming Our Voices, the YoU Decide research involving 288 displaced young Ukrainians in Poland, Czechia and Hungary coordinated by Heartwarmingly research team.

Beyond examining young people's experiences, the project explored how participatory research can create opportunities for young people to contribute directly to the development of evidence and solutions.

Members of the Youth Advisory Board took on roles as co-researchers, facilitators and contributors throughout the process, developing confidence, leadership skills and a sense of ownership.

The discussions highlighted the importance of recognising young people as experts in their own experiences, rather than treating them solely as research participants or beneficiaries of support.

The conference also showcased practical approaches developed and explored through YoU Decide, including Miniila, a youth-oriented information platform designed to make reliable guidance and available services easier to access.

Together, these approaches demonstrate how research, community engagement and accessible information can help young people navigate unfamiliar systems and make informed decisions.

Preparing for the future requires cooperation between Ukraine and the EU

The conference welcomed Denys Uliutin, Ukraine's Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity, and Ilona Havronska, Deputy Minister for European Integration, alongside representatives of the European Commission and UNHCR.

In his keynote address, Minister Uliutin emphasised the importance of coordinated services and continuity of support as young people transition into adulthood. Fragmented support can create additional instability precisely when young people are expected to make important decisions about their futures.

He also emphasised that maintaining connections with Ukraine requires practical opportunities, not only symbolic gestures. Initiatives such as Ukraine's Unity Hubs and networks can help young Ukrainians abroad access reliable information, mentoring, community activities and opportunities to exchange experiences. They can also help young people stay connected to developments and opportunities in Ukraine while building stable lives elsewhere.

These questions were explored further in the policy discussion "Moving Beyond Temporariness: Building Sustainable Futures for Young People Displaced from Ukraine," which brought together Deputy Minister Havronska, Isabela Atanasiu of the European Commission's DG HOME, and Angela Moore, Head of UNHCR's Policy and Legal Support Unit.

The discussion examined the transition beyond Temporary Protection, the different residence pathways being developed across EU Member States and the need to ensure that young people do not lose access to essential services or protection during this process.

From the European Commission's perspective, Isabela Atanasiu acknowledged the need to provide displaced Ukrainians with greater predictability and clear options beyond Temporary Protection. She outlined ongoing EU efforts to encourage alternative residence pathways, noting that while decisions on national residence permits remain the responsibility of Member States, the European Commission facilitates coordination and exchange of practices between them. She also highlighted the challenges of transitioning to existing residence categories, particularly when young people face income or other eligibility requirements, and the importance of ensuring that these pathways do not create gaps in protection.

Deputy Minister Havronska highlighted the importance of cooperation between Ukrainian authorities, European institutions and civil society in developing opportunities and providing reliable information for Ukrainians abroad. She also stressed that transition out of Temporary Protection must not suggest that the war has ended or that the need for protection has disappeared.

She explained that the Ukrainian government recognises that many young Ukrainians abroad may not be considering returning in the near future. Rather than pushing for return, the Ministry aims to provide reliable information and meaningful opportunities so that young people can make informed decisions about their futures. She highlighted that the Unity Hubs in this context aim to maintain meaningful ties with Ukraine while respecting young people's individual choices and are guided by the motto "Co-creating Ukraine's future together."

Angela Moore drew on UNHCR's ongoing research and monitoring of displaced Ukrainians' needs, experiences and intentions, emphasising that these evolve over time and require tailored responses rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. She stressed that people should not be left in limbo, but supported in continuing their education, developing skills and building their lives during displacement.

As Europe prepares for the transition beyond Temporary Protection, she called for gradual, well-planned pathways that reflect different vulnerabilities and ensure that no one falls through the cracks or loses access to protection and essential services, particularly young people transitioning into adulthood.

The discussion reinforced the need to beginpreparing sustainable solutions now, rather than waiting until Temporary Protection approaches its end in 2028. These solutions must reflect the continuing war, different protection needs and the importance of giving people meaningful choices about their futures.

From listening to young people to acting on their priorities

As the YoU Decide project approaches its conclusion, the conference highlighted the importance of carrying its lessons into future policy and practice.

Participants reflected on the value of bringing together young people, policymakers, researchers and practitioners in a dialogue that moved beyond institutional presentations and created space for genuine exchange.

For the Youth Advisory Board, participation also brought opportunities to develop skills, build relationships and contribute to discussions that directly affect their lives.

In the closing reflections, members encouraged organisations and researchers to continue reaching out to young people, listening to their experiences and creating opportunities for meaningful participation.

The challenge now is to translate these contributions into practical change: clearer information, accessible opportunities, continuity of support and policies that recognise young people's different needs and aspirations.

The experiences and recommendations developed through YoU Decide provide a foundation for continued cooperation between European and Ukrainian stakeholders, with young people's voices at its centre.

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Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Social Fund Agency. Neither the European Union nor the Granting Authority can be held responsible for them.