Imagine the Future - summary of the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme

Last week, we wrapped up the final event of the Youth Leadership for Emerging Future (YLEF) Programme, and what an incredible journey it has been! Over the past year, we’ve witnessed the power of young leaders from Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Slovakia transforming their ideas into action.

Under the theme "Imagine the Future: Youth Leading the Way," we explored the past, present, and future — reminding ourselves that while we can’t predict what’s ahead, we can prepare for it. Through skills, networks, and values shared across generations, we’re building a foundation for a future we want to be a part of.

The day was filled with thoughtful discussions and bold ideas. From fishbowl conversations on redefining success, freedom, and authenticity in an age of social media to fireside chats on how humanitarian skills can drive changemaking during crises. Participants shared powerful insights like:

• Be brave enough to challenge the status quo
• Changemakers don’t say ‘I’, we say ‘WE’
• Making changes is collective
• Success is about feeling okay with yourself, truly liking yourself

Watch the video with a message for young changemakers, created by the participants of the program:

We also celebrated the incredible projects led by program participants, tackling pressing challenges in their communities: civic engagement, education, networking, wellbeing, and crisis intervention. Read more about the projects here.

Graphic recording: Ola Krawczyk

This final event was not a full stop — it’s a comma. We celebrated with gratitude, laughter, and even a cake, knowing this is the first step into the future.

We see that local networks are the key to making society resilient to crises. That's why I'm pleased to see young participants working together not only within YLEF program but also outside of it - inviting each other to conferences, recommending each other for programs or study tours, and creating new projects together when applying for funds. I believe that our participants, strengthened and acting together, are now ready for the future and all it will bring

- Agnieszka Płoska, Ashoka, Youth Leadership for Emerging Future programme coordinator

A special, heartfelt thank you to our amazing partners Humanitarian Leadership Academy and Save the Children for making this possible — your support and collaboration have been invaluable. Let’s continue to inspire and act together.

To everyone who joined us, thank you for imagining the future with us. Here's to the next chapter — written together.

Photographs by Olena Herasym, see more photos here.