From rowing Boats on the Pivdennyi Buh river to Youth Initiatives: “Generation of the Independent” Festival Held in Khmelnytskyi
What do fishing boats, rowing on the Southern Buh river, outdoor yoga, sports activities, educational sessions and discussions about community development have in common? All of these could be found at the “Generation of the Independent” festival that brought together young people, community representatives, veterans, businesses, civil society organisations and members of the sports community in Khmelnytskyi.
The festival took place in the year marking the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence and created a space for gatherings, communication, knowledge exchange and active recreation. Throughout the day, participants could choose various activities to join, connect with representatives of different organisations and communities, and simply spend time together.
One of the key parts of the programme was the Youth Forum that brought together representatives of youth councils, the Youth Congress and youth workers from across Khmelnytskyi region.
Participants discussed modern youth policy tools, the work of youth councils, young people’s participation in community governance and opportunities to influence decision-making process.
Importantly, the discussions went beyond theory. Participants worked in teams, analysed successful cases, shared experience from their communities and developed their own ideas for youth initiatives.
The festival also featured panel discussions with representatives of businesses, the employment centre and influencers. The discussions focused on today’s youth, the opportunities they are looking for and their expectations of employers. At the same time, businesses had an opportunity to gain a better understanding of young people’s needs and expectations as a new generation of future employees.
Alongside the discussions, sports, family, educational and cultural activities were taking place across the festival site. The diverse programme offered participants a range of ways to engage, allowing everyone to find something aligned with their interests.
Fishermen Club of Ukraine at the Festival
For the Fishermen Club of Ukraine, taking part in “Generation of the Independent” was particularly meaningful. One of our local branches is actively working in Khmelnytskyi region, so we know the area well and are committed to supporting initiatives that bring its communities together.
As a co-organiser of the festival, we created our own interactive location near the Southern Buh river.
It was hard to simply walk by without trying something new. Participants could step into a fishing boat, pick up an oar and head out onto the water. For some, it was their first experience of rowing; for others, it was simply an opportunity to slow down and change the pace of a busy festival day.
Our location provided another opportunity to introduce participants to fishing and outdoor activities and to demonstrate how such formats can become part of large-scale youth events.
“Generation of the Independent” demonstrated how diverse engagement with young people and communities can be. Participants could discuss youth participation in community life, try a new sport, spend time with their families, meet representatives of civil society organisations or simply connect with people they had never met before.
For the Fishermen Club of Ukraine, taking part in events like this is an opportunity to maintain a strong presence in the regions, support local initiatives and build partnerships. New ideas, connections and initiatives often emerge through shared events and practical interaction.
The festival also included an official ceremony during which Serhii Tiurin, Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration, recognised the work of Yehor Rybak, Regional Coordinator of the Khmelnytskyi branch of the Fishermen Club of Ukraine.
Yehor received a certificate for the Regional Administration Award “For Significant Achievements of Youth in Various Spheres of Public Life”, as well as a Certificate of Honour recognising his contribution to the development of the youth movement, work in the field of youth policy, volunteer activities and implementation of social projects.
For our team, this recognition is especially meaningful, as it reflects the daily work of our Khmelnytskyi branch and its contribution to the development of youth initiatives in the region.
We thank the Youth Council under the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration for organising the festival and giving us the opportunity to be part of “Generation of the Independent”; the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration and the Department of Youth and Sports for their support; and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society for our joint work.
There are many more meetings, partnerships and initiatives ahead. We are glad to be among those helping create these opportunities.