A New Generation of Leaders: How Teens from Bucha and Borodianka Shape the Future through the Aspen Kyiv Challenge

On 14–15 November, Aspen Institute Kyiv held the Aspen Kyiv Challenge Forum: Community Challenges in Bucha, bringing together more than 300 teenagers from Bucha, Borodianka and Kyiv. Over two days, participants met with leaders from across public administration, business, culture, the volunteer and veteran community. Participants also worked in teams, learning how to turn ideas into solutions with the guidance from experts.

“It was a remarkable day, full of powerful energy that persisted despite everything. We created this initiative to support and develop the leadership potential of teenagers. We not only provide practical knowledge, but also help build communities where even the most ambitious ideas can become reality.

We want to engage young people in Ukraine’s recovery. We want them to stay in the country and feel confident that they are shaping what our future will look like – our communities and Ukraine as a whole,” said Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Kyiv.

“It is crucial for us that Ukrainian teenagers see themselves not as observers, but as active contributors to the country’s recovery and future. They need to know that their ideas matter, and that they will have the support of like-minded peers and adults who are ready to listen and trust them. This forum is exactly about that – about young people who do not postpone change, but shape the future here and now,” said Angelina Osadcha, Director of the Klitschko Foundation.

On the first day of the event, participants spoke with Matvii Bidnyi, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine; Serhii Prytula, volunteer, public figure and founder of the Serhii Prytula Charitable Foundation; Roman Hryshchuk, Member of Parliament; Anna Zavertailo, co-founder of a chain of bakeries and confectioneries; Yevhen Yanovych, actor and screenwriter; Ruslana Danylkina, veteran and team member at the Superhumans Center; Anita Lutsenko, trainer, nutritionist and founder of WOWBODY; and Mykola Riznyk, head of the Opishnia community. The discussions offered not only inspiration, but also practical tools and support to develop their own initiatives. 

“You need to keep the sense of responsibility within yourself and understand why something didn’t work out. If you blame the external factors, you lose your ability to influence  the situation,” said Matvii Bidnyi.

During the forum, participants also learned how to move from idea to solution, discussed the region’s top five challenges with local government representatives, practiced communication skills and presented their project ideas to experts, Tymur Demchuk, Head of Corporate Programmes at Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, and Yana Honcharenko, Director of Communications and Sustainable Development at Starlight Media.

In addition to the educational programme and inspiring speeches, participants also took part in a dance session led by choreographer Maks Leonov and a stress-relief workout with trainer and nutritionist Anita Lutsenko.

Over the next few months, the teams will continue developing their initiatives, which they will present at the final event – Solution Showcase – in February 2026.

The Aspen Kyiv Challenge project is implemented by the Aspen Institute Kyiv in partnership with the Aspen Institute Center for Rising Generations, with support of the Global Fund Aspen Institute International Partners, and in cooperation with the Klitschko Foundation.