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The Youth for Health II Phase II (YFH II) project — a $2.6 million CDN project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), managed by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) and implemented by the Ukrainian partner, the Ukrainian Institute for Social Research (UISR) — has conducted a successful model for youth health promotion in Ukraine, emphasizing positive messages, engaging youth in meaningful and important action, embracing and adapting to local needs, and unleashing the potential of youth and communities. Through mutual respect, commitment and dedication, the partnership has worked together towards a common goal.

The YFH II project’s multi-level, intersectoral approach to youth health promotion brought together skilled and knowledgeable public servants, educators, health professionals, volunteers and young people with the common purpose of promoting healthy lifestyle choices for youth in Ukraine. With continued Ukrainian government support, youth health promotion activities will improve the lives of countless Ukrainians for generations to come. The project worked with youth and adults in two regions, two cities and two villages, focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention, drug and alcohol harm reduction, smoking cessation, physical activity, healthy nutrition, gender equality, mental health and youth health promotion policy proposals.

YFH II has met its goal and exceeded its objectives. The positive results and additional benefits emerging for youth indicate that the project’s successes will continue well into the future.

The goal of YFH II was to contribute to the development of effective public policies that will promote health among Ukrainian children and youth.

To create a national youth health promotion centre that can adapt and refine the YFH model through ongoing evaluation, and assist in the development of youth health promotion proposals
To adapt the YFH I model at the local level in two regions in Ukraine and focus on key health and lifestyle issues such as HIV/AIDS, smoking, drugs, alcohol, mental health, nutrition and physical activity, with emphasis on gender equality and youth involvement

Established a National Youth Health Promotion (NYHP) Centre in Kyiv with planning, research, resource development, training and social marketing capabilities. The NYHP Centre continues to influence youth health promotion policy and supports the implementation of project activities in Cherkassy and Rivne regions of Ukraine.
Established two Regional Intersectoral Councils (RICs) and four Local Intersectoral Committees (LICs) with appropriate governance structures, providing effective monitoring of operational regional training programs.
Established six local Resource Centres as the sites of training, research, grant project development and volunteer activities.
Developed a 14-book YFH II Train-the-Trainer Kit (TTT Kit) using a participatory process in Ukraine and providing information on mental health, nutrition, physical activity, drugs, smoking, alcohol and risky sexual behaviour, as well as sample lesson plans, monitoring and evaluation framework, and gender related resources.
Established and trained regional and local training teams with the capacity and skills needed to provide ongoing health promotion training to youth in Ukraine.
Allocated 117 grants to local communities for education, training, special events, media, resource materials and research in youth health promotion.
Conducted five study tours to Canada, including two policy study tours and one youth study tour.
Organized three Special Sessions, including a Youth Special Session, that brought approximately 700 Ukrainian participants together to discuss project results, policy development and sustainability of project activities.
Over 30 policy recommendations and options for policy implementation were taken into consideration during workshops, regional roundtables, public consultations and Special Sessions in order to draft the youth health promotion plan.