Solidarity with Ukraine: Two years of action

For the past two years, Fondation de France’s work has been to assist populations in Ukrainians and refugees. Faced with a war of attrition, it has adapted its strategy by supporting key partners who take action where it is needed and committed to work over the long term. The aim is to guide them so that they can undertake to rebuild once the war is over, while continuing to help the people most affected by the conflict.

Ongoing care for the most vulnerable

Clearly, helping the most vulnerable remains our priority. For example, Fondation de France funds Ukrainian nonprofit Your Support which manages shelter for 180 people in Lviv. Since the start of the war, more than 3,200 people found refuge there, two thirds of them being children. The center offers medical and psychological care as well as help with employment. This is currently the only place in town that accepts marginalized populations (families with a disabled child, Roma people etc.).

To cope with an emergency in an emergency situation, following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023, several partners received one-off support to document environmental damage, distribute food and water to people who were flooded and evacuate them to safe places.

World Central Kitchen organizing the distribution of food in Lviv, Ukraine

Planning for tomorrow and testifying for the future

Against the background of a long war, preparation for rebuilding is a strategic priority. The National Network of Local Philanthropy Development aims to develop a grouping of stakeholders who will be lastingly involved in reconstruction projects. Encouraging young people’s initiatives and developing their civic skills promotes the emergence of tomorrow’s leaders who will contribute to rebuilding their country.

Preparing for the future is also the heart of the Docudays project, which carries out awareness raising programs and social support, especially for young people. They include organizing events (screenings, debates, etc.) on the topic of human rights and the integration of displaced people within the country. To this day more than 1,300 events have been organized with 25,000 people attending. Communication campaigns make it possible to share this information with a wider audience. Broadcasting the stories is essential, to cope with often very harsh reality. LHRC Alternative collects personal memories from the inhabitants of regions strongly impacted by war. These life stories testify to the changes in daily living imposed by the situation, but they also testify to the ability of society to adapt

Welcome center for displaced Ukrainian people in Lviv, set up by Triangle Génération Humanitaire.

Help for the helpers

Fondation de France also takes care of Ukrainian humanitarian partners, who continue to work tirelessly for the most vulnerable, and helps avoid burnout in the teams on the ground.

“This war is also a war of attrition, a clearly psychological one too”, explains Ingrid Hardouin, Head of Emergency Programs. “Because of drone and missile attacks, and sirens blaring frequently to alert civilians, people in Ukraine don’t sleep much. Hence the prevalence of professional and emotional burnout in helpers.”

Which is why Fondation de France supports its partners in psychological education and prevention programs for its teams. Unfortunately, these issues are often still underestimated or even stigmatized. The idea is to convince the people affected that they have a good reason to ask for psychological care

 

Projects supported in Poland, Romania and Moldova

Fondation de France continues to support several actors in countries bordering Ukraine.

In Poland, the Polish Women Can Foundation promotes social integration of Ukrainian refugees. The foundation makes computers available to help them train online or find a new job. Particular attention is paid to women and young people, thanks to specific initiatives dedicated to entrepreneurship and training to improve their digital skills.

The social integration of young refugees is also at the heart of projects led by Hope and Homes for Children in Romania. The nonprofit organizes holiday camps for refugee children in the border areas, providing them with a little respite. Thanks to support from the Fondation de France, more than 400 children and adult refugees have been welcomed in Romania.

The Hope and Homes center welcomes refugee children in Romania.

In Moldova, nonprofit Motivatie offers specific support for disabled refugees, including psychological help and adapted transport for those with physical impairments. Motivatie also raises awareness with other Moldovan organizations on the issues of accessibility and employability of refugees, as well as Moldavian people with a disability.

Lastly, because the issue of welcoming refugees concerns several countries, the Carpathian Foundations Network (Slovakia, Hungary and Ukraine) is active throughout Europe. They broadcast messages to the general public to combat prejudice concerning Ukrainian refugees, and they also provide practical and financial support to the local organizations working with the most vulnerable people.