With the EDYN Presidential elections approaching, we continue our series introducing the young leaders ready to shape the future of our network. In this interview series, each candidate shares who they are, what drives them, and how they envision EDYN evolving in the coming years.
Today, we feature Yuliia Dziuba from Ukraine, EDYN member and Chairperson of EDYN Ukraine.
1. Who are you? Give us a short introduction.
My name is Yuliia Dziuba, and I come from Ukraine, a country where the meaning of democracy, courage, and responsibility has become deeply personal. I grew up in a community shaped by resilience, and this has defined the way I approach leadership: with integrity, empathy, and a deep sense of duty.
I hold a Master of Public Policy from the London School of Economics (LSE), one of the world’s leading institutions in governance and public affairs, as well as a Master of Law, which grounds my work in a strong understanding of legal systems, institutions, and human rights. This academic foundation, combined with my professional experience, shaped me into a leader focused on evidence-based decisions, international cooperation, and democratic renewal.
Professionally, I have worked at the intersection of public policy, youth leadership, European integration, and diplomacy. As a Policy Advisor in the Parliament of Ukraine, I supported legislative work on EU integration and accession, collaborated with the Council of Europe, coordinated parliamentary delegations, and facilitated cooperation between national, regional, and civil society actors to ensure policymaking reflects real people’s needs.
My path naturally expanded into international cooperation and youth diplomacy. In 2024, I received the Youth Diplomacy Award, recognising my contribution to strengthening global dialogue among young leaders. I also represented the entire European continent in the US-based global organization Generation Democracy, which gave me a deep understanding of diverse national contexts, democratic challenges, and youth agendas across Europe. This experience helps me understand not only EDYN’s structure, but also the priorities and realities of its chapters from the Balkans to Central Europe, the Caucasus, and Ukraine.
Today, as Chairperson of EDYN Ukraine, I lead a network of young political and civic leaders united not by ideology but by shared democratic values. I also serve on youth advisory bodies under the Parliament of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributing to national policy and strengthening youth participation in governance.
My interests lie in public leadership, security policy, European integration, and the future of democracy. I am passionate about creating spaces where young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, feel empowered to influence decisions. For me, leadership is not about authority; it is about building trust, connecting people, and turning uncertainty into opportunity.
What defines me as a leader is resilience, service, and strategic vision. Working during war and political instability teaches you to adapt quickly, communicate transparently, and stay human even under pressure. These experiences strengthened my commitment to helping others grow, supporting democratic institutions, and ensuring young leaders are not just “the future” but respected partners in shaping democracy today.
In everything I do, my compass remains the same: to help build a democracy where people feel safe, represented, and valued and where young leaders have the power and confidence to lead change now, not someday.
2. What inspired you to get involved in civic or public life, and to join EDYN?
My motivation to join civic and public life comes from a deep belief that meaningful change is possible when young people take responsibility for their communities. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer not only to understand the rules that shape society, but to ensure that those rules protect people, expand freedoms, and strengthen justice. This desire to use my knowledge for public good naturally led me toward policy work, public leadership, and diplomacy.
The decisive moment for my civic engagement came when Ukraine faced historic challenges, and I witnessed how ordinary people became extraordinary leaders. Volunteers, teachers, young activists, everyone stepped forward to protect democracy and support each other. Observing this collective courage made it impossible to stay passive. I understood that leadership is not about ambition but about service, responsibility, and standing with your country in moments of uncertainty.
I joined EDYN because I wanted to be part of a democratic community where young people from different backgrounds and political beliefs could collaborate, learn from one another, and build something bigger than any of us could achieve alone. EDYN offers something truly rare: a space where differences are respected, dialogue is encouraged, and values like freedom, dignity, and democracy unite us.
What inspires me most about being part of EDYN is not only the mission, but the real results we are achieving. I am deeply motivated when I see impact, growth, and tangible progress. In 2025, the EDYN Ukraine Chapter showed what committed young leaders can do even in times of instability and war. Not only did we continue to operate effectively, but we also:
- Established partnerships with key governmental institutions and international partners such as the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network
- Organized a strategic session to develop our long-term strategic and operational plans
- Opened a physical EDYN Ukraine office in the heart of Kyiv
Opening our office was more than a logistical step; it was a symbol of our resilience, visibility, and long-term commitment to youth leadership and democratic values in Ukraine. These achievements reinforce my belief that EDYN is a community where ideas turn into action, where collaboration leads to real change, and where young leaders strengthen each other’s capacity to lead.
I am driven by the belief that my generation must not wait for permission to lead. We must take responsibility, shape the agenda, and build the democratic future we want to live in. EDYN is where this responsibility becomes a shared mission, and where young leaders from across Europe turn their vision into meaningful impact.
3. What made you decide to run for EDYN President? What is your vision for EDYN in the coming years?
I decided to run for EDYN President because I believe deeply in the mission of this network and in the transformative power of young leaders working together. Over the last years, I have seen how EDYN can change lives, empower communities, and inspire democratic renewal across our entire region. Today, as Europe faces rising polarization, disinformation, and growing distrust in institutions, the role of EDYN has never been more important. I am running because I want to help strengthen and elevate this network at a moment when its voice is urgently needed.
My decision is also shaped by the results I have already seen within EDYN. As Chairperson of EDYN Ukraine, I witnessed how cooperation, trust, and shared values can turn into concrete achievements. Our chapter not only continued its work despite war and instability, but also built partnerships with governmental institutions, opened an EDYN office, and developed our strategic and operational plans. These accomplishments showed me what is possible when members feel supported, connected, and inspired.
As President, my vision is to build EDYN into a more connected, empowered, and visible network. This includes strengthening collaboration between Country Chapters, ensuring regular dialogue with the Leadership Council, supporting Country Leads individually, and representing EDYN with clarity and purpose in public settings, international forums, and meetings with institutional partners.
My leadership vision has three core pillars:
- A Stronger and More Connected Network: I want every Country Chapter to feel supported, heard, and included. Regular communication, monthly Leadership Council meetings, and individual support for Country Leads will help us understand each chapter’s needs and build collective strength.
- A More Visible and Influential EDYN: The President serves as EDYN’s chief spokesperson. I will use this role to amplify our members’ achievements, strengthen EDYN’s external communication, and represent the network in key advocacy spaces across Europe and beyond.
- A Network That Invests in Its Members: I want EDYN to be a place where young leaders grow. This means fostering dialogue, encouraging innovation, and ensuring that every member, regardless of country, background, or resources, has access to opportunities, training, and support.
The main thing I want to achieve by 2026 is simple but powerful: a stronger, more united EDYN where each member and each Country Chapter feels empowered, connected, and capable of leading democratic change.
4. What do you value most about the EDYN community and the people in it?
When I reflect on what makes EDYN so special, three things stand out: its values, its breadth of opportunity, and the people who bring it to life.
First, EDYN’s values resonate deeply with me. On the website, EDYN says it expects its members to “Defend freedom and fundamental human rights,” “Refrain from hate speech in all forms,” and “Collaborate across the ideological and political spectrum.” These aren’t empty slogans — they are commitments that guide action. In a time when division and polarization are rising, a network grounded in these principles matters more than ever. For me, belonging to a community that lives by them is both a privilege and an obligation.
Second, I appreciate what EDYN offers: education, resources, and connections. This aligns with how I see youth leadership: you don’t just show up, you continually grow, you learn, you build networks, and you act. That’s why I value EDYN as a place where ambition meets substance; where personal development is connected to collective impact.
Third and most importantly, the people of EDYN are what make the network alive. I have met young leaders who are not just committed, but courageous: activists working in challenging environments, local councilors strengthening civic life, community organisers rebuilding trust. What impresses me is how EDYN brings together individuals from different national backgrounds, ideologies, and experiences, and yet they bind themselves by a shared purpose: to defend our democracies, empower young citizens, and build societies that include rather than exclude.
What inspires me about EDYN members is that they don’t wait for permission; they act. They hold each other accountable. They collaborate across borders. Many live the realities of crisis, conflict, or transformation in their countries, and yet they belong to a pan-European network that enables them to bring that experience into dialogue, innovation, and collective change.
In EDYN I found more than a network — I found a community built on solidarity, mutual trust, and bold action. I value it because it gives me and everyone in the network the space to lead, the tools to grow, and the support to succeed. Being part of EDYN means you are not alone: you are part of a movement. And that is something I will always cherish and carry forward.
