Ukraine Engagement
We are strengthening the resilience of Ukrainian civil society and supporting its efforts toward the country’s recovery.
For more than 30 years, we have been connected by close relationships and partnerships with people and organizations in Ukraine. In response to Russia's war of aggression, and out of a sense of responsibility as a European foundation and towards our partners, in 2022 and 2023 we provided additional funds as emergency aid for organizations in Ukraine and neighboring countries. In 2024, we continued our commitment to Ukraine in a special division. We are focusing on strengthening Ukrainian civil society in the long term, building resilience in times of war and in the country's ongoing recovery process (ukr. “Vidnova”).
The situation
The full-scale Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is increasingly directed against civilian infrastructure. In addition to the energy supply and the health and education systems, cultural infrastructure is also affected, which poses a massive threat to Ukraine's cultural identity. The war has torn great wounds in society. Due to the long duration of the war, the mental strain on the population is increasing. The number of people in need of psychological support is immense. Many people are traumatized. A particularly vulnerable group is that of veterans, who, if they are allowed to leave the army due to physical or psychological damage, find it difficult to return to everyday and professional life. The high number of internally displaced persons is a challenge for families, organizations and local authorities. All of this poses major challenges for social cohesion in a country that has been largely destroyed or occupied. Reconstruction will take decades and cost billions. Ukraine will need substantial support from the international community to accomplish this enormous task. The reconstruction of Ukraine is already beginning during the war. It is not just about rebuilding the country's infrastructure, but also about renewing and modernizing all areas of society (“building back better”).
Our goals
Our primary goal is to strengthen the structures, professionalism and psychological wellbeing of Ukraine's organized civil society so that it can help shape the future of its country in a self-determined way. We systematically focus on organizations that courageously and innovatively promote reconstruction, particularly in local contexts, in a needs-oriented manner. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that Ukrainian civil society in all its diversity is recognized by the stakeholders of the recovery process – that is, by the government level in its own country as well as by partner countries, by supranational organizations and by internationally active economic actors. We are committed to ensuring that the contribution and expertise of Ukrainian civil society be valued and that it be able to participate in (inter)national reconstruction processes.
We also want to make an impact in our sector of international philanthropy. That is why we are committed to ensuring that funding reaches Ukrainian civil society in a coordinated and targeted manner and that philanthropy's engagement with Ukraine is sustained and expanded. We see cooperation between funders and other sectors, such as politics and business, as key to achieving this.
Our strategy
Our support for Ukraine is based on the conviction that Ukrainian civil society can develop solutions self-determinedly. We focus on Ukraine's needs and close a significant gap in the international funding environment. In doing so, we are contributing to a common Europe and to the defense of our shared values.
In order to effectively strengthen Ukrainian civil society in its resilience and in the recovery process, we have defined four dimensions of action, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups. In all four dimensions, the empowerment of civil society is central to our work.
• The cultural dimension refers to the preservation of Ukraine's cultural identity in all its diversity
• The societal dimension promotes social participation in the country's development
• The mental dimension strengthens the resilience of Ukrainians in the face of the stresses of war
• The ecological dimension supports socio-ecological transformation
There are numerous intersections between the four dimensions. In our project funding, we specifically seek out projects that contribute to several dimensions.
Visualization of our goals
Stories & Publications
“We are helping to break the taboo by saying: It’s OK to seek help.”
The Pivotal Role of Civil Society in Ukraine – in Wartime and Beyond
Integration Hub - Arrive in Berlin-Charlottenburg
Together with our partners at Café Kyiv
"As a German foundation, we have a special responsibility to Ukraine"
Every Second Teacher has Refugee Children from Ukraine in School
Find our projects on the map
Literature forums Meridian
Author readings and discussion events held during wartime and in areas close to the front line address the urgent need within civil society for community, dialogue, and cultural understanding. These events take place in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
Literature forums Meridian
Author readings and discussion events held during wartime and in areas close to the front line address the urgent need within civil society for community, dialogue, and cultural understanding. These events take place in Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
Krisenchat Ukraine
This digital project offers psychosocial online counseling for people in Ukraine and internally displaced Ukrainians, aiming to support and stabilize their mental health. The platform is accessible from anywhere.
Strategic development of Ecoaction's agricultural program
Ecoaction focuses on the green reconstruction of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, viewing the EU accession process as a crucial opportunity. Their main goal is to promote sustainable agricultural practices, especially in nutrient management. By adopting better practices, they aim to address environmental challenges such as water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss, while also ensuring food security. To achieve this, they are strengthening their network of agricultural advisors and smallholder farmers, engaging in advocacy, and developing pilot projects to improve fertilizer management.
Strengthening civil society in Ukraine
An empowerment and education program for and with Ukrainian refugees in Stuttgart, aimed at creating opportunities for knowledge and experience transfer both within refugee communities in Germany and back in Ukraine. This initiative includes cooperation with the partner city of Khmelnytskyi, focusing on mental health support.
More (in german)
Restart Ukraine
ReStart has developed a bottom-up approach to support the recovery of Ukrainian municipalities. Based on in-depth on-site analyses, the team initiates sustainable projects with active participation from the local population. Their work includes efforts in Voznesensk and a pilot project in Ivano-Frankivsk, which specifically addresses the needs of veterans.
Restart Ukraine
ReStart has developed a bottom-up approach to support the recovery of Ukrainian municipalities. Based on in-depth on-site analyses, the team initiates sustainable projects with active participation from the local population. Their work includes efforts in Voznesensk and a pilot project in Ivano-Frankivsk, which specifically addresses the needs of veterans.
Support to Ukraine's Community of Practice of Dialogue Facilitators and Mediators
The nationwide network of local mediators supports Ukrainian society in overcoming trauma and managing conflicts.
Vidnova
Vidnova programs are dedicated to supporting Ukraine’s civil society. They build bridges, foster relationships, support organizational development, and facilitate sustainable collaborations among civil society actors, initiatives, and organizations in Ukraine and across Europe.They offer various funding opportunities and run a fellowship program that supports displaced civil society actors throughout Ukraine.
Gender-sensitive recovery and reintegration in Ukraine
This project aims to support and empower gender equality activists, women-led organizations, and women’s rights groups in Ukraine. It offers mentoring support, training programs, and opportunities for organizational development. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of local women’s organizations and young gender activists, enabling their participation in decision-making processes and other key areas. Additionally, the project improves access to psychosocial support for women and children in remote communities.
Implementation will take place across Ukraine, with a primary focus on the Rivne, Poltava, and Zhytomyr oblasts.
The Untold Stories from Ukraine
To strengthen dialogue between Europe and Ukraine, and to provide insights and explanations for complex contexts—especially in response to the often limited understanding of the current situation in Ukraine—the Tvoemisto team publishes a series of printed, English-language editions of the newspaper The Untold Stories from Ukraine. These editions are distributed at major international events in both Ukraine and EU countries.
In addition, Tvoemisto is responding to the urgent need for local journalism—an area that has become increasingly scarce—by establishing editorial teams in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro. A particular focus is placed on citizen engagement programs.
Fix what's broken
The NGO Insha Osvita is actively engaged in the reintegration of veterans, with a strong focus on art and culture. Its Vilno project supports veterans in their recovery process. The Scattered Communities initiative is directed at Ukrainian artists—both those who remain in the country and those who were forced to leave due to the war.
Fix what's broken
The NGO Insha Osvita is actively engaged in the reintegration of veterans, with a strong focus on art and culture. Its Vilno project supports veterans in their recovery process. The Scattered Communities initiative is directed at Ukrainian artists—both those who remain in the country and those who were forced to leave due to the war.
Forget-me-not
This project addresses the growing mental health crisis in Ukraine by developing a non-medical psychological first aid training program, along with a dedicated curriculum for Ukrainian psychosocial emergency helpers (PEH) and trainers.
Foundations4Ukraine
Foundations for Ukraine (F4U) is a collaborative network of leading philanthropic organizations committed to enhancing support for Ukraine. F4U connects foundations, grantmakers, and other philanthropic actors worldwide to align efforts and coordinate more impactful actions. Through this collective approach, members address Ukraine’s immediate needs while laying the groundwork for its sustainable recovery.
Youth Banks of Initiatives
Implementation of the international Youth Banks model to empower young people in rural areas through local community foundations.
Youth Banks are active in the following regions: Bar, Hlynyany, Novoyavorivsk, Stryi, Boyarka, Svitlovodsk, Hrytsiv, Vinnytsia, Koblevo, Skvyra, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Manuilovka, Strelki, Gostomel, Ladyzhyn, Odesa, Kovel, and Dyadkovychi.
Youth Banks of Initiatives
Implementation of the international Youth Banks model to empower young people in rural areas through local community foundations.
Youth Banks are active in the following regions: Bar, Hlynyany, Novoyavorivsk, Stryi, Boyarka, Svitlovodsk, Hrytsiv, Vinnytsia, Koblevo, Skvyra, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Manuilovka, Strelki, Gostomel, Ladyzhyn, Odesa, Kovel, and Dyadkovychi.
Harvest Way
Launched in 2023 by the National Network of Local Philanthropy Development, this community-supported agriculture project promotes local vegetable growing in Ukraine through local Community Foundations, contributing to food security during times of war.
Harvest Way operates in the following regions: Stryi, Bar, Voznesensk, Novoyavorivsk, Boyarka, Vinnytsia, and Dubno.
Harvest Way
Launched in 2023 by the National Network of Local Philanthropy Development, this community-supported agriculture project promotes local vegetable growing in Ukraine through local Community Foundations, contributing to food security during times of war.
Harvest Way operates in the following regions: Stryi, Bar, Voznesensk, Novoyavorivsk, Boyarka, Vinnytsia, and Dubno.
Rapid Expert Support for Culture and Media Policy in Ukraine
Ukrainian culture needs a new strategic approach. This challenge is being addressed by the RES-POL project, which develops relevant analyses, policies, and strategic papers with support from the EU and in close cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture. Our partner, Alona Karavai, head of the NGO Insha Osvita, is actively involved in this process as an expert.
We, as the Robert Bosch Stiftung, fund the translation of selected reports into English.
Ukraine Research Fellow at Chatham House
The respected London-based think tank Chatham House has created an additional position to support the work of the Ukraine Forum team. The Ukraine Forum is a unique platform that offers in-depth insights into internal Ukrainian dynamics across key policy areas.
Strengthening support to local peacebuilding actors
The goal of this program is to support high-potential local peacebuilding organizations in Ukraine in achieving an organizational objective that is critical to strengthening their resilience and impact. Our cooperation partner in this initiative is the PeaceNexus Foundation.
The following organizations are receiving support for their organizational development:
1. Dialogue in Action
2. Center for Innovative Development (CID)
3. Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group (ULAG)
4. Theater for Change
5. League of Mediators of Ukraine (LIMU)
Self-Help Platform for Youth
This digital self-help platform is tailored to the needs of Ukrainian youth, providing easy-to-access tools and resources to support their mental health amid the ongoing war and other personal or emotional challenges. It can be used from anywhere, at any time.
Promprylad Foundation
ur partner Promprylad is spearheading the transformation of a former industrial site into a dynamic hub for culture, urban renewal, reskilling, and entrepreneurship. Since February 24, 2022, their focus has shifted toward strengthening Ukraine’s wartime resilience and contributing to its post-war economic and social recovery. The location is truly exceptional—unique even on a global scale.
The Untold Stories from Ukraine
Strengthening the dialog between Europe and Ukraine, providing insights and explaining complex contexts - in response to an often-lacking understanding of the current situation in Ukraine. The tvoemisto team therefore publishes a series of printed English-language editions of the newspaper “The Untold Stories from Ukraine” and distributes them at important international events both in Ukraine and in the countries of the European Union.
In addition, tvoemisto is responding to local journalism, which is so important but hardly exists any more, and is setting up limited-scale newsrooms in the cities of Odesa, Zaporizhia and Dnipro. A particular focus is on citizen participation programs.
capacity development for faith-based actors to address mental and psychological challenges
Dialogue in Action’s mission is to foster a culture of dialogue and build bridges within society by offering training sessions, consultations, and facilitated dialogues. The organization supports representatives, ministers, and leaders of faith traditions in strengthening their communities as part of civil society—by rethinking established practices and integrating new approaches.
INDEX: Building a Resilient Institution for Epistemic Justice in Ukraine
INDEX is a new Ukrainian cultural and research institution that aims to empower Ukrainian intellectuals and promote knowledge about Ukraine worldwide. It seeks to connect initiatives documenting Russia’s war and to facilitate international exchange through fellowships and grants for Ukrainian researchers, cultural practitioners, and their peers abroad.