ON the LINE Assessment of Perceptions, Opinions and Opportunities for Professional Technical College Students Growing up Near the Contact Line

YOUTH ON THE LINE Assessment of Perceptions, Opinions and Opportunities for Professional Technical College Students Growing Up Near the Contact Line

DRC December 2020 – April 2021 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Authors Note, Acknowledgements and Abbreviations 2

Introduction 5

1. Assessment Purpose and Methodology 6

2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict 9

3. Social Lives of PTC Teens 15

4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods 18

5. Youth Perceptions of Peers 25

6. Youth Opinions on the Peace Process 27

Conclusions 31

Works Cited 33

2 Authors Note, Acknowledgements and Abbreviations

Authors Note, Acknowledgements and Abbreviations

Authors’ Note Terminology: DRC uses the terminology style COVID-19: This Research was conducted guide put forward by OCHA (March 2020), during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic, adopting neutral terminology (e.g. NGCA, and the highest efforts were made to prevent or ‘de facto authorities’). However, charged the spread of illness during interviews, terminology (e.g. ‘occupied territories’ or including but not limited to the provision of ‘separatists’) is colloquial throughout Ukraine, and mandatory use of masks, sanitiser, social and when directly quoting an interview distancing and taking of body temperatures. subject, their wording has not been changed. This does not reflect on DRC’s position as a neutral and independent humanitarian organisation.

Acknowledgements Authors are grateful to the representatives ● Centre for Mother and Child in Druzhkivka of the following organisations for their participation and support in the Research: ● Department of Education Department of Family, Youth and Public ● In Donetsk Oblast: Hirnyk Professional ● Training Centre Events of National-Patriotic Education Central Department of the National Police ● Kramatorsk Higher Professional Centre ● (Juvenile Department) ● Mariupol Centre of Professional and Technical Education ● Employment Center in Slovyansk LLC “Info Sapiens International” (data ● Volnovakha Professional Training Centre ● collection)

3 Authors Note, Acknowledgements and Abbreviations

Abbreviations

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019

DRC Danish Refugee Council

DDG Danish Demining Group

EC Employment Center

EECP Entry-Exit Crossing Point

ERW Explosive Remnant of War

ESOMAR European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research

GCA Government Controlled Area(s)

IDP Internally displaced person

IOM International Organisation on Migration

KIIS Kyiv International Institute of Sociology

MHPSS Mental health and psycho-social support

NGCA Non-Government Controlled Area(s)

OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

PTC Professional Technical College

SCORE Social Cohesion and Reconciliation index

UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia (ISO currency code)

UN United Nations

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

UXO Unexploded ordnance

VEI Vocational Educational Institution

4 Introduction

Introduction

Over the course of the last six years, the the contact line or abroad. The conflict has situation in eastern Ukraine has evolved plunged the region into economic turmoil substantially from a large-scale rapid onset and disrupted significant industries in the humanitarian crisis in 2014 to its current state area. Many of these are the same industries in 2021, where the ‘triple nexus’ approach of that previously created the demand for the blending humanitarian, development and technical skills gained in PTCs and employed peace initiatives has gained traction. In late their graduates. 2015, DRC conducted research on the state of child protection, specifically focused on Primary quantitative data were collected in adolescents studying in Professional Technical four colleges in Donetsk Oblast, and thirteen Colleges (PTC) near the contact line. Nearly six qualitative interviews were conducted with years later, given the changing environment relevant stakeholders. The report provides and the growing body of research and comparative analysis not only between DRC’s 2016 report and newly collected data but literature in the area, DRC has revisited the also considers research conducted by other initial questions and findings to assess international organisations in 2018 and 2019. perceptions, opinions and opportunities for college students growing up near the The report has collected key findings across contact line to produce this report. a number of thematic areas: Sixty survey participants, just children at the ● Conflict-related threats faced by youth start of the conflict, were interviewed as they embark on their semi-independent lives as ● The social lives and leisure enjoyed by young adults, looking forward to obtaining youth degrees and careers. It is a pivotal time in a ● Vocational education and livelihoods for person’s life, and as the title of the report, Youth youth On the Line, implies, their futures in Donbas are held in precarious balance. The region’s ● Young people’s perceptions and population already skews disproportionately involvement in the peace process elderly due to conflict-related displacement ● Young people’s perception of their peers and outmigration of young families and youth in NGCA and other conflict-affected groups to more stable towns and cities away from

5 1. Assessment Purpose and Methodology

1. Assessment Purpose and Methodology

Background and Purpose From November 2015 until January 2016, DRC or caregivers. This was published in the report, conducted an assessment in Donetsk Oblast Risk of Adolescent Involvement in Military to obtain a broad understanding of the state Activities in Ukraine. The report suggested of child protection in the region in the early that in conflict-affected areas, PTC students, stages of the conflict, in particular amongst especially those who come from NGCA without youth in Professional Technical Colleges their parents, were particularly vulnerable (PTCs). It is common in Ukraine for 14–18-year- to involvement in armed forces/groups or old adolescents from rural areas and small sexual exploitation and revealed that due to towns to enter PTCs in other cities, where they limited resources, PTCs struggled to provide live in dormitories — in an unfamiliar place an adequate protective environment and away from their family, unattended by parents extracurricular activities for students.

Available Literature In the intervening years, a number of other (2018), focused on trafficking-related issues relevant reports have been published by both nationwide. The UN Working Group on DRC and other organisations and are cited Youth’s, The State of Youth in Ukraine (2019), a herein. They include the joint DRC-UNICEF robust report looking at youth nationwide, as Mine Victim Assistance Needs Assessment well as UNICEF’s Risk, Resilience and the Role (2018), focused on the impact of the mine of School Connectedness in the Development of and UXO accidents on children and youth in Adolescents in VET Institutions (2020) focused eastern Ukraine, and DRC’s, Good Practices on students in eastern Ukraine using the of Youth Employment, Labour Market and SCORE methodology. This is not an exhaustive Entrepreneurship (2019), a comparative list, but these reports were particularly helpful study of youth experiences in Ukraine, in complimenting the primary data collected Georgia, Estonia, Poland and the UK. External as part of this report. This report also takes publications focused on youth in Ukraine advantage of previous literature using the include IOM’s Protection Of Vulnerable same or similar questions to track changes Children And Youth In Ukraine from Trafficking over time.

Objectives of the Assessment: While the conflict remains active in eastern households and duty bearers, including those Ukraine, the context has changed substantially PTC students and stakeholders involved in since DRC’s initial research was published in the interests of young people. Owing to the 2016. Evolving legislation, the presence of the evolving situation, DRC decided to revisit its humanitarian community, and the structure, earlier 2016 research to gain new insights intensity and duration of the armed conflict in that will inform the design and strategy of the vicinity have all influenced the resources DRC’s youth protection programme in the and coping strategies of conflict-affected coming years.

6 1. Assessment Purpose and Methodology

The objectives of the study were as follows: for development and prospects for future employment of youth; 1. To assess the risks faced by adolescents (girls and boys aged 13 to 18 years) studying 2. To understand the perception of and in PTCs in the Donetsk region, to identify involvement of youth in the peace process. the existing mechanisms for protecting the rights of the child, and to study opportunities

Methodology Primary data collection was conducted ● Parents of the students (four in total) and transcribed in December 2020 by the ● Centre for Mother and Child in Druzhkivka consultancy firm InfoSapiens, in four locations in GCA Donetsk oblast, all less than 20 km from ● Department of Education the contact line. The following institutions, two in the largest cities (Mariupol and Kramatorsk) ● Department of Family, Youth and Public and two in smaller towns (Volnovakha and Events of National-Patriotic Education Hyrnyk), were selected for the assessment: ● Central Department of the National Police ● Hirnyk Professional Training Centre (Juvenile Department) ● Kramatorsk Higher Professional Centre ● Employment Center in Slovyansk ● Mariupol Centre of Professional and Graph 1. Profile of student interview subjects Technical Education Gender ● Volnovakha Professional Training Centre Enumerators conducted interviews with 1001 students across the four institutions, selected semi-randomly by enumerators based on who 62% 32% Boys Girls was present at the time. The questionnaire includes relevant questions from DRC’s 2016 assessment, as mentioned earlier, as well as questions from the Social Cohesion and Age Reconciliation (SCORE) index [CITATION Dag19 \l 1033] and the IOM youth trafficking 14-15 26% survey [CITATION IOM19 \l 1033] adapted for the assessment. 16-17 61% Additionally, in-depth key informant interviews (KII) were conducted with the 18 13% following groups/stakeholders in GCA Donetsk Oblast: Home of origin ● PTC Students (two in total) Local 70% ● PTC Teachers of the students (two in total) Relocated 30% 1 Considering the total PTC student population in Donetsk oblast is approx. 13,500, this represents a 95% confidence level, with less than 10% margin of error. IDP 1%

7 1. Assessment Purpose and Methodology

Interviewers and moderators followed DRC’s to delinking any identifying information from ethical data collection checklist and ESOMAR the responses provided. The quotations from Code. The subject matter of this research is KII are also presented without the possibility sensitive, and efforts were made to protect the to identify the respondent. respondent’s privacy, including but not limited

Limitations The survey should be considered exploratory the opinions of a few interviewed individuals, in nature. As such, a number of limitations can which helped deepen the understanding of be observed: the results obtained through the quantitative analysis. ● This data-set cannot and does not reflect the perceptions and experiences of young ● The questions about perceptions of the people living in NGCA, thus omitting fully half peace process are sensitive for the students. As of the picture. Up to the time of writing, this such, enumerators experienced varying levels type of social research has not been welcomed of sincerity. Students always had the option by the de facto authorities in NGCA. to decline to answer. After the interview, the enumerators were asked to self-evaluate ● Because of the limited sample size and PTC the sincerity of respondents, based on their focus, the quantitative survey results cannot be observations during the interview process; statistically representative of the opinions of 5% of respondents were marked as insincere, all youth in the Donetsk region, GCA. Likewise, which Info Sapiens remarked was a relatively the qualitative part of the survey represents high number in their experience.

8 2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict

2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict

As an organisation focused on protection, DRC threats to their well-being, safety or dignity was particularly interested in the risks young resulting from the conflict. It seems evident people face due to the armed conflict in eastern that, to some extent, they are shielded Ukraine. The December 2020 assessment from the conflict to live ordinary teenage allowed DRC to monitor changes and update lives and prefer not to discuss the impact information from a similar March 2016 case of the conflict openly. Additionally, there study conducted by a DRC’s consultant, Oleksii has been some level of normalisation over Lazarenko, Risk of Adolescent Involvement in the six years while students have grown up Military Conflict in Ukraine. It was also possible in the area, so only the annoyances come to observe the tendencies over time by to mind. One of the interviewed boys, 16 comparing the answers from PTC students in years old, commuting from Mangush to Donetsk Oblast in 2020 in this assessment to attend classes in Mariupol must necessarily those surveyed nationally by IOM in 2018, as pass the Mariupol checkpoint, said that the same or similar questions were used for the ‘Although, it is unlikely …of course it would be data collection (see chart 1,2). Nevertheless, better, to remove these checkpoints…. I have the report does not attempt to explain the to get up early to go to college, especially for differences in some responses between the lessons, earlier than before. Because when they two assessments since different target groups stop you, you have to stand there [checkpoint and geographical locations were covered. queue] from the early morning. This is irritating… it just makes me uncomfortable….’ Students interviewed about which risks they experienced fumbled a bit for examples of

Graph 2. Has anyone ever offered you to take part in risky activities such as...

Never been oﬀered any risky proposals

To work in the other settlement in Ukraine / other than your place of residence, without oﬀicial employment To try drugs (including legal, which are sold in a pharmacy) To take part in a military conflict in the military operations area, JFO (excluding military conscription) To run suspicious or illegal work that is well paid

To work in another country without oﬀicial employment

To take part in erotic photo sessions or to work in sex business

To get acquainted with the wealthy for meeting or marriage

To go to JFO zone to earn money (not including contracted military service) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 DRC 2020 assessment of Donetsk PTC students IOM 2018 assessment of PTC students nationally 9 2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict

Graph 3. Would you accept the following proposals from someone you know (friends/parents/neighbors etc)? To work in the other settlement in Ukraine / other than your place of residence, without oﬀicial employment To work in another country without oﬀicial employment To run suspicious or illegal work that is well paid To get acquainted with the wealthy for meeting or marriage To take part in erotic photo sessions or to work in sex business To try drugs (including legal, which are sold in a pharmacy)

Wouldn’t consider any risky proposal

To go to JFO zone to earn money (not including contracted military service) To take part in a military conflict in the military operations area, JFO (excluding military conscription) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 DRC 2020 assessment of Donetsk PTC students IOM 2018 assessment of PTC students nationally

Underage Involvement in Hostilities Through this assessment, it is possible to “I can say that it was only in 2014 when compare teen responses from 2016 to 2020 as Slovyansk was under occupation, that many of the same questions were asked in the [adolescents] were recruited. Well, they were 2016 DRC report. Attitudes have shifted slightly not recruited, but they put everyone in a line over time, but not in purely one direction or and took them into the militia, and there were another. For instance, students of 2020 are some teenagers. These were isolated cases, but much less likely to say they would leave school they did occur. But that’s it. After 2014, there to join up for an adventure but much more were no such cases.” likely to join up if circumstances forced them. This is difficult to explain without further While it is not possible to say that no such exploration fully. One possibility is that after incidents occur, the number of students nearly seven years of violence, ‘frontline life’ who say they know of cases of adolescents’ has lost some of the hero’s narrative, which has involvement has decreased, and the been supplanted by a high level of fatigue from percentage of those who would consider the protracted armed conflict. Meanwhile, an opportunity to join the conflict has been economic depression compounded by the on the decline and this issue was not raised State of the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic has as a priority concern by the UN Youth put families closer to the edge, relying on report [CITATION Uni19 \l 1033]. All negative financial coping strategies, of which this combined indicates a positive trend this could be one. that adolescent involvement in hostilities has become less of an immediate protection A law enforcement officer working specif- concern, but the economic situation of young ically with adolescents commented that people and their families should be monitored closely as a potential influencing factor. 10 2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict

2016 2020 Do you know of any cases of participation of persons under 18 years of age in hostilities? I have never heard about such cases 51% 73% Yes, I know such cases 16% 11% My friends/people I know told me, but I do not personally know 24% 10% any such cases No answer/other 1% 6% Let us imagine the following situation: you are offered to take part in hostilities (they promise to provide you with a uniform, weapons, and decent wages), to feel like an adult, “cool”, and important person, although you will have to miss classes at school, leave the dorm (home). Your actions: I will definitely agree: it is an adventure and adult life! 19% 5% I will agree only if the circumstances force me/other circumstances 8% 24% I will not agree 70% 58% No answer/Other 1% 6% How do you feel about the fact that there could be a guy or girl your age participating in the hostilities? It is fine 3% 10% I object; it is illegal 28% 26% I object; it is stupid 62% 59% No answer 7% 5% Local residents, including youth, have ‘banya’. The boys returned the tablet to the sol- acclimated to the presence of the military and diers, who gave them a bit of money for it. This do not care or are not troubled by their presence. does not appear to show any particular change One boy, when asked about a large number of from 2016, where already it was reported: military personnel in his community, just said: “adolescents living in the immediate combat “... it does not bother me. I would even say they area do not notice [military holding arms in are just ordinary people.” public places or movement of military vehicles]. The presence of a large number of armed He then told a story about how, once, while people and armoured vehicles in the streets of walking with a friend, they found a tablet com- their towns and cities is ordinary and familiar puter left behind by the military. They called for them” [CITATION Ale16 \p 15 \ l 1033]. the first number that came up to find out it be- longed to military personnel resting near the

Psychological Trauma and Stress One student explained very clearly that have suffered; someone may be hurt [by the they do not talk about the risks and ef- conversation]. …If one of the students’ father fects of the armed conflict because they do died while defending Donbas and we start not want to trigger other people’s trauma: talking about this now, the child will remember, “We are not talking about this because we “shit, my dad is dead”, and he will have a understand that some of the students could breakdown. We can make him depressed and

11 2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict so on. We are not talking about this to not harm will take me somewhere to a café, and we will another person’s psychological well-being.” sit down and talk, and they will calm me down.” He explained that although they do not talk Concerns about the psychological well-being about it, of course, he understands that, of young people were raised repeatedly “for me, it is negative in the sense that many by adult interview subjects and have been children have already suffered from [the widely studied and documented as a critical conflict]. Some lost a father or a mother. Maybe threat in the context of eastern Ukraine. The some have lost their arms or legs. …For me, first year of college is a challenging time for this is painful. And if I find an opportunity to adolescents. Adolescents are going through send money to help someone, I try to do it.” physical, intellectual, personality, and social developmental changes, making them more When asked if the situation with the vulnerable to mental health problems. armed conflict in Donbas affected the A parent of a young PTC student explained: youth in the city today, he answered: “It would be good to have a psychologist to “I think so, because you know they became a whom the youth could address their problems, little more sympathetic and kinder, in the sense who would give professional advice. They do that…we already understand, damn it is a pity not want to share some concerns with parents for this child. He lost his arm or a leg, and he and need someone neutral whom they could needs an urgent operation. The operation is trust and talk to.” expensive. But if you count in such a way that several people, for example, 10,000 people, will Each year of the armed conflict is threaten- send him at least 100 UAH, we can all pay for ing the psychological well-being of millions the operation. In this sense, we have become of people in Donbas, especially children; kinder.” for instance, UNICEF succinctly warned: ‘the clock on the development of this generation This suggests that even students who have not of adolescents is ticking: until the conflict been directly affected by the conflict seem to ends, the psycho-social and sociopolitical have absorbed the trauma and stress of the development of many conflict-hardened broader community. The fact that charity and adolescents will inevitably be distorted, with support for others is one way of confronting negative long-term consequences in their own and alleviating that stress for students is lives as well as for their communities [CITATION encouraging. Lor19 \p 46 \l 1033]’ Another student studying in Kramatorsk ex- UNICEF’s recommendations, echoed by DRC, pressed a concern related to other peoples’ including scaling up the provision of psycho- trauma, suffering and worries about trigger- social assistance to educational professionals ing other peoples’ bad experiences of the and institutions, especially near the contact conflict. He explained why they do not talk line. about the risks and experience of conflict and prefer to focus on the present and class- Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has es instead. When asked about the risks as- aggravated the psychological stress and sociated with armed conflict, he explained: illnesses of the conflict-affected population, “No, it does not affect. But if some of the other which is also outlined in the Humanitarian students are somehow worried…then the Needs Overview – 2021. The report Mental teachers will always help us. We will always be Health in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts – 2018 reassured that ‘all is well,’ ‘all will be good.’ For [CITATION KII18 \p 4 \l 1033] highlighted example, I worry that there are children right three unfavourable conflict-related factors now experiencing hunger because of the war, in the environment undermining the mental the teachers will calm me down a little. They health of children, including 1) the whole

12 2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict family suffering from accumulated stress related factors have been somehow replicated 2) interrupted studies due to damages and and further entrenched by Covid-19 from closure of schools and the need to study family stress, school and college closures and remotely and 3) constant uncertainty and a general atmosphere of uncertainty. perceived lack of prospects. All three conflict-

Mine and ERW Accidents A law enforcement officer working spe- rather by children actively disturbing or cifically with adolescents commented, otherwise handling ERW’ [CITATION DRC18 \p “we have some risks [associated with the armed 20 \l 1033 ]. conflict], and these are explosive items. … Because the ammunition that some teenagers Adults interviewed repeatedly express concern find is interesting [to them], there is a risk that for young people who are curious and intrigued they will be injured if they find some objects and pick up and handle found items and risk that then detonate.” getting hurt or killed. One teacher explained, “we constantly talk about this [with students]. A parent expressed fear for their child due to We warn them not to touch, where to call the contamination in the forest where they like to hotline, we explain that it is very dangerous. picnic, hike and pick mushrooms. But, we are afraid of the consequences that Between spring 2014 and 2021, DRC has re- take place after the military conflict. And these corded approximately 2,096 mine/ERW casu- are young people — they are curious, especially alties, of which the vast majority are adult boys. They need to take everything apart, bring men. That said, as of April 2021, DRC has it home and disassemble it, and this is very recorded 77 adolescent (12-17 yrs) casual- dangerous.” ties and 37 casualties under the age of 12. Unfortunately, the evidence validates their [CITATION DRC21 \l 1033] DRC’s previous fear; 73% of accidents recorded by DRC are Mine Victim Needs Assessment, conducted caused by someone picking up, tampering, together with UNICEF, found those child vic- handling or playing with the item.[CITATION tims are more likely to be involved in an acci- DRC21 \l 1033] This issue was also identified dent with an ERW, rather than mines, adding, through the Child Mine Victim Needs ‘Accidents are not generally caused by Assessment (DRC-DDG, 2019). inadvertent contact with such devices but

Key Takeaways Risks associated with the armed conflict, remain an essential factor for school-age including contacts with armed actors, children. The primary conflict-related threats checkpoints and EECPs, the prevalence of to adolescents’ well-being and safety appear mines and UXOs do exist in the area and to be psychological trauma, stress and mental should be monitored and addressed. However, health, as highlighted in KIIs. Secondarily, a despite their proximity to the contact line, perceived lack of economic opportunity and these factors appear to be slightly declining stability exacerbated by the conflict makes and are not the primary threats faced by them more vulnerable to risky labour practices adolescents studying at PTCs in Donetsk and rights violations both during and after oblast, based on the key informant interviews leaving college, which is explored further in and the primary data collection. On the other Chapter 4. hand, the risks associated with mine and UXOs

13 2. Threats Associated with the Armed Conflict

Recommendations: ● Interventions that increase the coverage decaying infrastructure to give adolescents a and availability of psycho-social support for sense of pride and belonging, or structured youth, educators and parents will be beneficial. extracurricular activities, or life skills courses This should extend beyond standard entry to help the transition to independence. assessments (e.g. suicide or self-harm risk) but provide an additional layer of protection ● Whether related to mental health or for adolescents. explosive ordnance risk awareness, creating youth-friendly spaces or activities, young ● Interventions that reduce environmental people have agency, creativity and capacity stressors and ease the transition of students to design projects and create content. It is from living at home to living independently with essential for technical experts, like those hired their peer group will be beneficial. This could by the humanitarian community, to co-create vary widely from location to location based on and co-operate in meaningful ways with young the school and student population profile. It people to reduce their vulnerability to conflict- could include, for example, rehabilitation of related threats in their environment.

14 3. Social Lives of PTC Teens

3. Social Lives of PTC Teens

In DRC’s 2016 report, the author remarked, ‘there are no such extracurricular facilities ‘VEIs in the Region of Donetsk are largely in united territorial communities in Donetsk, limited in resources and cannot offer an Kharkiv and Luhansk oblasts. Indeed, in adequate protective environment and support addition to the aggravating elements already for their students. There are not enough leisure mentioned, young people do not have any options for young people beyond learning. In decent places to spend their leisure time’ the framework of humanitarian programmes in [CITATION Uni19 \p 67 \l 1033]. response to the emergency due to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the adolescents are a The prevalence of a variety of structured, neglected group as the vast majority of activities youth-oriented activities and spaces is for children’s protection in emergencies were naturally concentrated in denser urban areas focused on children of pre-school and primary such as Mariupol or Kramatorsk, a fact that was not lost on interview subjects. school age’ [CITATION Ale16 \p 7 \l 1033]. In the intervening years, DRC and others have A 2018 study looked at the risk behaviour sought to work with adolescents as a unique outcomes of nearly 7000 Czech adoles- demographic with unique needs and agency in cents by studying the proportion of their their communities. For instance, renovations free time spent in ‘unstructured activities’ of youth rooms and PSS rooms in five PTCs such as hanging out with friends, versus in Donetsk and Luhansk oblast, development ‘structured leisure-time activities’ which are ‘characterised by having a certain structure, and certification of the curriculum for life a regular schedule, clearly defined goals and skills and disaster risk reduction and working rules, focusing on skill-building and being with youth on developing, implementing adult-supervised.’ and managing the budgets for their own community-based initiatives. Other local The study found that while structured ac- actors such as the contemporary arts NGO tivities did not entirely prevent adoles- Platform Tuy and M-Sport and the initiative of cents from engaging in risky behaviour, Mariupol City council have made very popular ‘Those highly engaged only in unstructured efforts to engage youth. activities were more likely to participate in the health-risk behaviours and report Despite the efforts of many actors several worse academic achievement than those years later in 2019, the UN still made the participating in any organised leisure time sweeping observation: activities’ [CITATION Pet18 \l 1033 ].

In Our Free Time… Both students interviewed talked a lot “I sing and dance. I’m a creative person. For about spending their free time in unstruc- the guys, it is more sports, football, basketball. tured leisurely ways, walking around with …and the girls too - we have a lot of athletes. their friends, going to cafés with friends We go to the park, café. You can go to the and spending time online and to a less- cinema. We have parties, and we celebrate er extent in structured school and sport- someone’s birthday together in a café. …we are ing activities. A student from Kramatorsk all very involved. In the sense that if there is a paints an entirely normal teenage picture: competition or flash mob, then everyone works

15 3. Social Lives of PTC Teens on it. If we have some kind of concert or make “now it is trendy for them to be at hookah bars… a recording for Christmas, we all somehow try in the evenings. …because our legislation … to help. We put ourselves forward as actors does not prohibit minors.” even if we do not know how to act! … we play games and run and jump around. We behave Through communication with PTCs students, like children; we can indulge a little.” DRC identified low social activity among young people: 52% do not take part in any social Another student chatting about his hobbies events in their community; 60% explained that and free time said: they had never participated in any organised “We walk around and we are on the internet, events in their place of living. Furthermore, of course. Almost all young people are now while operating in colleges in Donetsk Oblast, hanging out on the internet, and I’m no DRC noticed a lack of social activity among the exception! …there is very little entertainment teachers and PTC authorities. Simply young in Mangush. Playgrounds, perhaps, but this PTC’s attendees do not have an example to is for very young children. … Here, we have look up to and follow. competitive powerlifting, which is what I was doing, but it is a bit of a struggle. …I used to This concern is echoed by both the Czech play football. Now I am not so fond of sports study, highlighting that more unstructured because I used to love parkour too, but a year leisure correlated with worse outcomes for or two ago I jumped from roof to roof, fell and health-risk behaviours (including tobacco use) broke my arm and leg, so not much after that. [CITATION Pet18 \l 1033]. The UN State of the …in my free time, there is nowhere to put it. Youth report highlights that in 2017 one in ten And young people should probably be full of children has tried tobacco by the age of 11. energy.” Nearly 19% are current tobacco users between the ages of 15-24, and only half of the youth A law enforcement officer working with believe that hookah can damage your health. juveniles highlighted that hanging out [CITATION Uni19 \p 24 \l 1033]. at cafes is not without risks, explaining,

Key Takeaways Throughout the report, it is predictable and was organising contests and concerts students evident that teens spend a lot of their free and liked participating. Research suggests that social time in unstructured ways with their more of these structured leisure activities friends, mostly walking around and hanging with schedules, rules and adult supervision out with friends, playing sports, visiting can contribute to greater outcomes for young cafes and spending time on social media. people. Additionally, students expressed an There was a high level of affection among interest in wanting to help their community the students interviewed for the teachers and those affected by the conflict. working at the PTCs and where the college

Recommendations ● As mentioned in the previous chapter, ● Meeting students where they already further engagement with youth should gravitate and enjoy engaging them on topics capitalise on their agency and desire to that will be raised throughout this report. This contribute to solutions in their community. could include, for example, hosting a ‘World Café’ format in a favourite local café.

16 3. Social Lives of PTC Teens ● While there are playgrounds for small internships and odd jobs. They are also likely children and outdoor single-user fitness or better positioned to support the design equipment are prevalent, consider outdoor of social media outreach campaigns than spaces that are safe and inviting for youth and traditional humanitarian staff or consultants adults. For example, ‘adult-playgrounds’ that and could be engaged in this type of activity, encourage physical activity through fun and for example. collaborative play or investment in municipal parks that are clean and well-lit. ● The aspect of youth social life in smaller towns is not fully addressed. It is recommended ● While access to NGCA remains limited, to increase the social activity options for youth social media is a natural entry point. As in smaller communities, e.g. support to youth discussed in chapter 4, students yearn for clubs, youth CBIs, support for sports clubs etc. opportunities to make a little money, do

17 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

Basic Needs and Livelihoods while Enrolled The majority of surveyed students express “490UAH (~13 Euro) is the average scholarship that basic needs are primarily met, including for academic performance. …We had a delay in housing, heating, food, health care and the first months and then were given double the physical safety. For the most part, PTC students following month. This kind of problem occurred live in dormitories, paid for as part of their because it was the beginning of the year, and tuition, which can offer some stability in terms then it was not a problem again.” of meeting the basic needs of adolescents. Both students interviewed remarked However, where the students’ satisfaction that the low scholarships and delayed drops off is in regard to feeling unsafe walking payments create issues, and they do not feel at night, police protection, reliability of comfortable asking parents who also have social payments in the future, in particular low incomes for additional money. One said, the openness of the authorities to contrary viewpoints.

Graph 4.

To what extent are you satisfied with your level of access to affordable housing? To what extent are you satisfied with your level of access to affordable heating? To what extent are you satisfied with the quality of food you can afford? To what extent do you have sufficient access to basic medical services? To what extent are you satisfied with the number of green spaces in the place where you live?

To what extent do you feel safe from violence in your daily life? To what extent do you feel free to get together with like- minded people and publicly express your collective views? To what extent do you feel that you have or will have a safe basic income? To what extent would you feel safe walking alone in the street at night? To what extent do you feel that the communities you identify with can publicly express their beliefs and ways of life? To what extent do you feel free to engage in your religious/ spi- ritual or other practices that are culturally important to you? To what extent do you feel confident that the police or other institutions can protect you from violence? To what extent are you satisfied with the range of specialized medical services to which you have access ? To what extent do you feel that you can rely on social payments (e.g. unemployment benefits, pension) if ever in need of them? To what extent do you think that the authorities are open to hear points of view that are diﬀerent from their own? 0 20 40 60 80 100 Very satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat unsatisfied Very unsatisfied Refuse Don’t know 18 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

Vocational Education and Career Planning The DRC EU4Youth programme research “Good of students paying some money to an practices of youth employment, labour market employer to ‘get the stamp’ on their internship and entrepreneurship based on the experi- paperwork without earnestly participating ences of Poland, Estonia, and the UK” — 2019 in the internship. Low participation on confirms that young people are a vulnerable the part of employers may in part be due group in the labour market: “Youth unemploy- to the drawbacks of working with young, ment rates are very high compared to overall inexperienced people. Additionally, the averages. This stems from the difficulties of substantial bureaucratic burden should not entering the labour market. Barriers include be underestimated. The HR specialist shared the shortage of job opportunities, skills mis- an 11-step process for the hiring organisation, matches, a lack of work experience, lacunae including agreements between the employer in basic skills and knowledge, poor support and the college, preparing orders, medical for entering the labour market and poorly de- examinations, specialised requirements for veloped public employment services that are working with minors and etc. While all are in needed to provide tailored services to young agreement that internships are beneficial, the people, particularly the most vulnerable.” bureaucratic burden is substantial to receive someone who, by definition, has little to no Both interviewed students remarked experience. that because their scholarships are pret- ty low, they were eager to find some part- During the interview, one boy studying cu- time work or odd jobs to have a bit of ex- linary profession in Kramatorsk was mo- tra spending money but found this difficult tivated and confident about being able because of their age. One boy lamented, to find employment after graduation,- ex “if only in Kramatorsk there were more plaining that he had some understanding opportunities to earn some extra money of the demand and regularly monitored job somewhere…some small side jobs. We have listings and received career counselling, a scholarship that is 500UAH/month. For a “Personally, I look through the websites student, 500UAH will last only (laughs) a day! because there is always demand. … I have One day but not a month. Sure, our parents give already started looking for myself where I can us a little bit of money so we can buy food. But work when I turn 18. …Yeah, it is not going to be for leisure? Where can we get money for this? a problem.” We are always trying to find something to earn extra money. But there are not many part-time This confidence corresponds with the fact jobs, and I would like it if we had an internship that 85% of survey respondents said that they so that we can continue to earn some money were confident that they would have at least a while still studying.” basic income level after graduation. However, both the UN youth report and DRC’s The State of the Youth in Ukraine agrees, interview with the Donetsk Regional Employ- recommending that, ment Centre highlighted the prevalence of stu- ‘internships should be more widely considered dents having to take work outside of the area as a beneficial experience, as to date despite they studied. Primarily, parents and students current provisions in the employment law, there overestimated the market demand in that is very low participation’ [CITATION Uni19 field and/or low wages in the chosen field. The \p 41 \l 1033]. employment centre roughly estimated that The issue of official internships is a nuanced 1/3 of unemployed job-seekers are graduates, one. One HR specialist explained that, on ‘and only 13-15% of them are employed in their the one hand, there is already the practice profession’. 19 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

The UN youth report highlights major gaps as: focus on fields such as ‘business and law’ which ‘Ill-considered choice of career path and, a exceeds labour demand. [and] Ineffective related underutilisation of the vocational mechanisms for easing the extant skill education system. This problem arises as mismatch - stemming from poor labour demand a consequence of insufficient attention on forecasting and a lack of employer involvement career counselling activities from government in education systems. This results in part from bodies, educational institutions and employers, the absence of a system for forecasting labour especially at general secondary schools. … demand, as well as inadequate employer The limited promotion of higher education involvement education and training systems’ institutions that continue to push for increased [CITATION Uni19 \p 39 \l 1033 ]. enrolment and which within higher education

Outmigration and Urbanization Of those who knew where they wanted to set- But it should still be noted that, while not tle after graduation, on the whole, 53% want- a major metropolitan area, Kramatorsk is ed to remain where they were, but this figure a significant city in the region, and when is not evenly distributed among urban and combined with neighbouring Slovyansk, peri-urban/rural areas. Students from Hirnyak, the population is over 260,000 inhabitants. a relatively small town compared to Mariupol Likewise, an interviewed boy studying welding or Kramatorsk, are more willing to move to in Mariupol but living in nearby Mangush said, bigger towns as there are more job opportuni- “It is hard in Mangush because it is a rather ties available. A Save the Children assessment small town, but in Mariupol, I asked people and from 2019 also confirmed the tendency for they [found work] with no problems.” young people to move from small settlements: ‘in discussions with older adolescents (two with A key informant stated that the low salaries boys and one with girls), children explained that offered by employers in Ukraine are unexpected they did not think they would have a good future by students and a major contributing factor to if they remained in their settlements. Instead, outmigration, estimating that if the salary for they spoke about their plans to migrate, either technical professions is less than 800 USD/ too large cities like Kharkiv or Kyiv or abroad’ month, then young people will continue to migrate to places like Poland where they can [CITATION Hil19 \p 34 \l 1033]. earn the equivalent of 1000 USD/month. Migration was seen as a way of escaping limited career opportunities. One interviewed Due to the conflict-related exodus of younger student studying in Kramatorsk highlighted families from the area, eastern Ukraine is the outmigration as a potential benefit for already disproportionately elderly; 41% are students who planned to remain local, over the age of 60 [CITATION Pro20 \l 1033]. Perpetual conflict, received as intolerable “A lot of young people from Kramatorsk most by young people and limited economic often go to Kharkiv or Dnipropetrovsk or opportunity, risk skewing the regional somewhere in Western Ukraine. And because of demographic makeup even further. Given this, there are fewer workers in Kramatorsk and the role young people play not just in the lots of jobs.” workforce and the economy but also more broadly in society, this is a severe loss to the area.

20 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

Youth Entrepreneurship “we have a school for young entrepreneurs in Druzhkivka…. [students learn] how to start a Students interviewed expressed seri- business, what is, for example, a business plan ous reservations about starting their own in general and how to account for this or that. businesses, citing the high risk of fail- They carry out various challenges, training, ure and losing a person’s investment. competitions and lessons and form this This is consistent with the UN report, entrepreneurial spirit among young students. ‘the share of youth in self-employment is very Also… we have developed a career guidance small, although it is becoming more popular and entrepreneurship centre on our website among the younger demographics, and is or Google Play. All these basic requirements more common among young men than young for the possibility of choosing a profession and women’ [CITATION Uni19 \p 39 \l 1033]. the possibility of starting your own business, regulatory frameworks and how to attract Conversely, an interview subject from Donetsk different funding sources.” Regional Employment Centre explained that with the support of international assistance, they actively supported young entrepreneurs,

From Hobbyist to Business Owner: Darya, 21, Mariupol Darya lives in Mariupol, a city heavily polluted by industry but making strides to reinvent itself as the youthful, innovative hub of eastern Ukraine. Nearly all the characters of Darya’s story still work at ‘the plant,’ but Darya was determined to break the mould. After leaving school, she decided to study management and find a job outside of the plant. In her second year of university, along with a friend, they became interested in making resin jewellery and taught themselves the skills by watching videos online. They started small and posted their pieces on Instagram, finding customers that way at first. But professional equipment needed to expand their business was too expensive for the students. When Darya saw an advertisement for DRC’s #EU4Youth programme, they entered the competition and won! The grant enabled them to purchase a lathe, belt sander, drilling machine and respirators. Profits and efficiency are up, and these young entrepreneurs are taking orders from all over Ukraine, producing custom orders and planning to expand their business to global online platforms for hand-made goods.

21 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

Since 2018, DRC has been implementing has a low position in: support of entrepreneur- a youth-oriented livelihoods programme,2 ship in society; the willingness of entrepreneurs supporting young entrepreneurs and busi- to take a risk; the level of competition; opportu- ness owners financially. One story is show- nities to start-up business and to produce inno- cased below, but entrepreneurship and vations. In Ukraine, the regulatory environment business ownership indeed lag far behind has not been favourable to entrepreneurship, the Ukrainians preferred desire to gain em- but it has been improving due to the coopera- ployment in the private or public sector. tion with the EU’ (Entrepreneurship develop- ‘Compared to other European countries and ment strategy- Expert Vison. 2014). the average worldwide indicators, Ukraine

2 EU4Youth — Enhancing Youth Education, Employment and Participation in Conflict-affected Areas in Georgia and Ukraine

Informal Employment

As part of this assessment, it is possible to com- Graph 5. Youth working or willing to work pare PTC students surveyed by IOM in 2018, in Ukraine without official employment or UN in 2019 and DRC in 2020 about their readi- written contract ness to work informally without a contract and a high level of consistency is observed (right). IOM: 2018, national, 31% “Happily, the majority of young employees vocational students have a written contract (81.2%). Young fe male workers are more likely to have a written UN: 2019, national, contract than young men, and the likelihood youth 19% of having a written contract increases with age. Consequently, young adolescent males DRC: 2020, Donetsk (15–19) are the most vulnerable to exploitation oblast, PTC students 21% as a consequence of working without a written contract or agreement.” [CITATION Uni19 \p 39 \l 1033 ]

Key informants shared their concerns and reasons, among which administrative burden, mentioned risks related to informal employ- extra responsibility for underaged employment. There are only two employment options ees in terms of working hours (which should available for students while studying: part- be shorter than for adult employees, as per time jobs or work during summer holidays. Ukrainian legislation), ensuring safe working For example, students of culinary PTC get jobs conditions and social protection. Youth lacks at cafes and restaurants, but they are not em- knowledge on labour legislation and their ployed formally in most cases. It often results rights or remedies for solutions. Interestingly, in unlawful termination of jobs, delays with the State Employment body provides consul- payments or no payments. Salaries are often tations and support for official employment, paid “in the envelope” to avoid taxes, which is and there are also local budgets allocated at an overall tendency in the country observed local self-governments to support legal em- in the private business sector. Thus, there are ployment, but these options are less attractive no social guarantees for employed students in terms of vacancies and wages, or youth are as well. Employers are not interested in being not aware they exist. bound by contractual obligations due to many 22 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods

Employment Centers Notably, State Employment Centers actively However, the assessment indicates that youth reach out to youth, offering a number do not show much interest and are reluctant of services and supporting in career to visit or register at ECs unless they have to development, professional education and or are told by someone from their family or job search. ECs’ staff do consultancy work, educational institution. This finding correlates both at the centres and via mobile services, with the data from the DRC EU4Youth research visiting educational institutions, organising on youth employment: “Young people often information awareness sessions and job fairs try to find jobs in informal ways, through (targeting specifically PTC students). There personal connections. Many of them also use are many online platforms and services, such a proactive approach, such as job search on as an interactive map of vacancies, google the internet. In Ukraine, only 2% of students maps with e-passports of enterprises and expect help from the employment centre an educational platform to attend personal while about half expect support from parents and professional development training. The and relatives.” This might be due to the modernised, improved quality services and fact that there are requirements to attend active work of ECs are definitely noticed training for people registered at ECs. If they and appreciated by the PTC teachers, and refuse vacancies suggested by EC twice, the very positive feedback on their work and EC does not continue supporting them with new developments were shared by the a job search. The other reason is the type of Department of Education and Juvenile work and salary levels usually available for Police. The increase in the effectiveness of non-experienced young people, which are not EC’s work is also one of the key outcomes attractive for them. of DRC’ technical assistance under LAP and EU4Youth projects implemented since 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Key Takeaways Professional Technical Colleges play a valu- college and the reality they face entering the able role in Ukraine’s education system and labour market. Consequently, many young Ukraine’s labour market, going so far as to say people are unemployed and/or working out- they are underutilised in part due to a gener- side of the specialised area of study and/or mi- al lack of prestige. However, there is still a gap grate to larger cities or abroad in order to earn between students’ expectations going into a living wage.

Recommendations: ● Career counselling for both students and ● Interventions could encourage employers their parents/guardians already exists and of all sizes to participate in internship should be further promoted before enrolling programmes. This could take a variety of forms students in PTCs. More robust, localised labour from advocating for simplified procedures market assessments/projections and realistic in the labour code, working with institutions salary expectations would improve career and on identifying placements, supporting educational counselling quality. employers to understand and navigate the procedures. Creating more meaningful

23 4. Vocational Education, Employment and Youth Livelihoods internship placements will give young people entrepreneurship should still be nourished practical exposure to the workplace that will and cultivated in Ukraine. It is an area where serve them later in life. It is worth noting that innovation, flexibility and responsiveness international organisations and NGOs have to both local and global opportunities can not led in modelling this good practice and in flourish. That said, the skill set required to be the promotion of the unique skills of young a small business owner is vast and has to be people they work with. taught to young people who lack workplace experience. This might include master classes ● Although entrepreneurship, especially for or informational products on everything from young business owners, will remain somewhat online marketing and graphic design to fiscal a niche and the main income source for and labour codes. only a minority of young people, a spirit of

24 5. Youth Perceptions of Peers

5. Youth Perceptions of Peers Long term peace and stability processes are were reserved for armed groups in NGCA and predicated on groups identifying with shared Ukrainian nationalists, which could be argued, interests and can be undermined by radicals, represent the political extremes perpetuating spoilers and adversarial attitudes. For this the conflict (see Chapter 6). While their reason, this assessment made a preliminary warmest feelings were reserved for ethnic exploration of how youth perceive their Russians and IDPs living in the area who could counterparts who fall into a broad range of be argued, represent ‘ordinary’ people in the intersecting groups and how many contacts area with whom students are likely to have they have with them. had a lot of contacts and personal affiliation. This is more or less borne out in the second While it is not feasible to measure unconscious chart showing people with whom youth had biases as part of this assessment, at present, regular contacts. Preventing the radicalisation the majority of young people in Donetsk PTCs of an otherwise moderate youth population claim either affection or no particular feelings and building and maintaining contact and about a broad range of groups and do not claim affiliation among young people will be one of any particular adversarial feelings about peers many components of a confidence, peace and in NGCA or IDPs. Their more hostile opinions stabilisation process. Graph 6. How do you feel about your peers in the following groups? (answered on a scale of 1-10)

Ethnic Russians

Internally Displaced Persons who live in this region

People who support closer ties with Russia

People from Western Ukraine

People who support closer ties with Europe and the West

People currently living in NGCAs

Ukrainian Nationalists

Armed groups in NGCA 0 20 40 60 80 100 Warm & Aﬀectionate No specific feelings Cold & Hostile Decline/Don’t know

Graph 7. How often to you communicate with the following groups (answered on a scale of 1-10)

Ethnic Russians

Internally Displaced Persons who live in this region

People who support closer ties with Russia

People who support closer ties with Europe and the West

People currently living in NGCAs

Ukrainian Nationalists

People from Western Ukraine

Armed groups in NGCA 0 20 40 60 80 100 Often Sometimes Never/rarely Decline/Don’t know 25 5. Youth Perceptions of Peers

When discussing with a student how he UNESCO has collaborated with Nintendo.3 perceives his peers in NGCA, he responded: In Georgia, UNDP implemented a project, “I believe we are all just people, and all people “Peace Building Game On”, noting that are different. There is no point in insulting a “In Georgia, peer-to-peer contact between person who is simply from a different region Abkhaz and Georgian youth is rare, if non- that you do not even know. To say that he is existent. They live in separate worlds; their an enemy because he is from the territory of communities, until recently, wracked by the enemy of your country, it is just strange. conflict and infighting. Lack of information … I have talked with people from uncontrolled nourishes stereotypes and continues to play territories as well as refugees and. …Naturally, into prejudices about the other. All too often, everyone is different. There are people that I communities end up knowing precious little did not like, and there are normal people. … about their neighbours…. For many Georgian for example, when you enter a video game. You and Abkhaz youngsters, a virtual world is the meet him in the game. We played well together; only place they can meet and communicate. …. he communicates normally. … You do not even The new game is being developed within a joint notice that he is from an uncontrolled territory, confidence-building mechanism commissioned and I do not react to it anyway. It makes no by both the European Union and UNDP difference to me.” in Georgia.” [CITATION UND14 \l 1033] The notion of using social media and video Similar initiatives can be found around the games for peace and confidence-building and world, although none are engaged yet in working toward sustainable development Ukraine. goals is far from new. For example, since 2015,

Key Takeaways: Youth living and studying in PTCs appear other online platforms like multiplayer video open to dialogue and interactions with a games and online education. Ukraine is an broad range of groups affected by the conflict advantageous country for this type of activity and, for the most part, do not openly overtly given the ubiquitous use of smartphones, express radical viewpoints. Of course, this computers, and affordable internet does not account for the unconscious bias and availability. A global survey for Ukraine of the observer effect. Nonetheless, this could the efficacy and impact of these types of be a good starting point for peacebuilding initiatives which have been running for several initiatives involving youth. years, should be carried out, as there is always the risk, especially with new technology, that ● While access to NGCA, particularly for soft what looks innovative upfront on paper falls activities, is not feasible, engagement across short of a meaningful impact once the initial the contact line could be fostered through intrigue has worn off. collaborative social media campaigns and

3 https://mgiep.unesco.org/article/video-games-for-peace-and-sustainability 26 6. Youth Opinions on the Peace Process

6. Youth Opinions on the Peace Process

There have been measures in place to bring conflicts, and peace agreements to formally about a cessation of hostilities and resolution end conflicts have become increasingly to the conflict, primarily in the form of Minsk rare since the 1990s while negotiations I and II (more commonly called ‘the Minsk draw out indefinitely [CITATION Sta19 \l peace agreements’). Minsk II includes a 1033]. Multitrack diplomacy with greater package of 13 measures, including the call involvement afforded to civil society and for a complete ceasefire and comprehensive grassroots actors is gaining legitimacy. This ceasefire monitoring, the withdrawal of heavy can and should include the participation of artillery from the contact line, the opening young people who will ultimately inherit the of additional EECPs etc. However, they are outcomes. This assessment explores, on a considered a controversial issue in Ukraine preliminary basis, how young people perceive as well as in target settlements. There are and relate to their different peer groups on growing evidence that traditional diplomacy all sides of the conflict (see chapter 5) as well of leader-to-leader negotiations has become as their perceptions of the peace process on less effective in resolving contemporary the whole.

Opinions and Preferences The two students interviewed in depth did Despite this, students in the broader survey not openly express strong opinions either easily expressed opinions on many relevant way and, in fact, expressed that they had subjects, such as the level of responsibility very little interest in politics. One was saying, different parties have in perpetuating the “we do not like politics at all here. Especially current conflict, their preferences for different when you are going for a walk and talking outcomes, and their attitudes toward Minsk about politics. Actually, I hate that.” agreements.

Graph 8. Who do you think is responsible for perpetuating the military conflict in Donbas

Central authorities in Ukraine

Ukrainian Nationalists

Armed groups in 'DPR' and 'LNR'

Russia

Ukrainian Oligarchs

The Western Countries

0 20 40 60 80 100

A lot of blame Some blame No blame Decline/don’t know

Of those who responded, 75% of teens nobody is interested in the youth’s opinion, believe that the interests of young people and that young people are not experienced are not considered in an attempt to solve enough to be listened to. We may assume that the armed conflict. When they were asked if we put the question about considering the about the reason for such an opinion, they interests of ordinary people in the attempts said that nobody wants to listen to the youth, to solve the military conflict, the answers

27 6. Youth Opinions on the Peace Process would be the same because, according One reading of these statistics collectively to the youth, ordinary people want peace is that teens have somehow perceived a while politicians are interested in conflict. systemic failure that has given priority to Somewhat interestingly, young people assign political and military objectives above peace, responsibility for the conflict reasonably stability and economic opportunity for the evenly across a wide variety of stakeholders youth population. rather than overwhelmingly to one or another.

Graph 9. How would you evaluate each of the following options regarding the future of areas in Donetsk and Luhansk not currently under the control of the Ukraine government, also known as ‘DPR’ and ‘LPR’?

Remain part of Ukraine, with special autonomy status

Remain part of Ukraine, with the same status of all other oblasts in Ukraine Become internationally recognized independent countries

Become part of the Russian Federation

Just maintain the current military and political situation 0 20 40 60 80 100 Highly desirable Satisfactory Tolerable if necessary Entirely unacceptable No response

As illustrated below, students of the PTCs should be placed on military operations. interviewed believe that the most desirable Key-informant interviews support such a solution is for NGCA to remain part of Ukraine, tendency. A law enforcement officer explained, whether with some autonomous status or the “We have young people who are not as same decentralised status as all other oblasts aggressive as adults. Our youth is more in Ukraine. Somewhat surprisingly, even inclined to a peaceful resolution of the outcomes widely understood to be wholly conflict. While the adults aged 30-40 are either unpalatable, including ceding the territory or pro-Ukrainian or pro-Russian — there are only complete independence, are preferred over two points of view for them. And the conflicts maintaining the current military and political arise between these two points. [In contrast,] situation. Of course, these potential outcomes the youth mostly support a peaceful settlement lack nuance and do not reflect the opinions of of this conflict.” youth in NGCA or the rest of the country, but for young people studying near the contact Young people have the most to lose from the line, the message can be understood: almost conflict and gain from peace as they embark anything is preferable over perpetual armed on new careers and form their own young conflict. families. Their natural inclination towards peace is a valuable resource that should be Most young respondents agree that emphasis leveraged as part of a multifaceted, multi- should be placed exclusively on a peaceful tracked diplomacy effort. However, certain resolution through dialogue and negotiations hurdles and lack of ideas on their role need to (75%), while only 6% consider that emphasis be overcome first.

28 6. Youth Opinions on the Peace Process

Youth Agency ● When students were asked if they would This illustrates that peacebuilding is perceived like to play a role in resolving the conflict, by many adults in conflict-affected areas as only 20% said they might. The observation a top-down process where local people, in as per assessment data revealed that local particular, youth, have no agency. Also, their people (including youth) tend to avoid the reluctance to be involved maybe because it topic of the conflict as a coping strategy is difficult to imagine what role young people could partially explain such a low figure. In can play in setting the peace agenda for their some ways, this position is reinforced by the own futures. Furthermore, it is reinforced adults interviewed. One civil servant said, by the fact that 55% of young respondents “if they are young people under 18, they should believe that authorities are not open to not participate in any way. If they are over 18 hearing opinions different from their own, years old, they have the right to express their where controversial and divergent opinions will at the polling station and have the right to are inevitably part of the dialogue process. use it like every other conscientious citizen of Ukraine.”

Graph 10. In what format would you like to take part in solving the conflict in Donbas? Multiple answers possible

To help the victims of the conflict, IDPs 44%

To discuss the peacebuilding initiatives with people living in NGCA 31%

To enter the Ukrainian Army 19%

To work in Security Service of Ukraine 13%

To join NGCA armed forces 6%

No response 13%

During the in-depth interviews, young conflict, specifically, IDPs, and to discuss the respondents did not have articulated ideas peacebuilding initiatives with people living about how they might take part in the peace in NGCA. According to in-depth interviews, process or whether they should. As discussed students know that there are possibilities in chapter 2 relating to the conflict-related to support IDPs, but they have not heard stress endured by young people, some about platforms for discussing peacebuilding suggested that they could join humanitarian initiatives. That said, we see the potential initiatives helping those affected by conflict — interest towards such initiatives, considering this was the only idea that spontaneously arose there is a relatively high prevalence of among young respondents while answering communication with NGCA peers and an open this question. According to the qualitative attitude toward them (see chapter 5) assessment, a relative majority of those who Only one respondent, a police officer, -en would like to take part in solving the conflict visioned the possibility of amplifying in Donbas would like to help the victims of the the voices and interests of youth saying, 29 6. Youth Opinions on the Peace Process

“Here you could create some kind of youth oped and popularised. The UN Interagency platform, which might include representatives Network on Youth Development explains, of educational institutions of both the controlled “young people’s leadership and roles in and non-controlled territories. Maybe this is preventing and resolving conflict, violence, where they will be able to discuss their vision of and extremism are rich resources essential to how to resolve this conflict. We have a trilateral building sustainable peace. Young people are group in Minsk. In this place, they claim, ‘we valuable innovators and agents of change, have such a plan, and on the other side is that and their contribution should be actively plan’. And the youth platform could say, ‘we supported, solicited, and regarded as part of also have such a plan”. building peaceful communities and supporting democratic governance and transition. Thus, both students and adult specialists Young people’s participation promotes civic who work with young people lack a com- engagement and active citizenship” [CITATION plete understanding of the importance and UND16 \l 1033]. mechanisms of including youth in the peace process. Such initiatives could be devel-

Key Takeaways: Young people living in Donbas find the current ● Need for awareness-raising among adults, political and military situation in their region e.g. educators, social workers, civil servants, intolerable, and they believe that the peace parents and guardians, about the active role process has largely excluded them and their young people can play in their community and interests. On the whole, youth do not appear society and the importance of their meaningful to hold extreme or radicalised views and show participation in democratic processes. interest in engaging in solutions to conflict- ● Increase youth awareness about the roles related problems in their communities. Still, they can play in peace processes and ways to they have difficulty clearly articulating how involve youth in conflict-resolution and peace or identifying opportunities available to processes at different levels, from local and them, mainly where peace and confidence- regional levels to advisory groups and the building are concerned. The majority of young diplomacy surrounding the Minsk agreements respondents agree that emphasis should be process. placed exclusively on a peaceful resolution through dialogue and negotiations. ● Further research (which might include lessons from other DRC programmes such ● Engage young people in identifying needs as Georgia and the Balkans) where affinity and leading initiatives to solve issues in their building across the contact line could community. This can be an entry point to contribute to peacebuilding objectives. exploring platforms that would amplify the voices of young people in the peace process.

30 Conclusions

Conclusions

Compared with previous assessments system and the labour market. PTCs are conducted by DRC and other humanitarian an underutilised resource for youth actors in Ukraine, both positive and negative development. There is still a gap between changes can be observed regarding conflict- students’ expectations going into college related risks for youth. For instance, the risk and the reality they face entering the labour of underaged children becoming involved market. Consequently, many young people in the hostilities featured more prominently are unemployed and/or working outside in the early years of the conflict, less so now. of the specialised area of study and/or On the other hand, the number of casualties migrate to larger cities or abroad to earn a and fatalities among children and adolescents living. An updated, evidence-based, localised resulting from intentionally handling explosive understanding of the labour market demands remnants of war has remained a steady could improve the quality of career counselling risk, despite massive mine risk education students, and parents receive before choosing campaigns. Worse, psycho-social and mental an educational programme. Additionally, health needs of adolescents, which the for various reasons, there are insufficient COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated, opportunities for youth to participate in were raised as serious concerns by youth, internship placements, depriving them of their parents and other adult stakeholders. much-needed experience and exposure to the work environment in their chosen field There appears to be a lack of adolescent- of study. Finally, while still somewhat niche, friendly spaces and structured leisure youth entrepreneurship has the potential to activities, especially in less urbanised flourish with the upcoming generation. areas. In particular, regular, adult-supervised leisure activities are found to contribute to Responding to lessons learnt from other positive outcomes for youth. Introducing contexts, including Georgia, DRC understands more activities and adolescent-friendly spaces that it is never too early to start planning for could improve the mental health of the group peace. Therefore, this report also provides a and create a space to engage young people preliminary exploration of the readiness for on community improvement projects, and youth to play a role in peace and confidence- peace and confidence-building initiatives building in Ukraine. Young people in where the assessment shows many young Donetsk are untapped champions for peace. people have interest but limited outlets. Unfortunately, however, there is the broad Adults should be cautious not to disparage perception that the current peace process teens online presence and instead seek does not consider the best interest of young opportunities to reach them in that space people and that authorities are not open to and even find benefits there. For example, new or differing opinions. They believe that multiplayer online games with adolescents in all adult power brokers share broadly equal NGCA are already giving some teens the chance blame for perpetuating the conflict. to communicate and collaborate across the contact line. They also have an aptitude for Nonetheless, and somewhat optimistically, online marketing/sales and consume an most respondents do not openly express enormous quantity of information about their hostility or radicalised opinions about their rights, job information, education materials, peer groups in NGCA, IDP peers, Russian or local laws etc., through ‘little videos online’. western Ukrainian peers. Broadly speaking, young people are open to engaging with This and other reports highlight the critical everyone affected by the conflict and state role that PTCs play in Ukraine’s education an overwhelming preference for dialogue 31 Conclusions and negotiation over military interventions. The continued armed conflict appears to be intolerable to young people in the area. Moreover, they expressed some interest to participate in discussions with peers in NGCA, and they are enthusiastic about helping their community and helping victims of the conflict. It is evident from the assessment that young people in Donbas are brimming with potential and motivation which require additional attention and investment. They form a distinct group, no longer children with a lack of trustworthy agency and not yet adults with more authority, resources and experience in the world. In this way, youth, especially PTC students living away from their parents or guardians for the first time at such a young age (16-18 years), are uniquely vulnerable. It should also be said that they are also uniquely resilient, forward-looking, and a formidable force for change in Ukraine.

32 Works Cited

Works Cited

● Dagli, I. L. (2019). SCORE 2018 Selected Indicators. Kyiv: Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development. ● DRC and UNICEF. (2018). Mine Victim Assistance Needs Assessment. Kyiv. ● DRC-DDG. (2021, January 10). Mine/ERW Accidents Database in Ukraine. ● DRC Ukraine and DRC Georgia, EU4Youth (2019) Good practices of youth employment, labour market and entrepreneurship based on the experiences of Poland, Estonia, and the UK ● Hill, P. (2019). Listen To Us. Toronto: Save the Children. ● IOM. (2018). Protection of Vulnerable Children and Youth in Ukraine from Trafficking. Kyiv: IOM. ● IOM. (2019). Awareness of Human Trafficking Risks Among Vulnerable Children and Youth in Ukraine. Kyiv: IOM. ● KIIS. (2018). Mental health in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Kyiv: Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. ● Lazarenko, A. (2016). Risk of Adolescent Involvement in Military Activities in Ukraine: Case Study and Recommendations. Kyiv: Danish Refugee Council. ● Lordos, A. e. (2019). An evidence-based analysis of the psycho-social adaptability of conflict- exposed adolescents. Kyiv: UNICEF. ● OCHA. (2020). 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overview. Kyiv: OCHA. ● Petr Badura, A. M. (2018). Can organised leisure-time activities buffer the negative outcomes of unstructured activities for adolescents’ health? International Journal of Public Health. ● Protection Cluster Ukraine. (2020). Assisting Displaced and Conflict-Affected Older people in Ukraine. Kyiv: UN OCHA. ● Staats, J. e. (2019). A Primer on Multi-track Diplomacy: How Does it Work? Washington, DC: United States Institute of Peace. ● UNDP. (2016). Guiding Principals on Young Peoples Participation in Peacebuilding. UNDP. ● UNDP Georgia. (2014). Peace Building Game On. UNDP. ● United Nations Ukraine. (2019). The state of the Youth in Ukraine. United Nations.

33 Danish Refugee Council is a leading, international humanitarian displacement organisation, supporting refugees and internally displaced persons during displacement, in exile, when settling and integrating in a new place or upon return. We provide protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance. We support displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies - and we work with communities, civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. Founded in Denmark in 1956, 9,000 staff, 7,500 volunteers.

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