The work of youth spaces: supporting young people in times of crisis

On February 7, the BSPU Leadership School, together with the Department of Social Work and Inclusive Education, held a meeting titled “The Work of Youth Spaces. Supporting Young People in Times of Crisis.” The event became a platform for professional dialogue on the role of youth centers in contemporary conditions and the responsibility of specialists working with young people.

The speaker of the event was Kateryna Prokhorova – psychologist, art therapist, and co-founder of the NGO Youth Without Barriers. During the meeting, participants explored the specific features of youth spaces using the example of the city of Zaporizhzhia. The speaker discussed which event formats are currently most in demand among young people, how to properly organize an event – from idea to implementation – and what competencies professionals need for effective work.

Special attention was given to the challenges faced by organizers and trainers of youth spaces in times of crisis. The discussion focused on:

• compliance with safety measures when planning events;
• the legal and ethical responsibility of organizers;
• risk management;
• balancing youth initiative with the responsibility of adult coordinators.

In the practical part of the meeting, participants practiced delegation skills – how to distribute responsibility within a team while simultaneously trusting young people. They discussed ways to maintain team resilience, methods of self-support, and providing first psychological aid under increased workload conditions.

Financial literacy was also addressed as a foundation for the stable operation of youth centers. Effective work requires not only ideas and enthusiasm but also грамотне resource management.

An important focus of the meeting was the topic of self-care. Kateryna Prokhorova emphasized that caring for one’s psychological well-being is not a sign of weakness, but a professional responsibility of organizers, trainers, and coordinators of youth initiatives.

The discussion also addressed the formation of a culture of self-care within youth center teams, including:

• creating a safe space for open discussion of difficult experiences;
• mutual support;
• normalizing rest;
• balanced workload distribution.

A stable and psychologically healthy team is a key condition for high-quality youth support and the long-term effectiveness of youth spaces in times of crisis.

Participants shared their reflections after the event.

“Thank you for the wonderful meeting and inspiring atmosphere. It was eye-opening for me to realize how many different skills are required to work with young people and how multitasking the roles of trainers and organizers are. I now value even more the diversity of topics we study at the university. I realized that volunteering and working in a youth center can become an excellent starting point for career growth and finding an engaging professional path. Thank you, Ms. Kateryna, for your work, and thank you to the Leadership School for introducing us to such inspiring people.” – Mariia, group 203 SR-z

“Once again, I became convinced of how important the role of a team is. You need people nearby who can help, support, and replace you when necessary. Teamwork always brings comprehensive results and helps achieve goals even when resources are limited. Thanks to this event, I understood what I can already do for myself. We often forget about self-care, which is the foundation of quality and effective work. Thank you, Ms. Kateryna, for your practical experience, and Ms. Alla for organizing such relevant meetings!” – Olena, group 405 SR-z

The event became not only a source of new knowledge but also a space for professional growth and rethinking the role of youth centers in supporting young people in conditions of uncertainty and crisis. Such meetings create an environment where future social workers gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical tools for responsible and sustainable professional activity.

The Leadership School’s events are implemented in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 – Quality Education; SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities; SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Based on materials prepared by: Alla Melnychuk,
Assistant of the Department of Social Work and Inclusive Education,
Coordinator of the Leadership School