Stand with Ukrainian Women – Continuing to stand by your side

Long queues formed in front of the Colosseum cinema in Berlin: interest in this year's Café Kyiv, organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in partnership with the Ukrainian exile organization Vitsche, remained as strong as ever. With exhibitions, films, music, and culinary delights, Ukrainian culture was showcased in all its diversity.

At the same time, the atmosphere was shaped by discussions about the current political situation and the uncertainty that comes with it. What comes next after three years of relentless war against the country? What are the strategic options? What do the events and shifts in US policy under Trump mean?

One thing is clear: Europe must reposition itself, work more closely together, and support Ukraine even more decisively—in our own interest! And it needs to happen quickly. Despite the incredible resilience of the Ukrainian people, exhaustion is setting in; women, in particular, are facing unique challenges. You can find an article by Yuliia Siedaia on the current situation, based on empirical surveys, here.

At Café Kyiv, we took the opportunity to (re)connect with various project and cooperation partners and forge new contacts, including with the European Association for Ukrainian Women, led by Brussels-based Violeta Dwornikova. The network is dedicated to fostering exchange among women in European exile and in Ukraine, as well as providing mutual support and practical assistance, such as help with job searches. Women from a wide range of professions contribute their expertise and contacts: from musicians and singers to engineers, project managers, and women's rights activists. A major congress will take place in Berlin on March 22, 2025. German participants are also warmly invited to attend.

We are particularly pleased that the small town of Dobroslav in southern Ukraine, led by our project partner and mayor Ludmyla Prokopechko, has finally been able to launch a town twinning partnership with Schwentinental in Schleswig-Holstein . The EAF Berlin played a successful role in this, both behind the scenes and on the front lines.

Finally, we would like to thank all the donors who contributed to this year's campaign once again. We raised 4,700 euros, which went to the women's organization Diya in Odesa and to Mykolaiv. The donations were used to purchase urgently needed supplies for a home for the elderly and people with disabilities, among other things. You can find the donation report here.