Engage, Connect, Empower: Building Resilience through Integrated Action of Dynamic Youth and Local Government for the Environment (BRIDGE)

The project aims to address the critical gap in public life participation of youth that compromises their communities'Äô cohesiveness and capacity to withstand current and potential future social and economic shocks in a country already severely impacted by a weak economy, lack of opportunities, scarcely efficient social services and precarious social safety-nets, as well as high rates of emigration and return migration, all further exacerbated by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In tackling these challenges through its 'ÄúEngage, Connect, Empower'Äù approach, IOM seeks to strengthen youth in Ukraine to bring about cohesion and resilience in their communities. In doing so, the action anticipates that 1) youth, youth-focused organisations and authorities will increase their engagement in community action; 2) they will have enhanced connections across Ukraine; and 3) youth will be empowered to be drivers of change in their communities.