"This is a new and valuable experience for my future career"

These are the words of Ruslana, who is currently doing an internship at Mariupol City Council at the Dnipro-based "I'Mariupol" centre. The girl plans to pursue a career in psychology, so she decided to learn more about working with people and how specialists work with displaced persons.

"I decided to take part in the internship because I wanted to see what the work looks like from the inside – not just the theory, but also the hands-on side of this profession. I chose the "I'Mariupol" centre for a reason – I come from near Mariupol myself, and this place is special to me, it feels like home. Employees provide comprehensive support to Mariupol residents here, and I also want to help people in the future," explains Ruslana.

During her internship, Ruslana learned more about the centre's work organisation, visited the community centre and co-working space, and got to know the activities of the Resilience Centre and the "I'Mariupol. Health" medical hub, where psychologists work. She observed the work of specialists and attended themed training sessions and lectures.

"Thank you for this upgrade! Everything is extremely interesting, useful and motivating – it is a new and valuable experience for my future profession," she shares.

The Mariupol City Council actively engages young people in its efforts to shape a new generation that will rebuild Ukraine’s communities! 

The youth internship programme in local government is being implemented by the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and the Higher School of Public Administration in cooperation with the NGO "Association of Public Advisors of Ukraine" with the support of UNDP in Ukraine and funding from the Danish government.