Ukraine's Foreign Ministry introduces certificates to protect the identity of diaspora youth

Ukraine's state policy on supporting the overseas community has been supplemented with a new tool. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has begun issuing an official document, referred to in social media as the "Certificate of a Ukrainian". This initiative is aimed at consolidating national belonging among the younger generation of Ukrainians living outside the country.

Statement by MFA representative

Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Maryana Betsa announced the launch of the programme. She emphasised that the development of this document was carried out at the request of representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora and overseas organisations. The main goal of the measure is to strengthen state policy aimed at preserving the national identity of youth who are studying and growing up in another country.

Who is eligible to receive the document

The certificate is intended exclusively for children under the age of 16 who belong to the overseas Ukrainian community. The main condition is active participation in the cultural and public life of compatriots abroad. The MFA clarified that the key grounds for obtaining the certificate include the following factors:

• consistent use of the Ukrainian language in everyday communication;
• studying at Ukrainian Saturday or Sunday schools, as well as attending cultural centres and children's camps for Ukrainians abroad;
• studying Ukrainian history, literature, culture and traditions;
• active participation in events of Ukrainian communities, artistic projects, festive events, contests and olympiads in Ukrainian studies disciplines;
• care for Ukrainian memorial sites and memorials located abroad.

Operational mechanism and goals of the initiative

The ministry explains that the new document is intended to serve as support for Ukrainian cultural and educational centres abroad. The state aims to encourage children to preserve their national identity, even if they are studying and growing up in another country.

The procedure for issuing the certificate is strictly regulated by Order No. 469 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Detailed conditions and instructions for processing the document have been published on the official MFA website.