During the Second National Forum for Talented Youth, attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, young people were awarded for outstanding achievements - Новини - Фонд Президента України з підтримки освіти, науки та спорту

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During the Second National Forum for Talented Youth, attended by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, young people were awarded for outstanding achievements

On January 23, 2026, the Second National Forum for Talented Youth, organized by the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports, was held in Kyiv with the participation of top state officials. The event, dedicated to International Education Day, became a platform for recognizing the successes of young Ukrainians at the state level and brought together more than 600 participants from all over Ukraine. Among them were winners of international and national Olympiads, as well as the WRO 2025 Robotics Olympiad, Ukrainian youth with the highest NMT results, and winners of the 2025 Youth Olympic Games.

The forum aims to recognize the achievements of young Ukrainians at the national level and to demonstrate the existing prospects for professional development in Ukraine. It is also part of a large-scale ecosystem that the state is building together with partners for the development of the younger generation in Ukraine.

Motivation is people; motivation is you: talented young people who are the future of modern Ukraine. First and foremost, we are all grateful to our military. And secondly, we are grateful to you: you give us the energy and motivation to fight and move forward. Ukraine is, above all, our freedom, our people. We are grateful to you for being in Ukraine.”,

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the talented young people and thanked them for staying and developing in Ukraine.

“It is extremely important for Ukraine to keep its citizens in the country. And first and foremost, this applies to talented children. According to the UNDP study ‘The Impact of War on Youth in Ukraine’ in 2024, about 60% of young people said they want to stay and live in Ukraine. This is good news. At the same time, security, housing, and self-fulfillment are the three main priorities for young people when planning their future. That is why we are holding the Forum for Talented Youth. Here, we not only reward those who are truly talented but also find ways to keep those who will shape the country's future in Ukraine. This is especially significant given the scale of the tasks that now lie ahead of us after achieving a just peace,”

said Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Other speakers and guests at the event included Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy of Ukraine – Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, and Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvii Bidnyi. They also included prominent Ukrainian figures from the worlds of science, culture, and civil society. The event was attended by representatives of international organizations and foreign embassies, including those of the United States, Japan, Poland, Turkey, and Lithuania.

As part of the Forum, the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Young Talents presented awards. The awards were presented in seven categories: ‘Science of Victory,’ ‘STEM,’ ‘Intellect,’ ‘Social Sciences and Humanities,’ ‘Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Geography),’ ‘Natural Sciences (Physics, Astronomy),’ and ‘Sports Leadership.’ Based on the results of achievements in 2025, more than 50 of the best laureates received awards. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy also personally presented 40 honorary awards to young scientists.

“It is particularly important for the state today to invest in human capital. The Second National Forum of Talented Youth is a moment when Ukraine addresses young people at the highest level: we are grateful to you, we believe in you, and we are ready to invest in your success. And no less significant: this Forum is not about a single moment on stage. It is about community, about the trajectory of development, and about role models that open up new opportunities in education, work, science, sports, and innovation. We want talented schoolchildren, students, young scientists, and athletes to feel that there are like-minded people around them, that they have the support of the state and partners. There is a clear understanding of why Ukraine needs their talent right now: for the stability, defense capability, and reconstruction of the country,”

said Olga Budnyk, Advisor-Commissioner to the President of Ukraine on the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports.

The Second National Forum for Talented Youth was supported by representatives of business, international organizations, and the public sector. The general partner was JSC Ukrgasbank (UGB). The event partner was the BGV Charity Fund. The event was supported by the Hepatica Foundation and sponsors Nestlé in Ukraine, MHP, and the Сhаritable Foundation «MHP—Hromadi». The Council on Youth Issues under the President of Ukraine also supported the event.

Reference

The Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports is a state institution designed to ensure the development and systematic support of talented Ukrainians in the fields of education, science, and sports. This is in order to restore and realize human potential and strengthen Ukraine’s leadership position in the world. The Fund of the President of Ukraine has launched the National Forum for Talented Youth as a platform for recognizing the achievements of talented young Ukrainians at the highest state level, bringing young people together, and supporting them. The Forum is held annually on International Education Day, proclaimed in 2018 by the United Nations to celebrate the role of education for peace and development.

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