Youth development within the framework of the Youth Initiative Banks project

“MBI gives me the opportunity to implement projects I could only dream of, as well as self-development and community,” says 15-year-old activist Viktoriia from MBI Glynyan, Lviv district.

Youth Banks Initiatives are a unique model for engaging young people in civil society around the world. It consists of 16 main steps that cover various topics such as identifying and prioritizing community needs, fundraising, communications, and PR, etc. All of these steps are designed to be completed over the course of one year, and young people aged 14-25 should go through them with their coordinator (an experienced professional who acts as a facilitator).

Young people have the opportunity to gain new skills and demonstrate their ability to objectively assess the situation in the community, identify its main needs, and choose the right fundraising goal. MBI participants learn how to apply for grants organized by the National Network of Local Philanthropy Development and hold grant competitions among other active youth in the community, so that everyone can receive funds for project implementation.

Since 2021, the National Network of Local Philanthropy Development has been implementing the project “Movement of Youth Banks of Ukraine – Promoting the Culture of Philanthropy and Involving Youth in Civil Society.”

To make the model more efficient for Ukrainian youth, NNLPD sets relevant themes for each year: 2022 was dedicated to the humanitarian aid topic, and 2023 was focused on the future rebuilding of Ukraine.

In 2022, the youth gained experience in helping families affected by the full-scale invasion. After collecting the necessary information from them, 39 families received financial assistance. Additionally, each MBI organized events relevant to their community: MBI Berezan implemented a project aimed at supporting youth sports initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle. MBI Bar conducted a re-granting, which resulted in 3 local events: a music evening, art therapy with clay, and an event for children called “Country of Childhood.” MBI Novoyavorivsk implemented a project to unite the community by exploring winter traditions, the cultural heritage of the region, and creating a Christmas atmosphere.

Currently, 9 Youth Initiative Banks (MBIs) from 9 different communities in Ukraine are implementing socially significant initiatives that respond to the community needs analysis conducted by young people: MBI Novoyavorivsk is creating a space to honor the soldiers of their community who died in the war. MBI Glynyan is implementing an eco-project and held a clean-up in the Glynyan Forest, while MBI Voznesensk is creating a bicycle parking lot.

MBI Svitlovodsk cleaned up the local waterfront, announced free open-air movie nights, and started creating a poetry studio, a creative space for active youth. MBI Hrytsiv implemented several projects at once: movie nights, a patriotic flash mob, and landscaping of the community. MBI Boyarka was able to fund 7 initiatives at once: practical workshops in photography and public speaking, organization of an eco-party, landscaping of a local park with rose bushes, and cleaning the riverbank.

In 2023, participants in the Youth Banks had the opportunity to try their hand at being grantmakers: selecting winners of the competition among other active youth in the community, funding their projects that meet the needs of the community, and monitoring and evaluating the projects being implemented.

NNLPD’s task is not only to provide grants, but also to conduct additional training, offline conferences, and exchanges between MBIs. It is important for us to support young people not only in developing various skills, but also in creating a safe space where they are heard and can solve everything on their own.

Here is a link to an infographic of our activities:

https://bit.ly/3KytrGB

The Youth Initiative Banking Movement project is funded by the Cifers Foundation, ISAR Ednannia, and the Wilhelm and Anja Böllhoff family.