Today, Ukraine commemorates its 32nd Independence Day. A proud occasion that poignantly coincides with a sombre 18-month mark since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, which was expected to be a “three-day war”.  Today, we celebrate the unbreakable spirit of the people of Ukraine, as they continue to demonstrate their extraordinary courage and commitment to defending their homeland and the simple right to live in peace and freedom on their land.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, we cannot help but thank all organisations, countries and people worldwide for their unwavering support that helps Ukraine withstand this unequal fight. We also cannot help but look back on what we have done as an NGO to help the affected people of Ukraine, who were forced to leave their lives behind and flee into the unknown of foreign countries. 

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As a steadfast source of information, legal aid and housing assistance, to date, the UFU has achieved remarkable milestones:

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• Reached over 11 million people with vital information
• Provided tailored information to over 45,000 people 
• Provided specialist legal assistance to over 7,500 people
• Facilitated the shelter of 12,000 displaced Ukrainians

As the needs of our people evolve, the UFU is expanding its support. We've extended our information services to cover issues relevant to those who have chosen to stay in Ukraine. We have also launched a major initiative:

Recognising the crucial role of women of Ukraine and their economic empowerment as a cornerstone of Ukraine’s resistance and resilience, we launched our Women Lead grant programme. It aims to support women entrepreneurs and women-led initiatives contributing to Ukraine's sustainable recovery. From 2023 to 2025, the Women Lead programme will award grants ranging from €5,000 to €30,000 for projects lasting six to twelve months. Applications for this year's grants can be submitted via this link until 25 August.

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On this day, we pray for the success of Ukrainian defenders and envision a future in which Ukraine will be free and independent again on the next Independence Day. In the meantime, United For Ukraine reaffirms its unwavering commitment to support the people of Ukraine in and outside the country and unite even more partners to join our support mission.

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