#StandWithUkraine - Helping Ukraine Crisis Refugees

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At Earth Changers, we’re horrified with everyone else at the events unfurling in Ukraine. Whilst we don’t have any partners in Ukraine, we have many colleagues and friends in neighbouring countries. Vicky (founder) helps coordinate the European Ecotourism Network - with many members in Eastern Europe. Below is a selection of resources we have pulled together: please let us know of more to add.

Friends and colleagues are reporting a challenging situation on the European side of borders as many people arrive towards Ukraine with donations of goods and wanting to help. Whilst coming from loving intent, coordination is required, and donations of goods have to be local need-based. Financial donations are very, very welcome, as they can be spent on what is needed, when.

At Earth Changers, as a positive impact tourism business, dedicated to sustainable development through travel, we know that sustainability - let alone cross-cultural, cross-border sustainable tourism - can never be achieved without peace and justice - it’s SDG 16 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Agenda 2030:

“Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”

Without a peaceful and inclusive environment, development isn’t 'sustainable’ ie. ‘Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (UN WCED, aka The Brundtland Report, 1987) – lack of justice doesn’t meet the needs of the present, and may compromise the future.

Tourism builds bridges, doesn’t blow them up. We are thankful for strong institutions who share values of inclusivity, security, the rule of law, human rights and good governance such as we find in the European Ecotourism Network below. If you’d like to make further suggestions to add to the list below, please do let us know.

From: European Ecotourism Network #StandwithUkraine

The European Ecotourism Network is devastated to witness the invasion of our friends’, neighbours’ and colleagues’ country of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the people.

A decade ago in 2012, the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of over 60 years of peace, reconciliation and democracy in Europe, a wonderfully complex mix of dynamic countries with much-loved diverse historic cultures.

At the European Ecotourism Network we unite with a common purpose and vision of enjoyment and benefits of a sustainable world, through thriving nature and culture with positive impact on local communities. We know peace is a prerequisite to the triple bottom line of society, environment and economy. Conflict, destroying people, planet and profit, will never be sustainable.

In ecotourism throughout Europe, effects will be felt but we will continue to bring together people on a human basis of common values and ethics. Only ceasefire and peace will enable sustainability.

As a network representing and supporting rural communities throughout European countries, many of our members are involved in helping initiatives to support the Ukrainian people.

Please find below a list of resources compiled by our members, with members of Travel Massive, to help Ukraine.

Please note this list is not exhaustive and does not constitute or imply our endorsement or due diligence of these initiatives.

We invite you to join, support, share and suggest further:

Please all sign this Change.org petition for Making Tourism a Force for Peace https://www.change.org/p/tourismforceforpeace

In Ukraine:

Travel Organisations helping Ukrainian Refugees:

International:

Belgium and Netherlands:

  • #Plekvrij (“Space available”): Search social media. Local people can sign up (e.g. on the website of their hometown) - this is coordinated in the entire country.

Bulgaria:

Finland:

Germany:

Moldova:

Montenegro:

  • The Embassy of Ukraine in Montenegro has opened an official account for donations
    from Montenegro. The account number is 530-32387-46, NLB Bank.

Poland:

Romania:

  • Aggregator aiming to facilitate a rapid response to all the needs of refugees and border volunteers: https://refugees.ro/

UK:

US:

Rest of World:

Thank you.