“Localization Ambassador” — an award by the Alliance of UA CSOs for a fundamental contribution to the development of local leadership in Ukraine!
The award ceremony was hosted by Nataliia Tulinova, Member of the Steering Committee of the Alliance and CEO of the “Zdorovi” agency: “Wonderful organization, substance, content, and meaning. Thank you for my favorite role — announcing the winners! Presenting awards to the best is a true honor! Nothing can inspire one to work in this sector more than the realization of the caliber of people you work with!”
The laureates of the 2026 “Localization Ambassador” award are:
Iryna Vereshchuk
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
Felix Baumann
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova
People in Need
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine
Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine and Sida
Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
БФ "Право на захист"
Manuel Bessler
The Grand Bargain Ambassador
Key Messages from the Award Laureates:
Iryna Vereshchuk
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
emphasized that today, localization is not just a matter of efficiency, but a matter of national resilience:
“We are living in a prolonged war of attrition, which means we need strong local expertise. Our experience has shown that humanitarian response is an integral component of the national resilience and security system. That is why I urge international partners to transfer more responsibility and more leadership to Ukrainian organizations.”
Felix Baumann
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova
“Our interventions are not limited exclusively to humanitarian aid and programs. They also include support for local municipalities, social workers, medical teams, and volunteers — everyone who supports communities and continues to work under immense pressure. After all, recovery is not just about rebuilding infrastructure; it is also about protecting and promoting human dignity. It is about protection and hope. And the greatest lesson that the Ukrainian community can give to the world is that even in the darkest moments, we can survive thanks to human solidarity.”
Jessica Preston Amy
IOM Representative
thanked Ukrainian partners and the international community for supporting localization:
“I want to thank the donor community and urge you to continue advocating for localization at your headquarters. Thank you also to all partners and colleagues involved for your dedication.”
Anna Duda
People in Need
emphasized that localization is not about cost-cutting, but about the right approach:
“Leadership at the local level will continue and be supported not because of the price tag, but because it is simply the right thing to do.”
Joanna Garbalinska
speaking on behalf of Sweden
reaffirmed support for equal partnerships and direct funding for local organizations:
“Localization and local action are the priorities of our operations. We will continue to foster equal partnerships and increase direct funding to local actors.”
Dariya Mosiienko
Director of the Humanitarian NGO Platform in Ukraine
dedicated the award to the entire platform community:
“This is a recognition of the work of the previous team and the contribution of more than 130 members of our platform. This award belongs to you.”
Dariya Chekalova
Coordinator of the “PULSE” Consortium (Right to Protection)
stressed that localization is the path to sustainable assistance:
“Localization is the single method, principle, and tool that will help us provide truly sustainable and effective aid to the people who need it most.”
Manuel Bessler
The Grand Bargain Ambassador
addressed Ukrainian organizations with words of gratitude and recognition:
“Never forget that you are the voices of those in need. You possess the contextual knowledge, the public trust, and the commitment. Without you, nothing would work.”
The words of Mila Leonova, Director of the Alliance of UA CSOs, who concluded the ceremony with a shared wish for peace, were particularly moving:
“Let us all together wish for peace in Ukraine, so that we can truly bring this war to an end.”
This award is about trust, partnership, and the people who prove every day that localization is not a trend, but a necessary condition for a strong, resilient, and humane humanitarian force.
The conference was organized by the Alliance of UA CSOs with the support of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, the British Red Cross, FCDO, Refugees International (RI), the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), and NORCAP.