Head of Partnership and Fundraising Kseniia Lisna Participated in Side Events at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk

In June, a series of side events took place in Gdansk, Poland, alongside the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC 2026). The discussions focused on the role of civil society, the return of Ukrainians, hromadas’ recovery, and the development of international partnerships.

Kseniia Lisna, Head of Partnerships and Fundraising at East SOS, took part in these events. She shared the Foundation’s experience in evacuating civilians from frontline areas and supporting people affected by the war as they integrate into host communities.

On June 24, the Civil Society Forum brought together civil society organizations, international partners, and government representatives to discuss Ukraine’s recovery. A key message throughout the forum was that rebuilding the country was impossible without a strong and active civil society.

“The words that resonated with me most were those of Piotr Łukasiewicz, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Poland to Ukraine, who quoted the Latin phrase Alter alterius onera portate – ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens.’ I believe this perfectly captures the idea of international solidarity with Ukraine,” said Kseniia Lisna.

During the side event “Rebuilding Ukraine Together – A Coordinated Approach to Return as a Strategic Driver of Economic Recovery and Demographic Resilience”, Kseniia shared East SOS’s practical experience in supporting evacuees as they adapt to life in new hromadas. The event was organized by the Right to Protection Charitable Foundation, Caritas Ukraine, Mercy Corps, and People in Need, with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.

Among other examples, the Foundation’s representative spoke about residents of a residential care facility in Tyvriv, Vinnytsia Oblast. After evacuating them from danger, the East SOS team not only helped them find a safe place to live but also provided psychosocial support. Today, residents of the Tyvriv Regional Residential Care Home for Elderly and Persons with Disabilities feel part of their new hromada. They have built a greenhouse themselves, which now supplies the facility with some of its vegetables. This initiative not only strengthens the institution’s self-sufficiency but also helps residents regain a sense of purpose, contribute in meaningful ways, and be part of a shared endeavour.

“We also shared our experience of relocating evacuees abroad and arranging the medical treatment they require in cooperation with our partners. At the same time, we stressed that once the war is over, it will be essential not only to create opportunities for people to return safely to Ukraine but also to ensure their successful reintegration at home. Ukraine’s recovery is impossible without people who will live, work, and help rebuild their hromadas,” Kseniia noted.

Kseniia also participated in the concluding side event, “From Gdansk and Beyond: First Takeaways and the Road to URC 2027”, organized by the East Europe Foundation and the International Renaissance Foundation. One of the key takeaways was that the expertise of Ukrainian civil society is increasingly shaping decisions on Ukraine’s recovery. Governments, international organizations, and partners are placing growing value on the experience of Ukrainian NGOs, particularly in humanitarian response, community resilience, and security.

As Kseniia emphasized, together with international partners and donors, East SOS will continue strengthening its expertise so that the practical experience of Ukrainian civil society organizations continues to inform the decisions needed for Ukraine’s successful recovery.

For the East SOS team, which has been supporting people affected by russian aggression since 2014, participating in the events on the sidelines of the Conference provided an opportunity not only to present its practical experience and contribute to professional discussions on Ukraine’s recovery, but also to meet new partners, exchange expertise, and build relationships for future cooperation.

Ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, Kseniia Lisna also participated in the business breakfast “One Hundred Years Ahead: Ukrainian Identity as the Foundation of the Recovery Triangle”. Participants discussed the role of Ukrainian identity, civil society, and cross-sector partnerships as the foundation for Ukraine’s long-term recovery. Read more about it here.

To mark the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026, East SOS also contributed to a joint position statement prepared by human rights organizations on the return and reintegration of Ukrainians. Read the full document here.