Learning to Take Action:
A Recap of the “Learn for Democracy” School

The school took place in the mountainous region of Lviv Oblast—within the Skole Beskids National Nature Park. Participants were young people aged 18–25: students from various fields of study and young professionals, including both experienced civic activists and those who are just planning to join the movement for change.

The first day began with an icebreaker session led by Ievgeniia Shelest, coordinator of the “Organizational Development” and “Islets of progressivity” directions. This helped create an open atmosphere and lay the groundwork for future teamwork.

The training program was opened by Konstantin Palshkov, co-coordinator of the “Communication” direction, with an interactive session titled “What Is Democracy and Civic Education: Why Does Your Voice Really Matter?” Thanks to a combination of game-based exercises and the participants’ own experiences, everyone was able to quickly immerse themselves in the topic of democratic governance.

The program continued with a presentation by NGO activist Oleksandr Krasnokutskyi on the topic “Democracy: From Definitions to Understanding.” Participants gained a systematic understanding of the concept of democracy—from the history of the term to contemporary practices, principles, and challenges, particularly in the Ukrainian context.

A distinctive feature of the school was the combination of learning with active recreation. On the second day, participants took part in a variety of activities—from pottery and soap-making to challenges at the extreme sports park and the climbing wall.

At the same time, for some participants, it was about more than just entertainment: many of these young people have experienced life in wartime—some have lived through an occupation, while others are dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences. That is precisely why these kinds of activities have become an important part of their emotional recovery, offering them a chance to recharge, feel supported, and find a safe space alongside others.

The third day was opened by the news feed editor of the online news feed “Tsukr” from the city of Sumy Vladyslava Kritska, who spoke on the topic “How can local media strengthen democracy?” She shared practical experience in media work and its impact on the development of democratic culture in communities. During a hands-on exercise, participants developed their own concepts for regional media aimed at addressing pressing issues—from uncontrolled development to environmental challenges.

Bohdan Ferens, founder of the NGO “Progressive and Strong,” spoke about the organization’s development and encouraged young people to move from ideas to concrete action by implementing their own projects in their communities.

A separate important segment was a simulation workshop on inclusion, led by veteran Artem Bondarev together with rehabilitation specialist Yulia Babaeva. Participants had the opportunity to better understand the experiences of people with visual impairments and learn how to interact appropriately.

Activist Yulia Shmalenko conducted a presidential election simulation. Participants worked in teams, developed candidates’ campaign platforms, and took part in debates, turning the meeting into an engaging democratic experience.

For most participants, this was their first experience of this kind, as a significant number of them had never actually voted before. That is why the simulation gave them the opportunity to try their hand at both being elected and making decisions. A logical follow-up was a homework assignment: to draft an appeal to local government bodies regarding ensuring the inclusivity of public spaces in their communities.

On the final day of the school, the teams presented their own projects—from concept to implementation plan in communities and educational institutions—as part of the “Designing Youth Initiatives: Learn for Democracy” workshop. A valuable aspect was that the teams had the opportunity to receive feedback from both their peers and the NGO team.

The organization’s HR manager, Liudmila Kornuta, encouraged participants to continue their development, join the “Progressive and strong” NGO team, and not stop at the knowledge they’ve gained.

The school’s final event was a hike in the mountains. The participants climbed Mount Konyk (786 m), covering an 8-kilometer route. The scenery, stops at the cliffs and springs, and the shared experience made this day especially memorable. The group was accompanied on the hike by the camp dog Tetris, who became a true favorite of all the participants.

It’s hard to say what the participants will remember most: the morning “Ariva” exercises, the mock election, the mountain hike, or the new friendships. But one thing is clear—this school became a space where young people not only learned about democracy but also began to create it.