Supporting the Attendance of a Grassroots Volunteer at an International Summit

Earlier this month, the Women’s Opportunity Fund (WOF-UA) awarded a travel grant that made it possible for Anna Andruseiko, a representative of the Sphere Women Association in Kharkiv, to participate in the First International Volunteer Summit in Brussels. Her participation significantly elevated the association, which works on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine, supporting women, the LGBTQ+ community and other vulnerable groups

The summit brought together more than 90 participants, including parliamentarians, diplomats, civil society leaders and international partners, with key figures in attendance such as Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, and Vsevolod Chentsov, Ambassador of Ukraine to the EU. Discussions centered on the power of volunteering in wartime, gender equality, community resilience and the long-term recovery of Ukraine. Anna’s presence highlighted the essential grassroots work being done on the ground and contributed to a broader dialogue on collective responsibility and global support.