The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) continues to introduce the world to young people who, despite living thousands of miles away, keep Ukraine at the center of their hearts and daily work.
The “30 Under 30” award is more than just a recognition. It is a powerful platform for young leaders under the age of 30 who are reshaping perceptions of Ukraine abroad, advancing cultural diplomacy, volunteering, educating new generations within Ukrainian communities, and countering Russian disinformation.
This year, applications came from Argentina, Australia, France, Sweden, the UAE, Croatia, Romania, Canada, Estonia, the United States, and Germany. The UWC has presented the award only twice in its history: first in 2021, marking the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, and now again in 2026, as Ukraine reaches 35 years of independence.
We spoke with Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler, Chair of the “30 Under 30” Awards Committee and UWC Vice President for Southern and Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Türkiye, and Lebanon, about the story behind the award, its expanding global reach, the selection process, and the extraordinary strength of Ukrainian youth worldwide.
How the winners were chosen
To select this year’s winners, the UWC assembled an international committee of seven prominent representatives of the global Ukrainian community: Petro Rewko (United Kingdom), Jaroszlava Hartyányi (Hungary), Miroslav Hočak (Serbia), Jorge Danylyshyn (Argentina), Marta Farion (USA), and Pavlo Sadokha (Portugal).
The final list of recipients was approved by UWC President Paul Grod.
The committee held nine meetings, carefully reviewing each candidate’s biography, letters of recommendation, and social media presence. Four key criteria guided the selection process:
- Community engagement: leadership and commitment to social, cultural, or political initiatives.
- Support for Ukrainian communities: contributions to preserving Ukrainian identity and strengthening diaspora networks.
- Leadership and innovation: launching impactful and forward-thinking initiatives.
- Diversity and inclusion: ensuring broad youth representation under 30 while maintaining gender balance.
Special attention was given to long-term commitment. The committee focused not on one-time achievements, but on years of consistent work and dedication. Members also discussed the scale of candidates’ impact and ultimately agreed that strong local leadership is the foundation for broader international advocacy and global initiatives.
31 instead of 30
Although the original concept envisioned honoring 30 individuals, the committee ultimately selected 31 laureates.
According to Poshyvaylo-Towler, Ukrainian organizations around the world nominated so many outstanding young people that limiting the list to 30 became impossible. The decision also took on symbolic meaning: as Ukraine has now passed the 30-year milestone of independence, the number of laureates may continue to grow alongside the age of the modern Ukrainian state.
The winners represent a wide age range, with the youngest laureate only 18 years old.
This year’s recipients can broadly be divided into two groups. The first includes young people born and raised outside Ukraine who absorbed Ukrainian culture through their families and organizations such as Plast and the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM). The second group consists of newly arrived, highly active young Ukrainians whose civic engagement was sparked by Russia’s aggression, beginning with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and intensifying after the full-scale invasion in 2022.
In reviewing the laureates’ work, the committee identified three major areas of impact:
- Youth education and mentorship: young leaders are taking over from older generations by organizing camps and running Saturday and Sunday schools.
- Cultural diplomacy: creating large-scale exhibitions, arts festivals, and music projects that showcase the richness of Ukrainian culture to international audiences.
- Student activism: building powerful new Ukrainian student organizations across Europe and North America, often led by young people who moved abroad because of the war or for education.
Continuing Stefan Romaniw’s legacy
One of the driving forces behind the creation of the award was the late Stefan Romaniw, longtime leader of the global Ukrainian movement and UWC First Vice President.
During the inaugural ceremony in 2021, he personally mentored and inspired young Ukrainians, encouraging them to take part in global community-building efforts. Today, that mission continues through the award, helping develop the next generation of leaders who will guide Ukrainian communities around the world.
The official award ceremony will take place during the Summit of the Global Ukrainian Community, scheduled for June 5-7, 2026, in Bern, Switzerland.
But the award is only the beginning. Laureates will also receive opportunities for internships, networking, and direct collaboration with Ukrainian lawmakers.
“Keep going, don’t stop, and believe in yourselves and in Ukraine’s future,” Nataliya Poshyvaylo-Towler said in a message to this year’s laureates. “Take small steps every day, because they lead to major results. Ten years from now, you will look around and see a powerful global network of like-minded people – and realize that you yourselves have become the leaders changing this world.”
The full list of the 2026 laureates is available at the following link.
Cover: DepositPhotos
