Open Platform

Participating in Cafe Kyiv is always full of inspiring conversations, new connections, and meaningful exchange, and this year was no different. 💙 We contributed to the program with two panel discussions: 1️⃣ From stories to records: How Ukraine is shaping its collective memory, moderated by our Managing Director, Annegret Wulff. Organized by Commit gGmbH in cooperation with Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ) and Stiftung EVZ (@evzfoundation ). 2️⃣ Participation that matters: Active global Ukrainian Community for Resilience and Europe’s Democratic Future, moderated by Nataliya Pryhornytska. Organized by Open Platform (@open_platform_berlin ) / Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations (@ukr_alliance ) and Commit gGmbH, Vidnova Plus Program (@vidnovaprogram ) in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and National Unity of Ukraine, Platform for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Civil Network OPORA (@cn.opora ) and Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ). Besides our two panels, our Vidnova Program Lead, Ola Kotska (@olhakotska ) and many members of the Vidnova community were also actively engaged in other discussions throughout the program. We are proud to see them take up well-deserved space to share their valuable experiences and knowledge, and create new connections and opportunities for exchange! A big thank you to our team at the stand for sharing our work with visitors, to our speakers for their contributions, and to the team of @cafekyiv_berlin / @onlinekas for making it all possible. We hope to be back next year! 🇺🇦 🔗 Full photo album available in our bio, captured by @ola_zarko .

Am 21.02.2026 fand in Stuttgart ein besonderes Treffen ukrainischer Organisationen aus Baden-Württemberg statt. Gemeinsam organisiert von @natalka_pry @open_platform_berlin / @ukr_alliance @iryna.zefran.coach von @able_e.v @_pototskaya__ @larmarphoto von @frauenunion_bw_de @ant.vlas und @afianella von @gelblau.ua brachte die Veranstaltung engagierte Vertreterinnen und Vertreter verschiedener Initiativen zusammen. Ziel des Treffens war es, sich kennenzulernen, Kontakte zu knüpfen, Erfahrungen auszutauschen und über mögliche gemeinsame Ziele zu sprechen. Der offene Dialog und das gegenseitige Interesse haben einmal mehr gezeigt, wie viel Potenzial in unserer Zusammenarbeit steckt. Das Wichtigste ist: Eines Tages wird es eine starke, vereinte und gut vernetzte ukrainische Community in Baden-Württemberg geben. Und wir arbeiten bereits heute gemeinsam daran. 💙💛 Danke an alle Organisationen und Teilnehmenden für eure Offenheit, eure Energie und euren Einsatz! #supportukraine #ukrainegram #civilsocietycooperation #zivilgesellschaft #theländ

Our 4th Vidnova Forum brought together around 70 actors dedicated to supporting Ukraine and strengthening democracy across Europe. We are deeply grateful to Ilona Havronska (@selfvoker ) Deputy Minister for Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine; Nataliya Pryhornytska from Open Platform, and our Managing Director Annegret Wulff, for their inspiring speeches that resonate beyond the room. Here are some thoughts that stayed with us: ✨ Engagement for Ukraine is not only about resistance, it is about agency: it means creating space for local initiatives, civil society actors, and the global Ukrainian community to actively shape democratic life — in Ukraine, in Germany, and across Europe. ✨ When institutions are attacked, when security is fragile, and when uncertainty becomes daily reality, it is often civil society that holds the fabric together. This is not heroism — it’s shared responsibility. Strong civil society and functioning institutions must reinforce one another. ✨ We should be careful to not romanticize resilience, because resilience often grows from necessity, not from choice. True solidarity with Ukrainians means partnership at eye level. ✨ Social cohesion is part of national security. We were honoured to have on the panel Oleksandra Bienert - researcher, photographer; Tetyana Lavuta (@tetyana_nazarenko ) - Vidnova Plus Engagement graduate; and Dr. Lukas Fuchs - migration and refugee researcher. More insights from this discussion coming soon! A big thank you goes also to @tania.krukovska project manager of Vidnova Plus Engagement, and Olha Kotska, lead of Vidnova program for moderating; @shlyakh_dorizhenka for a performance that truly moved us; and especially to our Lisa Dorfhuber and Malwina Fendrych-Bluhm, whose thoughtful hosting made this entire event possible down to the smallest detail. 🧡 🔗 Full photo album via the link in bio. Photo credits: @ola_zarko Organized by Commit gGmbH in cooperation with Open Platform (open_platform_berlin) and the Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations (@ukr_alliance ), funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ) and the European Union within the project Resilient Democracies.

​🌍 EUROPE’S FUTURE IS DECIDED TODAY: UFU AT CAFE KYIV 2026 ​Two years since its inception, Cafe Kyiv has become a vital platform for dialogue on Ukraine's future in the heart of Germany. This year, the Ukrainian Free University didn’t just attend – we served as an intellectual partner and co-organizer of key discussions shaping our continent's security architecture. ​For UFU, participating in #CafeKyiv2026 is a continuation of our century-old mission: to be the voice of a free Ukraine in Europe and a hub for strategic thinking. ​🏛 UFU INTELLECTUAL PRESENCE: FROM PANELS TO SOLUTIONS ​Our university was represented at the highest level, with our faculty driving expert discussions: 🔹​Prof. Kateryna Kobchenko highlighted the importance of decolonizing Ukrainian history within the European context during a panel on historical memory and cultural diplomacy. 🔹​Prof. Andrii Portnov spoke on the transformation of public sentiment and the vital role of intellectuals during wartime. ​UFU co-organized the signature panel: "Securing Europe’s Future in Freedom," featuring Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk, Bundestag members, and top European experts. ​🤝 DIPLOMACY & NEW HORIZONS ​Beyond the stage, UFU Chancellor Dmytro Shevchenko held strategic negotiations with leaders of prominent Ukrainian and German organizations. ​"Cafe Kyiv is a space where synergy is born. Today, UFU serves as a bridge between Ukrainian experience and European institutions." – Chancellor Shevchenko. ​Key Outcomes: 🔹​Agreements on joint educational and research projects with European think tanks. 🔹​Strengthened cooperation with Ukrainian NGOs in Germany to support young scientific talent. 🔹​Aligned strategic vectors with partners like Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Open Platform. ​WHY IT MATTERS ​Ukraine is more than a defensive frontier; it is a center of meaning. Our participation at Cafe Kyiv confirms that UFU remains a sanctuary of free thought, actively shaping the future agenda for both Ukraine and Europe. ​Thank you to all our partners for standing with us on the intellectual front! 🛡📚 📝 Dr. Liliia Bondarenko (@lilianinlife ) #УВУ #UFU #CafeKyiv2026 #UkraineInEU

Statement der Allianz Ukrainischer Organisationen
zum 12. Jahrestag von Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine Vor zwölf Jahren, im Februar 2014, begann Russland seinen Krieg gegen die Ukraine.
Mit der Besetzung der Krym und dem entfesselten Krieg im Donbas wurde das Völkerrecht gebrochen – und Europas Sicherheitsordnung angegriffen. Der 24. Februar 2022 war keine Zäsur des Beginns, sondern die brutale Eskalation eines längst andauernden Krieges. Seit zwölf Jahren verteidigt die Ukraine nicht nur ihr eigenes Überleben, sondern die Grundpfeiler Europas: Freiheit, Selbstbestimmung und die Unverletzlichkeit von Grenzen. Dieser Krieg richtet sich nicht nur gegen die Ukraine – er richtet sich gegen die Idee eines friedlichen Europas. Worte der Solidarität reichen nicht mehr aus.
Was die Ukraine braucht, sind konsequente politische Entscheidungen. Dazu gehört jetzt auch die Lieferung von Taurus-Marschflugkörpern.
Nicht als Eskalation – sondern als notwendiger Schritt zur Selbstverteidigung.
Nicht, um Krieg zu verlängern – sondern um ihn zu beenden. Ohne die Fähigkeit, russische militärische Infrastruktur, Nachschubwege und Kommandozentralen wirksam zu treffen, bleibt die Ukraine strukturell im Nachteil. Jede Verzögerung kostet Leben. Jede Zurückhaltung stärkt den Aggressor. Geschichte lehrt uns:
Unentschlossenheit verlängert Gewalt. Klarheit schafft Abschreckung. Deutschland trägt – aus seiner Geschichte heraus – eine besondere Verantwortung. Diese Verantwortung bedeutet heute, der Ukraine das zu geben, was sie braucht, um sich zu verteidigen und Frieden zu erzwingen: Schutz, Stärke und Handlungsfähigkeit. 
Frieden entsteht nicht durch Zögern – sondern durch Entschlossenheit

4th Vidnova Forum ~ Pre-Cafe Kyiv: United for Solutions – how does Ukraine inspire engagement today? 📍22 February 2026 A big thank you to @projecttogether for trusting us with the space! 💙 Organized by Commit gGmbH in cooperation with Open Platform (open_platform_berlin) and the Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations (@ukr_alliance ), funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ) and the European Union within the project Resilient Democracies. Song: Позич мені сонце by Океан Ельзи

🌍 МАЙБУТНЄ ЄВРОПИ ВИРІШУЄТЬСЯ СЬОГОДНІ: Ukrainische Freie Universität - Український Вільний Університет НА CAFE KYIV 2026! Україна – це не просто частина Європи, це невід’ємна складова загальноєвропейської безпеки та стійкості. Як вступ України до ЄС змінить архітектуру стабільності на континенті? Запрошуємо вас долучитися до важливої дискусії в межах #CafeKyiv, співорганізатором якої виступає Український Вільний Університет. 📋 ПАНЕЛЬНА ДИСКУСІЯ: «Гарантування майбутнього Європи у свободі: вступ України до ЄС як поворотний момент для європейської стабільності та стійкості» 🗓 Коли: 23 лютого 2026 року ⏰ Час: 16:15 – 17:00 📍 Де: Colosseum Berlin | KINO 7 ПРО ЩО ГОВОРИТИМЕМО? ❗Вплив російської агресії на європейські цінності та верховенство права. ❗Роль Німеччини та ЄС у подоланні сучасних викликів безпеки. ❗Механізми компенсацій та репарацій за воєнні злочини рф через Раду Європи. ⭐ НАШІ СПІКЕРИ: 🔹Oleksandra Matviichuk – правозахисниця, голова Center for Civil Liberties / Центр громадянських свобод, лауреатка Нобелівської премії миру 2022. 🔹Густав Грессель – PhD, військовий експерт Академії національної оборони у Відні. 🔹Roderich Kiesewetter – член Бундестагу (CDU). 🔹Д-р Анна-Майя Мертенс – президентка Europäische Bewegung Deutschland e.V. 🎤 Модератор: Катерина Стецевич – Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb) 🗣 Вітальне слово: Наталія Пригорницька (Open Platform / Allianz Ukrainischer Organisationen). 🌐 Захід відбудеться англійською мовою. Дякуємо партнерам – Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Open Platform, bpb та іншим – за можливість разом формувати інтелектуальний фронт Європи. До зустрічі в Берліні! Свобода має перемогти! ✌️🇺🇦

Ukraine’s EU accession is of fundamental importance to Europe’s shared security, freedom, and stability. This panel at @cafekyiv_berlin 2026 examines the security-related and societal significance of Ukraine’s EU membership and demonstrates why Europe’s resilience cannot be conceived without Ukraine. 📌 Join us on February 23, from 16:15-17:00, at @colloseum.berlin , Kino 7! Greeting: Nataliya Pryhornytska, (@open_platform_berlin / @ukr_alliance ) Panel: ▶️Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina_ua ) ▶️Dr. Gustav Gressel (@gustav.gressel ) ▶️Roderich Kiesewetter (@roderich_kiesewetter ) ▶️Dr. Anna-Maija Mertens (@netzwerkebd ) Moderation: Kateryna Stetsevych (@bpb_de ) The discussion focuses on the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine since 2014 on European values, the rule of law, and democratic resilience. It also highlights the responsibility and role of Germany and the European Union in addressing these challenges. In addition, the importance of the Council of Europe in addressing Russian war crimes and in establishing mechanisms for compensation and reparations is assessed. Organized by @open_platform_berlin / @ukr_alliance , @netzwerkebd , in cooperation with @ufu.muc and @bpb , partially funded by @councilofeurope . #FreedomMustWin #CafeKyiv #StandWithUkraine

Our second panel at @cafekyiv_berlin , Participation that matters: Active global Ukrainian Community for Resilience and Europe’s Democratic Future, brings together representatives from political institutions and civil society to examine how global Ukrainian engagement strengthens resilience and democratic development across Europe. 🪢 From diverse perspectives, the panel will discuss how active participation and cross-sectoral cooperation strengthen political processes, foster social cohesion, and make reconstruction-related efforts more effective and sustainable. By linking international political cooperation with domestic policy discussions, the panel aims to underscore how crucial this interplay is for resilience and Europe’s shared democratic future. With Ilona Havronska ~ Dr. Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka (@bmz_bund ) ~ Kateryna Ryabiko (@cn.opora ) ~ Kateryna Survilova (@kat_survilova , @vidnovaprogram ) ~ moderated by Nataliya Pryhornytska (@open_platform_berlin @ukr_alliance ). ⏰ We are looking forward to this discussion! If you’re visiting Cafe Kyiv, please join us at 12:15-13:00, Kino 4. Organized by Open Platform (@open_platform_berlin ) / Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations (@ukr_alliance ) and Commit gGmbH, Vidnova Plus Program (@vidnovaprogram ) in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and National Unity of Ukraine, Platform for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Civil Network OPORA (@cn.opora ) and Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ). #CafeKyiv #FreedomMustWin #StandWithUkraine

Our second panel contribution to @cafekyiv_berlin titled Participations that matters: Active global Ukrainian Community for Resilience and Europe’s Democratic Future, will take place from 12:15-13:00, at Kino 4 (@colosseum.berlin ). 🙌 This discussion aims to highlights the role of the global Ukrainian community as a bridge between Germany and Ukraine. It illustrates the strategic and societal potential that emerges when the diaspora, Ukrainian civil society, and state actors in both countries join forces. 🌱 Speakers Ilona Havronska Dr. Ulrike Hopp-Nishanka (@bmz_bund ) Kateryna Ryabiko (@cn.opora ) Kateryna Survilova (@kat_survilova , fellow @vidnovaprogram ) 🎤 Moderation Nataliya Pryhornytska (@open_platform_berlin @ukr_alliance ) The panel will take place in English. Organized by Open Platform / Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations and Commit gGmbH, Vidnova Plus Program (@vidnovaprogram ) in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and National Unity of Ukraine, Platform for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Civil Network OPORA (@cn.opora ) and Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ). #CafeKyiv #FreedomMustWin #StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Resilience

Stellungnahme der Allianz Ukrainischer Organisationen Bestraft für die Erinnerung Die Allianz Ukrainischer Organisationen verurteilt den Ausschluss des ukrainischen Olympiasportlers Wladyslaw Heraskewytsch vom Skeleton-Rennen durch das Internationale Olympische Komitee (IOC) auf das Schärfste…~>

As a prelude to Cafe Kyiv, we are opening the conversation with our 4th Vidnova Forum: United for Solutions – how does Ukraine inspire engagement today? 💛 It is designed as a smaller, in-depth gathering for meaningful exchange bringing together about 60 civil society actors and allies committed to supporting Ukraine and a democratic Europe. 👉 Focus areas • Local action: How communities can contribute to Ukraine on the ground • Migration and engagement: Participation, inclusion, and shared responsibility of Global Ukrainian Community • Communication: Narratives and common goals 📍Practical information • 22 February 2026, 13:00-17:00 • Community Space of ProjectTogether in Berlin-Mitte • Included: a cozy networking lunch and an informal evening 🔗 Read the full invitation and register via the link in bio. Organized by Commit gGmbH in cooperation with Open Platform (@open_platform_berlin ) and the Alliance of Ukrainian Organizations (@ukr_alliance ), funded by the Robert Bosch Stiftung (@boschstiftung ) and the European Union within the project Resilient Democracies.