Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University Wins Project Competition in Ukrainian-Lithuanian Youth Exchange Program for 2024.
From October 21 to October 28, 2024, the project "Social and Psychological Support for Youth Mental Health in Lithuanian and Ukrainian Communities" was implemented with financial backing from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
The project’s priority focused on the exchange of professional experience among youth workers, youth centers, and youth organizations to strengthen the mental health of young people.
Project Location: Radviliškis, Republic of Lithuania – twin city of Uman.
Project Goal: To analyze and compare social and psychological support practices for youth mental health in Lithuanian and Ukrainian communities, identify effective approaches and methods, and develop recommendations for their implementation to enhance the mental well-being of young people in both countries.
The project participants – students from the Faculty of Social and Psychological Education at Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University and students from Uman Lyceum No. 3, accompanied by academic staff – were hosted by Grazina Gymnasium in Radviliškis, Republic of Lithuania.
On the first day of their stay, the Ukrainian delegation was welcomed by the Radviliškis City Council.
The project program was comprehensive and filled with a variety of activities and meetings. Participants had the opportunity to visit innovative laboratories and classrooms in three educational institutions, the city library, a youth center, and an informal education and adult education center.
Lithuanian youth welcomed the Ukrainian delegation with a concert program.
The stay was enriched by excursions to notable historical and cultural sites, art therapy workshops, and visits to museums not only in Radviliškis and its surrounding area but also in Šiauliai and Vilnius. To practice thalassotherapy (sea therapy), the partners organized an excursion to the city of Palanga on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
Participants attended a lecture with interactive exercises led by a practical psychologist from Radviliškis and learned about the work of a social educator. They were also given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with exemplary practices for supporting the mental and physical health of the city's residents through a visit to a sports and wellness complex.
At the conclusion of the project "Social and Psychological Support for Youth Mental Health in Lithuanian and Ukrainian Communities," a panel discussion took place to discuss the experiences gained and outline promising areas for further cooperation.
Ukrainian and Lithuanian participants were awarded certificates and souvenir products to promote the project and Ukrainian-Lithuanian collaboration.
We express our sincere gratitude to the school director, Egidijus Dailidoni, and his team for their hospitality, warm welcome, engaging program, heartfelt support, and assistance in implementing the project.
