"Conversations about Restoration": Oksana Hlebushkina, executive director of the NGO "Civic Center "New Generation", about the restoration of youth activity in the Kherson region

The war forced young people to look for ways to survive, and many left their hometowns and villages in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, the decrease in the number of young people in communities is an alarming trend today.

This problem is noted not only by local residents but also by representatives of public organizations.

"There are fewer young people in the communities. This is clear. Currently, there are those working youth in communities who become new agents, drivers of changes and processes, but they are very busy", - says the executive director of the NGO "Community Center "New Generation" Oksana Hlebushkina during "Conversations about Restoration".

NGO "Civic Center "New Generation" is one of those organizations that know best about the needs and challenges of youth, actively working with them in the frontline communities of the Kherson region.

According to Oksana Hlebushkina, young people now want things to be like before. They sorely lack the usual things that existed before the war - sports grounds, places of leisure and relaxation, in a word, "everything that gives them a sense of normalcy, because they are now limited in this in their communities." Because of this, young people, in particular, move to other cities, where the situation is calmer. Therefore, one of the main tasks now is to make young people interested in staying in the community and inspire them to develop in their communities. This is how the idea of ​​creating multifunctional spaces arose, listening to young people's ideas.

Such processes can become the basis for positive changes. It is important that young people receive support in recovering and developing their own ideas. After all, fewer young people in communities causes concern about their future. Public organizations have become important partners in reviving youth activity. They work on the front lines, restoring connections and communication that have disappeared during the pandemic and war.

"In all communities that were de-occupied, a certain regression took place. Because everyone was "rejected" to the level of survival, and we have to return to the level to which we all went so much and for a long time in the previous years, we are trying to return to the point we were already at, "- adds Oksana Hlebushkina.

Cooperation with local authorities and businesses is the key to successful initiatives. When public organizations work together with businesses, they can provide resources and support for young professionals. Such projects go beyond theory; they create real development opportunities.

The modern labor market faces several serious challenges. As a result of the war, economic difficulties and a lack of jobs became commonplace for many young people. Decaying infrastructure and closing businesses are only some of the problems they face today.

"Now, there has been a complete upheaval in the labor market. Many employers left, and people automatically lost their jobs. Some enterprises in Kherson and the region have closed. In fact, the only remaining employers were communal institutions and organizations, the budgetary sphere, but reductions also took place there. There is an outflow of people due to mobilization and migration, and now we have half of the specialists we should have. This issue must be solved comprehensively - talk with employers about returning to Kherson and look for jobs and people who would meet the requirements and expectations of the employer. We would like the people of Kherson to earn money in Kherson." 

Therefore, the Civic Center plans a series of measures to retrain and study citizens to obtain professions and jobs in Kherson.

Oksana Hlebushkina is sure that we cannot take the experience of any other region. For example, the same programs for relocated businesses will not work in the Kherson region. We will have to start all over, taking into account the realities and needs of the residents.

After all, it is essential to realize that economic difficulties can become not only barriers but also opportunities for the development of new initiatives.

"The future belongs to those ready to work on themselves and their city" - Oksana Hlebushkina.