Last Friday evening in The Hague, we had the privilege of welcoming our donors, partners, and friends for a gathering dedicated to gratitude.
Before anything else, we acknowledge those who make every such evening possible: the servicemen and women of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, whose courage allows Ukraine to endure and whose sacrifice reminds us why solidarity matters.
The evening brought together people who, throughout these difficult years, have chosen to stand with Ukraine and with the communities rebuilding their lives amid war. It was an opportunity to pause, meet face to face, and express our sincere appreciation for the trust placed in OpenDoorUkraine.NL. Every generator delivered, every family supported, and every reconstruction project begins with that trust.
We were honoured by the presence of Andriy Kostin, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who engaged guests in an open conversation on the realities facing Ukraine today — the needs of frontline regions, questions of security and justice, and the importance of sustained international commitment.
Together with Kees Klompenhouwer, Robert Serry, Joris Voorhoeve, and Vita Kovalenko, we reflected on what supporting Ukraine means for Europe today: shared security, economic resilience, the housing crisis faced by internally displaced families, and the challenge of sustaining attention in a long war. The discussion was thoughtful, candid, and grounded in a shared sense of responsibility.
The second part of the evening focused on action. Daan Hartge presented the Build Back Bio initiative — a sustainable reconstruction programme developing energy-efficient homes for families whose houses were destroyed by the war. Beja Kluiters shared insights into OpenDoorUkraine.NL’s humanitarian work across Ukraine, from delivering generators to supporting elderly residents, children, and mental health initiatives. Particularly moving was the testimony of Julia Skripka, who travelled from Ukraine to describe how this assistance is experienced on the ground: as tangible support and as reassurance that people are not facing hardship alone.
A special moment of the evening came with the performance of Ukrainian soprano Anna Karnovska, accompanied by Muza. Her music reminded us that Ukraine defends far more than territory — it protects culture, dignity, and the future of a free society.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us — donors, partners, volunteers, and friends. Your presence affirmed something simple yet powerful: solidarity is strongest when it is shared in community, sustained over time, and translated into action.
Click here for more photos from the event.
