Grassroots youth in the Eastern Partnership
Facing instability and social challenges in Ukraine, Armenia, and Sweden, this project builds a collaborative platform connecting grassroots youth organizations to share experiences, strengthen resilience, promote mental well-being, and better support marginalized and displaced young people across these regions.
Project Summary
Project period: October 2023 – May 2025
Partners: Armenian Progressive Youth NGO, Youth Organization “STAN”
Funded by: Swedish Institute
The project establishes a networking platform for grassroots organizations in the Eastern Partnership that work with youth activists. It unites organizations from Sweden (Fryshuset), Ukraine (STAN), and Armenia (APY) to collaborate through regular digital and in-person meetings.
The platform focuses on key themes:
- War and hard life circumstances
- Resilience and sustainability
- Mental health and well-being
By fostering cross-border cooperation, the initiative aims to strengthen youth organizations working under challenging conditions, enhance their capacity for peacebuilding, and create long-term impact.
Context and Challenges
In recent years, both Ukraine and Sweden have faced significant societal challenges:
- Ukraine — war and mass displacement
- Sweden — complex social, environmental, and economic issues
In response, Fryshuset (Sweden) and STAN (Ukraine) partnered to exchange expertise and build community resilience. Later, Armenian Progressive Youth (APY) joined, bringing in perspectives from Armenia — another country heavily affected by conflict, where young people face instability, fear, and uncertainty.
Youth workers and activists in these regions often operate under high stress with minimal resources, especially when supporting internally displaced or marginalized youth. The project addresses these challenges by creating a collaborative space for sharing strategies, building resilience, and supporting mental well-being.
Activities Implemented
- In-person exchange meetings hosted by Fryshuset (Sweden) and APY (Armenia)
- Needs assessment on youth resilience, with results shared with stakeholders
- Advocacy efforts through participation in conferences such as the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
- Stakeholder engagement to explore future cooperation opportunities
The programme specifically targeted:
- Youth workers supporting internally displaced children and youth (in shelters, child-friendly spaces, help points)
- Youth activists working with displaced or marginalized young people
- Managers and coordinators within youth organizations who support frontline workers
Impact
Direct beneficiaries: Youth workers and activists who gain skills, resources, and a support network to address resilience, sustainability, and mental health in conflict-affected areas.
Indirect beneficiaries: Disadvantaged and marginalized youth reached through the improved work of these trained youth workers.
The project aimed to create:
- Stronger grassroots youth organizations
- Sustainable peacebuilding efforts
- Better mental health support systems
- Increased resilience among young people in challenging environments
Updates & Reports
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Contact
📧 For more information, contact: development@fryshuset.se
📲 Follow the journey on Instagram — click the names to visit the profiles:
@fryshusetglobal & @fryshusetyouthmobility