In the severe situation of rapidly declining human capital in Ukraine, war-affected youth need effective tools for supporting their educational and social needs. One evidence-based method for this is shared reading, defined as organised systematic reading by groups or families, followed by discussion of the readings. In Ukraine, shared reading is not currently in use; educational, cultural, and social organisations lack a research-based methodology for using shared reading, tested in practice in the local, war-affected context. Through such dialogue about war-themed young adult literature the young generation develops ways in which to process the ongoing crisis and its aftermath. Building on this existing research, DaR:UA explores and theorises whether the effect of shared peer-to-peer reading for young adults may be even higher in the context of war.

DaR:UA aims to test, evaluate and theorize the efficacy of shared reading during wartime for social support and development of dialogue skills of Ukrainian young people aged 14-18 years. The project is guided by key research questions:

• To which extent may elements of the existing research experiences in shared reading become a social technology for educators and youth workers for supporting young people in Ukraine?
• How may the Ukrainian experience inform and develop our theories and understanding of shared reading in difficult contexts of war?
• Under what conditions and with what results can shared reading in the context of war-torn Ukraine be effective in youth work?
• How does shared reading affect the development of dialogue skills of young people in wartime?
• How may contemporary young adult literature about the current war in Ukraine contribute to young people’s reflection and acceptance of different war experiences?

DaR:UA benefits from cooperation with both Danish and Ukrainian networks of academics and practitioners in shared reading, children’s literature, youth work and inclusive non-formal education, including:

• AUFF NOVA project “PUBLISH: Children’s Books in the Russia-Ukraine War” (Aarhus University)
• “READ” at TrygFonden’s Centre for Child Research (Aarhus University)
• Ukrainian-Danish Youth House (Ukraine)
• Council of Europe “Youth for Democracy in Ukraine” project (Ukraine)
• Læseforeningen (Denmark)
• Zhytomyr Ivan Franko State University (Ukraine)

This collaboration bridges theory and practice, fosters the exchange of expertise and good practices between European and Ukrainian partners, and provides both scientific insight and practical support for future youth-focused educational initiatives.