GOLD
DTEK: Keeping the lights on for Ukraine – The #FightForLight
You can’t get further from ‘business-as-usual’ operating in a warzone. Energy leader and national hero Maxim Timchenko continues to be unbreakable. Delivering his bold vision, driving change to renewables in Ukraine and Europe while ensuring Ukrainian homes and hospitals have light, even in the darkest times.
He set up DTEK 19-years ago, the first Ukrainian investor in renewables in 2012. DTEK’s modernising the sector, improving efficiency to combat climate change, catalysing opportunities in key blocked markets, Europe-wide.
DTEK’s an ethical business, an example for anti-corruption for the whole country. It’s persuaded government to maintain competitive tension in the market, resisting degeneration to a communist state.
Following 2022’s invasion, Maxim, recognised Ukraine’s dependence on russian energy. He ensured this was cut within days, establishing a connection via ENTSO-E to the European grid, positioning DTEK to import energy from, and sell excess renewables back to, Europe. A vital step against russian energy blackmail.
Spending $158 million on humanitarian aid in 2022, DTEK’s helped restore electricity supplies destroyed by shelling to 5million+ homes, reinforcing Ukraine’s independence and keeping people connected.
Engineers completing the latest windfarm miles from the frontline must wear body armour; supported by DTEK, they do this with pride.
SILVER
Ferrexpo: Humanitarian Fund: Standing with Ukraine
The Ferrexpo Humanitarian Fund was established in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aiming to provide aid to employees, local communities, and displaced civilians. Led by Yurii Khymych, the project initially focused on offering shelter, food, and medical assistance, with long-term goals of employment and housing support. It has achieved significant impact, aiding over 5 million Ukrainians across 12 regions, in addition to sending provisions to the 669 employees currently mobilised. Innovative initiatives such as free childcare and animal rescue efforts have been implemented. The project showcases Ferrexpo’s commitment to social responsibility and solidarity with Ukraine during challenging times: the initial US$15m deployed for the Fund came entirely from Ferrexpo’s own finances, and the project has grown to draw on the Company’s facilities and social schemes including kitchens, childcare, and camp accommodation.
BRONZE
Healing Venezuela: Humanitarian Response in Venezuela
Healing Venezuela is a UK-registered charity founded in 2016 to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. As per reports from the UN, UNICEF and other international bodies, there are more than 8 million Venezuelan refugees mainly in Latin and North America. This massive exodus can be explained by numbers: 70% of Venezuelans live on less than $2 a day. Malnutrition in children skyrocketed reaching 26%, the worst levels in Latin America. Basic medicines like antibiotics couldn’t be found leading to unnecessarily premature deaths. More sophisticated treatments for cancer or organ transplants are unavailable. At the beginning, Healing Venezuela collected medical supplies discarded but still usable from health centres in the UK and other European countries. We shipped more than 12 tons of medical supplies. Other programmes we run are: 1. sponsoring junior doctors as they are at the forefront of medical care in hospitals but earn $50 per month, 2. Installing and maintaining water treatment plants, as water quality is very poor 3. Feeding children at risk of malnutrition 4. Donating or repairing medical equipment. Because we focus on high impact projects with a multiplying effect, to date more than 1,500,000 have benefited directly and indirectly from our programmes.
BRONZE
JA Europe & UNICEF: ‘UPLIFT’-ing Ukrainian displaced youth with the skills to build their future
In February 2022, as the war broke out in Ukraine, the lives of more than 14.6 million Ukrainian people were disrupted, forcing many to move to neighbouring countries.
As the conflict lasted, forcing young people to leave the country, a whole generation was at risk of losing their education and opportunities for the future.
JA Europe and UNICEF came together to devise and launch UPLIFT – a bespoke education programme which equips vulnerable adolescents from Ukraine and neighbouring countries with the skills, mindset, and confidence needed to foster successful integration and build prosperous future communities.
The skills project was run on the ground across 11 neighboring countries of Ukraine with youth and adolescents.With the ambition to leave no-one behind, the project included innovation camps, social cohesion, skills-based workshops support, and a digital educational platform that was delivered through compelling, relevant influencers that could reach displaced young people on the move.
JA Europe’s objective has always been to help young people feel a sense of ownership over their own future. For a generation impacted by war, securing that future is all the more important and this skills programme was designed to be accessible, with equitable access regardless of location.