2023 WINNER

Marharyta Vorykhava

Chairperson of the Belarusian National Youth Council RADA

Margo (Marharyta) Vorykhava is a Belarusian activist in youth representation and empowerment committed to advancing gender equality, diversity, and European integration.  

Margo’s journey towards fostering positive change began with her participation in the international youth organization European Youth Parliament, where she honed her effective leadership, diplomacy, and collaboration skills. Simultaneously, she engaged in activities organized by the Belarusian Students Union, contributing to her local community and advocating for youth-related causes. 

Margo plays a pivotal role as a dedicated member of the Contact Group of the Council of Europe on Belarus. In this capacity, she works to strengthen youth competencies and enhance their representation in decision-making, making significant strides toward gender equality, diversity, and European integration. Since 19, her leadership has extended to the presidentship of the Belarusian National Youth Council RADA, a role that sees her driving the international promotion of the Belarusian youth agenda. 

In 2023, Margo was also elected to the Coordinating Council on Youth within the Council of Europe on behalf of the European Youth Forum, demonstrating her commitment to European integration and cooperation among youth at the international level. 

In recognition of her contributions to youth empowerment and advocacy, Margo has been appointed an Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Youth Policy and Students. This role places her at the forefront of shaping policies that empower youth and students and further strengthens her impact on promoting gender equality, diversity, and European integration. 

Moreover, Margo represents the voices of young people in the Consultative Group of the European Union on Belarus, and she is actively involved in the Coordination Council, a proto-parliamentary democratic structure of Belarus. Her presence in these influential bodies underscores her dedication to fostering positive change toward democracy in the Belarusian landscape.