On August 14, the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service (NACS) hosted a unique event for young people interested in a career in public service. The event, titled “By the Way, Public Service,” brought together over 50 participants, giving them the opportunity to engage with experienced civil servants, learn about the work of government agencies, and explore career growth opportunities in public administration.
Organized by NACS and the Professional Government Association of Ukraine with support from EU4PAR, the event created a space for knowledge sharing and networking, allowing young people to see public service as a real career opportunity.
The event featured three discussion panels, where representatives from the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, NACS, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), as well as international partners such as UNDP, Democracy Reporting International, and USAID Pro-Integrity, discussed the prospects and challenges of working for the state. They emphasized that public service can be a reliable starting point for professional development.
NACS Chairperson, Nataliya Alyushina, called on the youth to break stereotypes about public service. “We aim to show a new vision of public service and highlight examples of professional, responsible, and ethical civil servants. The civil service has changed, and involving young people can be the driving force for further positive reforms,” she said.
Olena Martyniuk, Director of the Legal Support Department at the Ministry of Economy, shared her positive experience of engaging young professionals with bachelor’s degrees. “Young specialists have great potential, and our task is to support them and guide them in the right direction,” she explained.
Ihor Khokhych, Head of the NACP Secretariat, emphasized the importance of new hires sharing the agency’s values: integrity, responsibility, professionalism, and readiness for collaboration. NACP also actively offers internships for students, with the possibility of future employment.
Vladyslav Yatsuk, Director of the Youth Policy Department at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, spoke about opportunities for youth, particularly the Ukrainian Youth Fund, which offers grants for employment. Youth can also get involved in youth centers or government bodies through youth councils, which are actively being established in many central government agencies.
