Start date
June 1, 2026

End date
December 7, 2026

Duration
27 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

A city council in Ukraine is currently implementing several strategic initiatives focused on sustainable urban development, youth engagement, and cultural heritage preservation. The current projects include a DigiLab focusing on digitalization of public services and online education opportunities for civil servants; a cultural heritage site renovation project, which envisions the creation of a public space for civic engagement initiatives; and establishment of a museum dedicated to a prominent Ukrainian artist. Additionally, the municipality is actively pursuing various European cooperation programs, capacity-building initiatives, and sister city partnerships with the EU communities.

Among the war-related issues negatively affecting this community is a deepening demographic crisis. Between 7 to 10 million Ukrainians, predominantly mothers and their young children have fled Ukraine since February 2022. The organization is seeking a VSPP to strengthen their youth outreach and mobilization programs to sustain community mobilization efforts that would improve the community’s resilience and recovery. The collaboration would include 3–5 local participants, project managers, and communication officers.

The organization has not previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Co-develop an asset-based survey related to youth engagement
• Co-analyze the results of the survey
• Co-create an action plan based on the results of the survey
• Assist with the development of marketing campaigns targeting youth
• Advise on the implementation of youth engagement programs
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 5 hours per week including preparation.

Online collaboration will generally occur twice a week between 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., Ukraine time (on weekdays) each session lasting for about an hour. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to email, Zoom, and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  
  

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field

Language: Basic Ukrainian

Experience: 1 year working with a nonprofit, or NGO in project design or management, capacity building, or community mobilization

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually