Youth competition “The Newest Intelligence of Ukraine”

Program description

The 16th National Youth Competition “Newest Intelligence of Ukraine” is organized by the National Charitable Organization “Association of Charities of Ukraine” and the analytical center “Intelligence of Ukraine”. The program aims to support young authors under the age of 30 who are capable of critical thinking, researching social processes, and proposing new approaches. The competition covers topics such as charity, volunteering, social transformations, and the role of intelligence in the digital era. Participation is open for students, schoolchildren, young researchers, and anyone who wants to influence the development of society through their own ideas and analytics.

Supported Activities

NOMINATION 1. Thematic Research Competition

This nomination is for those who can see the depth of a problem and search for their own answers. Choose one of the proposed questions or suggest your own topic — the main requirement is that it resonates with the spirit of the competition (subject to approval by the Organizers).

Block 1. Charity and Volunteering: Trust, Effectiveness, Participation

1. Ukraine has thousands of charitable and volunteer organizations. Is there one you genuinely admire? What makes it unique? (And if not — what should an ideal foundation look like for you to trust and respect it?)
2. According to the findings of the Green Book of Ukrainian Philanthropy – 2025 (https://vboabu.org.ua/news/7728.html), more than half of respondents believe that many Ukrainians refrain from charitable giving due to distrust of nonprofit organizations, some of which are allegedly misusing donated funds. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
3. Try to prepare a short analysis (monitoring) of charitable activities in your city or region. Who are the leaders, what are the achievements and problems, and how is cooperation between volunteers, businesses, and authorities developing? What could make this environment more effective?
4. Ukraine already has two tools for assessing the transparency of nonprofit organizations — the Charity Compass of Ukraine Ranking by the Association of Philanthropists of Ukraine (https://compass.vboabu.org.ua) and the Verification Platform “Philanthropy in Ukraine” (https://philanthropyinukraine.org). In your opinion, which of these tools is more effective — and why? (Or suggest your own approach to ensuring integrity in the field of charity and volunteering.)
5. Why do Ukrainian young people volunteer so little, and how can this be changed: realistic steps and unconventional ideas?

Block 2. Social Challenges and the Role of Youth

6. In your view, why will most forced Ukrainian migrants return home (or not return) after the war ends? Which factors may influence their decision?
7. Ukraine has many youth organizations, but most of them are small and local. Does the country need one or several strong, formalized nationwide youth organizations with their own ideological program? Are you “for” or “against” this idea — and why?
8. Populism is when politicians propose overly simple solutions to complex problems, and today it has become a global trend. Do you consider Ukrainian populism a threat to the country’s future development, or is it merely a temporary phenomenon?

Block 3. Challenges of the Digital Age and New Intelligence

9. The widespread use of artificial intelligence will inevitably devalue thesis-based academic research such as undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral dissertations. Do you think it is reasonable to abandon such written works altogether?
10. Can a person survive in today’s digital world without critical thinking — and how can one realistically develop it?

NOMINATION 2. Organizational Ideas Competition

This nomination is for those who are not afraid to act. You do not simply analyze — you imagine what a new form of civic or social initiative could look like.

1. Let’s imagine: you want to create your own civic or charitable organization because you seek maximum autonomy in decision-making.
How will your organization differ from the thousands of existing ones? What will make it unique and valuable for the Ukrainian community?

2. Let’s imagine: you decide to establish your own social enterprise.
What will its social mission be? How, in your opinion, can it balance financial sustainability with public benefit?

3. Let’s imagine: you are considering working at the Association of Philanthropists of Ukraine (www.vboabu.org.ua). After reviewing its activities and available public information, which areas of work or initiatives would you propose for the Association in the coming years — and why?

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