KSU and "New Generation": over 30 years of shared history, development, and partnership
The history of Kherson State University — is not only a history of education and science. It is also the history of people who, having gained knowledge in university classrooms, united, created communities, changed, and continue to change their communities, region, and state.
For decades, the university has been a place where not only professional careers were born, but also community initiatives, volunteer movements, and organizations that later became an important part of the development of the Kherson region. One such example is the NGO «Public Center «Nova Generatsiya», whose history is inextricably linked with the university from its early years to the present day. Now «Nova Generatsiya» is one of the oldest civil society organizations in the Kherson region and Ukraine.
Origins: when civic activity begins at the university
The history of the organization dates back to April 8, 1993, when an initiative group of young people gathered in Kherson for the first time, seeking to be active participants in the processes of national rebirth of independent Ukraine. Among the founders and the first activists of the organization were students of the Kherson State Pedagogical Institute — now Kherson State University.
On September 23, 1993, a founding conference took place, where the Youth Public Organization «Nova Generatsiya» was officially created. Its goal was to promote national and cultural rebirth and the formation of a new elite for the young Ukrainian state. At that time, it was one of the first independent youth organizations in Kherson after the collapse of the Soviet system of youth associations.
The team with the organization's chronicle
It was precisely this environment, with an atmosphere of openness to new ideas, discussions, and critical thinking, that became an important foundation for the formation of the organization's activists. One of the areas of work included student conferences — «Dontsov Readings» and historical readings «UPA in the Second World War». For Kherson at that time, these were bold initiatives that helped reveal little-known pages of Ukrainian history and contributed to the formation of critical thinking among the youth.
Festival of Christmas programs "Koza” (1999)
A debate movement also actively developed around the university environment, with «Nova Generatsiya» becoming one of its main drivers. The «Nova Generatsiya» debate club became one of the strongest in Southern Ukraine, repeatedly winning victories in 1997–2002 at regional and all-Ukrainian tournaments.
The history of «Nova Generatsiya» is a vivid example of how universities shape not only professionals but also active citizens capable of taking responsibility for the development of society.
From a youth to an influential public organization
Developing as a public organization, «Nova GenerGeneratsiya» did not lose its connection with its university alma mater. Kherson State University remained a space where new ideas were born, students and teachers were involved, joint initiatives were implemented, and a new generation of civic leaders was formed.
Over more than three decades, «Nova Generatsiya» has traveled the path from a youth initiative to a capable public organization that works in the fields of civil society development, non-formal education, community development, advocacy, gender equality, good governance, promotion of human rights and democracy, support for community initiatives, and intersectoral partnership.
In different years, the organization implemented projects on the development of youth policy, human rights education, organizational development of NGOs, citizen engagement in decision-making, support for local self-government, and community development.
A team from the Kherson region during an all-Ukrainian "Debate" game tournament near the Stepan Bandera monument (Staryi Uhryniv village, Ivano-Frankivsk region, 1990s)
An important direction of cooperation was the involvement of KSU students in the practical activities of the organization. KSU students participated in sociological research, information campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and other projects of the organization. For many, this became their first experience working in the public sector, and for some — the beginning of their professional path in «Nova Generatsiya».
Fundraising campaign “A Smile for Every Child” (2008)
From youth initiatives to social changes
In the early 2000s, «Nova Generatsiya» actively developed youth programs, creating opportunities for learning, self-realrealization, and civic participation of young people.
A feature of this period was the combination of debate education with relevant social issues. Thus, in 2003, «Nova Generatsiya» began working systematically on gender equality issues, organizing a regional debate tournament for schoolchildren on gender themes.
Another important direction was the preparation of young leaders. In 2001, the organization implemented the «School of a Young Civil Servant» project, which aimed to involve youth in the processes of public administration, form a talent pool of future managers, and familiarize students with the principles of how government bodies operate.
Many participants of these programs were students of Kherson State University. Thus, university youth became active participants, volunteers, organizers, and future civic leaders who continued to cooperate with the organization even after completing their studies.
From youth work to the development of social services and human rights protection
In the early 2000s, «Nova Generatsiya» gradually expanded its scope of activities, moving from primarily youth projects to comprehensive programs for community development, social policy, and human rights protection. It was then that the organization began working on issues of social service development, intersectoral partnership, and the prevention of domestic violence.
One of the landmark projects was «Socio-space of the Kherson region» (2003), aimed at developing partnership between government bodies and NGOs in the field of social services. The next important step was the «Families Without Violence» project (2004–2007), within which mechanisms for interaction between the police, social services, medical institutions, and government bodies were created to assist victims of domestic violence. This experience became one of the first comprehensive examples of implementing an intersectoral approach to combating domestic violence in the Kherson region.
Community and Civil Society Development
During the period of 2004-2016, «Nova Generatsiya» significantly expanded its areas of activity, while continuing to cooperate with the university community, involving students, young professionals, and teachers in the implementation of community initiatives. The organization gradually became one of the centers for the development of civil society in Southern Ukraine, working with communities, local self-government bodies, educational institutions, and the social sphere. «Nova Generatsiya» helps create new NGOs in communities and works on the development of modern administrative services. At the same time, cooperation with Kherson State University does not cease: students undergo internships in the organization, participate in research, social campaigns, and project implementation.
In 2017-2020 and 2023-2025, within the framework of the USAID DOBRE Program «Decentralization Brings Better Results and Efficiency», the organization helped communities in the Kherson region implement mechanisms for public participation, develop youth policy, strengthen the institutional capacity of local self-government, and create modern tools for interaction between the authorities and community residents.
Since 2019, the NGO «Public Center «Nova Generatsiya» has been a member of the Local Employment Partnership in the Kherson region, working on resolving issues in the labor market, vocational education, retraining, and creating new employment opportunities for the residents of the region.
Relocation experience and new opportunities for cooperation with KSU
After the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation and the occupation of Kherson in 20222, the organization relocated to Ivano-Frankivsk and continued to work, in particular, for the residents and communities of the Kherson region. The NGO «Public Center «Nova Generatsiya» became one of the initiators of the creation of the Kherson NGO Hub in Ivano-Frankivsk, which united NGOs, volunteers, government representatives, and internally displaced persons from the Kherson region. KSU representatives also participated in the opening of the Hub. After the de-occupation of the right-bank part of the region, the organization resumed the implementation of projects directly in the communities of the Kherson region.
The war changed the lives of both Kherson State University and «Nova Generatsiya». Both institutions were forced to relocate to Ivano-Frankivsk but maintained their connection with the Kherson region and continued to work for its future. KSU and the Kherson NGO Hub became centers of attraction for the Kherson community in the Prykarpattia region, which allowed not only the restoration of long-standing partnerships but also the launch of new joint initiatives.
The university and «Nova Generatsiya» are actively involved in community initiatives aimed at supporting internally displaced persons and preserving and developing the Kherson community in Prykarpattia.
Representatives of Kherson State University at the NGO "Public Center "Nova Generatsiya"" at the opening of the Kherson NGO Hub in Ivano-Frankivsk
Kherson residents for the Kherson region
In 2026, the cooperation between KSU and «Nova Generatsiya» received a new impulse. In May, the Executive Director of the PC «Nova Generatsiya», Oksana Hlebushkina, met with the leadership and representatives of the KSU university community.
The parties discussed the role of education, digital technologies, and intersectoral cooperation in the future recovery of the Kherson region, and also outlined promising directions for partnership. Special attention was paid to community development, support for internally displaced persons, non-formal education, youth initiatives, and strengthening social cohesion.
Visit of the NGO "Public Center "Nova Generatsiya"" to KSU
«It is extremely valuable for us that even in wartime, we continue to find new points of contact with Kherson State University. We are united not only by our common origin and history, but also by a shared vision for the future of the Kherson region — modern, open, democratic, and strong,», — noted Oksana Hlebushkina.
Following the meetings, the parties agreed to create a shared digital space for coordinating future cooperation, developing joint project ideas, and preparing grant applications.
Another example of cooperation was the participation of KSU representatives in events organized by «Nova Generatsiya» in Ivano-Frankivsk, specifically in a meeting of Kherson residents as part of the «Kherson: A Common Voice for Recovery» project. Participants of the event worked together to develop a vision for the future of the region, discussing the role of education, science, civil society, and youth in the recovery processes. After all, it is today that the decisions are being formed that will determine what post-war Kherson will be like.
KSU representatives during the meeting of the project “Kherson: A Common Voice for Recovery” (Ivano-Frankivsk, 2026)
Partnership for the Future
The history of «Nova Generatsiya» is yet another confirmation that the university community is capable of not only forming professionals but also raising active citizens, community leaders, volunteers, and agents of social change. Often, it is in the university environment that initiatives are born that later grow into stable institutions of civil society. And even after more than three decades, this connection has not only been preserved but has also gained new meaning. And new partnership ideas respond to the new challenges and demands of both the region and the country.
Today, Kherson State University and the Public Center «Nova Generatsiya» continue to work for the development of people, communities, and the entire Kherson region. And they prove that even war is unable to destroy a partnership based on shared values, trust, and responsibility. Because such partnerships are stronger than any trials.