PRESS RELEASE - Youth driving Ukraine’s recovery: the ETF at URC2026 in Gdańsk

Gdańsk, 25 June 2026 – The European Training Foundation (ETF), a Turin-based EU agency supporting skills development and education in EU neighbouring countries, is contributing to the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC2026) by highlighting the importance of investing in young people and strengthening human capital for Ukraine’s recovery and the country’s future within the EU.

Now in its fifth edition, the Ukraine Recovery Conference brings together governments, international organisations, financial institutions, civil society, business leaders, and local authorities, all committed to supporting Ukraine in addressing the impact of Russia’s full-scale war and building a resilient future.

In this context, the ETF is sharing its long-standing experience supporting Ukraine’s education, skills and labour market systems, with a focus on preparinging the EU-supported Youth Guarantee and advancing reforms aligned with EU accession priorities.

The Director of the ETF, Pilvi Torsti, will contribute to a focus on the Human Dimension of recovery as a speaker at a workshop entitled “Generation of Recovery: Youth as a Driver of Ukraine’s Recovery”, taking place on 26 June at 12:30-13:45 at the AmberExpo exhibition and conference centre (11 Żaglowa Street, Gdańsk). The workshop will be led by Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Osadcha and Andrii Pavlovych, Coordinator of the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre.

The session will examine how Russia’s full-scale invasion has created unprecedented challenges for Ukrainian youth – including disrupted education, forced displacement, destruction of youth infrastructure, social isolation and increased unemployment – while recognising young people as a key driving force of Ukraine’s recovery, social cohesion and innovation.

“It is our collective responsibility to keep Ukraine’s future firmly in sight, even in the midst of war. The Youth Guarantee is a concrete expression of the European Union’s long-term commitment to Ukraine, placing young people at the centre of recovery, resilience and EU integration,” said Pilvi Torsti, Director of the ETF. “Despite the immense challenges Ukrainian youth face, the Youth Guarantee provides a strong, proven framework to equip them with skills, open pathways to employment, and ensure they remain an active part of Ukraine’s democratic, social and economic future.”

The ETF’s work builds on continuous cooperation with Ukrainian institutions, including policy exchanges and capacity-building activities that have helped shape youth employment and education reforms – a key priority for recovery.

Youth Guarantee and skills: building Ukraine’s future

Since the start of the Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the ETF has boosted its support through a dedicated Ukraine Task Force, working closely with national authorities, EU institutions and international partners.

Together with the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Economy and a broad inter-agency working group, the ETF is supporting the development and rollout of Ukraine’s Youth Guarantee, ensuring that every young person under 30 receives a good-quality offer of employment, training, apprenticeship or further education within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving education. The initiative also promotes inclusive access, including for young people with disabilities.

Beyond the Youth Guarantee, the ETF is contributing to a wide range of reforms essential for recovery and EU accession, including:

• Education system modernisation: improving governance, financing, quality and equity, supported by tools like the Rapid Education Diagnosis (RED), with a report due in August 2026
• Teacher professional development and key competences: initiatives such as Scaffold and FormA micro-credentials on the EU Academy platform
• Digital skills: strengthening teachers’ competences through SELFIE for Teachers, based on data from over 8,000 educators
• Vocational education and training (VET): promoting the system modernisation, work-based learning – traineeships and apprenticeships and Centres of Vocational Excellence
• Career guidance and inclusion: improving access and outreach, including for persons with disabilities
• Adult learning and lifelong learning: supporting framework development and the future Adult Learning law

The ETF also provides evidence-based policy support, including labour market intelligence, skills analysis and the alignment of Ukraine’s National Qualifications Framework with European standards.

About the European Training Foundation

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the European Union agency that supports EU neighbouring countries in reforming education, training and labour market systems. The ETF works with nearly 30 countries – from Ukraine to the Western Balkans, from the Southern Mediterranean to Central Asia and the African Union – to strengthen the security and prosperity of Europe and its neighbours.

The ETF has been actively engaged in Ukraine since its independence, providing expertise, policy advice and capacity building, and acting as a bridge between Ukrainian authorities, the EU and international partners. Through agile, targeted actions and strong partnerships with EU Member States and international organisations, the ETF supports reforms aligned with EU standards and priorities, including the Union of Skills. The ETF’s work strengthens Ukraine’s skills ecosystem, contributing to economic recovery, resilience and long-term development on its path towards EU membership. Its work at URC2026 reflects the European Union’s strong commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and future.

The ETF Governing Board, chaired by Mario Nava, European Commission’s Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, brings together representatives from all 27 EU Member States. The Director of the ETF is Pilvi Torsti, who has served as a State Secretary in the Ministries of Education and Culture, of Employment and Economic Affairs, of Traffic and Communications in Finland. She also served as the MP and member of the education and future committees of the Finnish parliament and has been an adjunct professor in University of Helsinki.

The ETF is based in Italy.

Media relations

Daria Santucci, +39 366 9639638, mediarelations@etf.europa.eu