A new report has warned that Ukraine nonprofits working under conditions of the longstanding war are increasingly under stain. 

Financial uncertainty, through a lack of long-term funding, staff burnout and the Ukraine war adding pressure to workloads are all cited as challenges by Philanthropy In Ukraine.  

Despite the concerns, the report notes that there have been ‘numerous signs of positive momentum’, with nonprofits ‘embracing innovative approaches’ and becoming increasingly resourceful.  

Solidarity and collaboration have also increased within the sector since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  

Ukrainian nonprofits have also deepened their relationships with international donors and partners, though the report warns ‘equitable project implementation and amplifying Ukrainian voices on the international stage’ are a concern. 

A percieved ‘lack of trust’ with ‘insufficient transfer of ownership to local organisations’ is a barrier between local nonprofits and international donors.  

‘Misunderstandings between partners can occur when the support provided is not relevant. For better understanding, open dialogue and access to analytical data are essential,’ it adds. 

Charitable and public organisations quickly ‘became among the first to cover humanitarian and safety needs faced by citizens as well as help the army,’ says the report.  

‘In extraordinarily difficult circumstances they managed to direct enormous mobilisation potential of the population in a constructive direction by coordinating volunteers and financial flows. They quickly established the distribution of international aid. Today the public and charitable sectors constitute not only a crisis and humanitarian response, but they also participate in Ukraine’s development and recovery,’ it adds. 

In July, one of Germany’s biggest foundations warned that Ukraine is in dire need of ‘non traditional’ funding models, with short-term philanthropy having ‘exacerbated’ Ukraine’s volatile situation and international funding drying up by the end of the year.

Markus Lux, senior vice president at Robert Bosch Stiftung, told Alliance that initiatives launched in 2022 were done so through ‘rapid, but also short-term funding’, as part of emergency aid. However, much of that funding has dried up, with many programmes no longer able to continue.  

Ukraine’s civil society groups are now under pressure to find new funding to remain sustainable, he added.

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor at Alliance magazine.