The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had severe consequences for the civilian population. Consequently, Denmark has provided extensive support to Ukrainians through various humanitarian aid efforts. Danish foundations are no exception. Several foundations and a business continue their efforts through donations in collaboration with Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska’s foundation.
To support the many orphaned Ukrainian children, the A.P. Møller Support Foundation is backing Olena Zelenska Foundation’s work to build new and safe homes for so-called large foster families. The need for foster families in Ukraine is significant. Additionally, many existing homes for foster families near the front lines have been destroyed during the war.
Each new home will accommodate up to ten children and their foster parents. In modern facilities and under supervision, foster families will have the opportunity to create a safe home for children who have lost everything. The A.P. Møller Support Foundation expects that up to ten new homes for large foster families can be constructed.
Several other foundations and companies further support the Danish effort in Ukraine. The LEGO Foundation, the Lundbeck Foundation, the Tuborg Foundation, the Orient’s Steamship Company Foundation, DSV A/S, and the Lauritzen Foundation are supporting Olena Zelenska Foundation’s efforts to restore a creativity and sports center outside Kyiv. The existing facilities were destroyed in 2022, leaving children and young people without a place to engage in sports and creative activities.
This collaboration takes place within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Danish-Ukrainian cooperation for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine, signed by Business Minister Morten Bødskov and the Ukrainian Minister of Economy in April 2024.
Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov:
"Denmark's support for Ukraine's fight for freedom does not stop. The war has enormous consequences for the civilian population. I have had the opportunity to see for myself how much of a difference humanitarian aid makes. Here, the various Danish foundations have taken a big responsibility and reached out to help especially the Ukrainian children whose everyday lives have been torn apart. Thanks to Olena Zelenska for her great work and thanks to all the foundations for being part of the important work and underlining Denmark's willingness to continue to help where we can."
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska:
“It was pleasing to hear from the Minister that, following our trip to Denmark in April this year and the presentation of the Foundation's initiatives, more and more Danish companies and foundations are willing to support Ukrainians through the Foundation’s projects. We carried out extensive preparatory work, and now we have tangible results: several Danish organizations are joining the implementation of two large-scale, long-term construction projects,"
The participating foundations also expressed great satisfaction in contributing to the overall Danish effort:
CEO of the LEGO Foundation, Sidsel Marie Kristensen:
"At the LEGO Foundation, we have been engaged in Ukraine for nearly 15 years in close collaboration with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education. We continued this partnership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and we are very pleased to join other Danish foundations in strengthening the effort to help Ukraine’s children and young people navigate the war and prepare them to contribute to Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction."
CEO of the Lundbeck Foundation, Lene Skole:
"We are facing an extraordinary situation with war in Europe. At the Lundbeck Foundation, we are pleased to join other Danish foundations in supporting an initiative that provides Ukrainian children with opportunities for creativity and sports in their daily lives. This donation complements our initial emergency aid for Ukraine at the onset of the war and our ongoing efforts to improve mental health for adult Ukrainians here in Denmark."
The company DSV has also donated funds to the project for establishing the creativity and sports center:
CEO of DSV, Jens Lund:
"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had severe consequences for millions of people. That is why we are pleased to support the Olena Zelenska Foundation’s work, which makes a tremendous difference for vulnerable Ukrainian children and contributes to the country’s reconstruction."