Every year, thousands of teenagers without parental care begin an independent life without a loved one nearby — someone who could support, set an example, teach them how to cope with everyday challenges, or simply be there for them at important moments. In order to draw attention to the importance of such support, a communication campaign “Mentoring — Your Experience in Action” is underway in Ukraine. Its goal is to make mentoring a recognizable, understandable, and attractive way of effectively supporting teenagers without parental care.

Mentoring is when an adult regularly supports a child, teenager or young person who is growing up without parental care. It is not about a professional or parental role, but about a trusting human relationship in which the adult shares his or her experience, supports, helps to navigate life situations and gradually discovers his or her own potential. Such support helps teenagers feel important, grow in confidence and make their own decisions.

In December 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law of Ukraine "On Mentoring", which at the state level recognizes mentoring as an effective tool for supporting children and youth.

Any adult citizen of Ukraine aged 21 or over can become a mentor. Learn more about mentoring at dity.gov.ua , as well as on the social media pages of DIyMO and its partners.

The communication campaign "Mentoring - your experience in action" is implemented by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, the Coordination Center for the Development of Family Education and Child Care, the Office for Children and Youth "DIyMO" under the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, the Public Organization "Ukrainian Network for the Rights of the Child" within the framework of the project "Support for Children and Youth with Experience of Staying in Alternative Forms of Care" together with UNICEF with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) through the state development bank KfW, the European Union and the Government of Sweden.

The content of the campaign does not necessarily reflect the views of the German government, the EU, Sweden and/or UNICEF.