The Third Annual Ukrainian Aid Leadership Conference
On May 23, the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations hosted the Third Annual Ukrainian Aid Leadership Conference. The conference brought together Ukrainian CSOs, Ukrainian state authorities, local self-government, international NGOs, donors, diplomats, the UN, the private sector, and academia.
The Third Annual Ukraine Aid Leadership Conference was collaboratively organized by the Alliance UA CSOs and Palestine Refugee Agency. Financial support for the conference was provided by The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, UK Aid, and British Red Cross.
Watch the Highlight Reel
The day was a true testament to the power of partnership, trust, meaningful discussions and shared vision. Despite devastating Russian bombardments, over 700 participants filled the hall, with 600 more joining online.
The day reaffirmed that Ukrainian organizations are not merely present in the humanitarian sector, but are setting the tone, shaping strategies, and are ready to lead. Discussions covered risks and concerns within the community and sought common answers to complex questions.
Key speakers and topics included:
Maintaining the Course of Localization Amid Global Turbulence
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Fredric Larsson, NGO Resource Centre
- Maryna Kurochkina, “Tenth of Aprilâ€Â, Odesa
- Olga ÃÂltunina, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights at the Ombudsman’s Office
- Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, the Grand Bargain Ambassador
- Anne-Sophie Le Beux, OCHA
- Massimo La Rosa, DG ECHO
- Julian Zakrzewski, Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp
Transition Plans for Handing Over Programs to Ukrainians: Mechanisms, Roadmaps, Joint Planning
Moderators:
- Oleksandra Buglak, ßûðтфþрüð óуüðýітðрýøх ÃÂãÞ ò ãúрðїýі
- Anna Duda, People in Need
Speakers:
- Oleksandr Yarema, State Secretary Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
- Serge Oumow, Swiss agency for development and cooperation
- David Das Neves, Humaniatarian and Development Advisor UN
- Oleksandr Galkin, Ñûðóþôіùýøù фþýô “ßрðòþ ýð ÷ðхøÑÂÑ‚”
- Yulia MatviÑ–chuk, Ñä “áхіô SOS”​ | CF “East SOS”​
- Sarah Redd, Oxfam
The Voice of Civil Society at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (co-organized with ßûðтфþрüð óуüðýітðрýøх ÃÂãÞ ò ãúрðїýі)
This critical discussion shaped a unified sector position for URC 2025 and insights on CSO participation.
Moderator:
- Maryna Saprykina (she/her), Centre for CSR Development
Speakers:
- Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine
- Tetiana Lomakina, Commissioner of the President of Ukraine on Barrier-Free Access
- Marcus Koll, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Kyiv
- âõтÑÂýð áтðòýøчø, ÚðрітðѠãúрðїýø
- Viktor Sicalenko, Mykolaiv Development Agency
- Camilla Corradin, ßûðтфþрüð óуüðýітðрýøх ÃÂãÞ ò ãúрðїýі
- Vicki Aken, Mercy Corps
The inaugural “Ambassador of Localization” awards were presented ðt the 3rd Annual Ukrainian Aid Leadership Conference.
The award serves as a recognition and symbol of a shared belief in the strength of Ukrainian communities, in local civil society organizations, in the importance of equitable partnership, that the future of humanitarian aid and recovery belongs to local leaders.
The ten awardees included:
- British Red Cross and Danish Red Cross in Ukraine for their recognition of the Alliance as a strategic player, opening their own networks, and amplifying local voices on the global level.
- Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine – SDC for their consistent support for the “Duty of Care” concept, exemplifying deep respect for staff and volunteers.
- British Embassy Kyiv, FCDO, a pioneer who recognized the Alliance as a capable platform, resulting not only in funding but also in strategic guidance and support for our local leadership initiatives at the highest levels and co-created strategies, operational plans that command respect.
- U.S. Embassy Kyiv and BHA, a leading example of translating localization principles into concrete financial decisions. A major breakthrough was the significant percentage of direct funding to Ukrainian CSOs.
- Embassy of Germany in Kyiv, for its funding approach through the Help Localisation Facility (HLF), which transformed Ukrainian CSOs from petitioners into equal participants in the funding allocation process. This model is a tangible step toward financial stability and autonomy for local initiatives.
- UN OCHA Ukraine for their inclusion of localization as a priority in the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan.
- Palestine Refugee Agency, with whom the joint localization initiative has become, over three years, a key platform for shaping global strategies based on Ukrainian experience.
- Tetiana Lomakina, Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Access, a collaboration that serves as a bridge between civil society and the state on dignity and equal opportunities. Together, we lay the foundations for Ukraine’s qualitative recovery.
- Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Deputy Minister Tetyana Berezhna, for cross-sectoral cooperation where CSOs are strategic partners in recovery.
Conference Highlights
Welcoming Ten New Alliance Members
The Alliance of Ukrainian CSOs welcomed ten new members at the conference, including ZDOROVI-New Medicine for Ukraine, Charitable Foundation ENJOYING LIFE, The League of the Strong, Mission Kharkiv, SpivDiia Charity Foundation, Voices of Children, Charitable Foundation Rokada, Angels of Salvation, Charitable Foundation Starenki, and the NGO The Tenth of April.
They join the Alliance’s 16 founding organizations: Caritas Ukraine, Right to Protection, Red Cross of Ukraine, Eastern Europe Foundation, NGO Girls, Philanthropists, Your Support, East SOS, Humanitarian Mission ‘Proliska’, ISAR Unity, Ukrainian Educational Platform, Brave to Restore, Crimea_SOS, Helping to Leave, Philanthropy in Ukraine.
Building on the Momentum from the Third Annual Ukrainian Aid Leadership Conference
On May 30, the Alliance, together with the Aspen Institute Kyiv, hosted an event on ‘Localisation in action: from humanitarian response to recovery,’ deepening dialogue among Alliance members.