Ukrainian Youths Hosted by Planetrise Academy in Eastern Hungary
Cultural experiences, learning about nature, new friendships, and cross-border cooperation – ten youth Ukrainians from the Ivano-Frankivsk region spent several enriching days in Eastern Hungary as guests of Planetrise Academy and its partners. The success of the programme was also formally recognised by the Regional Development Agency of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region in an official letter of appreciation.
Between 27 and 30 July 2026, ten young people from Ukraine, accompanied by their supervisors, travelled to Hungary from the Ivano-Frankivsk region. Planetrise Academy, working together with other civil society organisations and partners, took part in organising and delivering the visit.
The young participants earned this special opportunity through their achievements. For several years, it has been a tradition in the Ivano-Frankivsk region for students who achieve outstanding results at a cultural event to be rewarded with a visit to a European country, where they can take part in educational and cultural programmes. In previous years, countries including Italy, France, and Poland have hosted such groups. In the summer of 2026, Hungary and Planetrise Academy also joined this initiative.
Discovering the Region from Their Base in Győrtelek
The group's base during their stay in Hungary was the Nature Centrum Guesthouse in Győrtelek. In addition to accommodation and daily meals, local transportation and participation in the organised activities were also provided for the guests.
Over the course of several days, the young participants had the opportunity to discover the natural, cultural, and historical heritage of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. One of the highlights of the programme was a visit to the Nyíregyháza Zoo, which offered the students a significant discount on admission. The visit was not only an enjoyable experience but also provided an opportunity to learn more about biodiversity, nature conservation, and sustainability.
Another important aim of the programme was to give the participants first-hand experience of Hungarian culture and traditions. In this way, the visit combined recreation and learning with opportunities to meet and connect with others.
Encounters That Extend Beyond the Few Days of the Programme
One of the initiative's most important outcomes was the development of personal connections between Hungarian and Ukrainian young people. The shared activities created opportunities for conversation, learning about each other's cultures, and forming new friendships.
The significance of these connections was also emphasised by the Regional Development Agency of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region in its letter of appreciation addressed to Dr Péter Gergő Juhász, President of Planetrise Academy.
According to the Agency, encounters of this kind are particularly important for Ukrainian children and young people: alongside experiencing openness and a sense of safety, they can also experience international solidarity and a sense of belonging to the wider European community.
The letter expressed special thanks to the Planetrise Academy team, as well as to all staff members, volunteers, and partners whose work, care, and personal commitment helped make the visit to Hungary a meaningful and memorable experience.
A Bridge Between Hungary and Ukraine
The value of the programme, therefore, cannot be measured simply by the number of places the participants visited or the new knowledge they gained. Equally important are the personal connections that developed during the days they spent together.
According to the Regional Development Agency of the Ivano-Frankivsk Region, initiatives of this kind make a meaningful contribution to strengthening Hungarian–Ukrainian relations, fostering intercultural dialogue and youth cooperation, and deepening friendship between the two regions.
The Agency also expressed its hope that the successful programme in Hungary would lay the foundation for further joint initiatives in the future.
For Planetrise Academy, the visit also reaffirmed an important principle: by bringing together nature, culture, and shared community experiences, it is possible to create encounters that bring young people closer to one another across national borders – and leave memories that last far longer than the journey itself.
