EVZ

#MeetOurEVZFellows

In our series, we introduce young activists from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus who are working on social and humanitarian projects in their home countries. Through the EVZ Fellowship Program, they received a three-month short-term fellowship to continue their involvement in organizations in Germany, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic and other countries.

Ukraine

Anzhelika Bielova

Anzhelika Bielova has been working for the rights of Rom:nja in her native Ukraine for six years. With her Voice of Romni project, she provides humanitarian aid, supports in organizational and legal matters, communicates the needs of the community at the national level and campaigns for their rights there as well as at the international level.
© Press service of the Office Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights

Ukraine

Oleksandra Koryak

Since her law studies, Oleksandra Koryak was active in Roma organizations in the Donetsk region: organizing cultural events and supporting the community in legal issues. After graduation, she began to advocate for Roma rights in her homeland at an international political level.
Ukraine

Natali Tomenko

Already in 2018, Natali Tomenko curated an exhibition about the genocide of the Roma in Ukraine during World War II for an EVZ-funded project. Today, she works with her youth organization to address the acute needs of the Roma community during the war in Ukraine and helps evacuate civilians.
Ukraine

Кateryna Romanenko

Kateryna had to flee her hometown Zaporizhzhya, where she was involved in an organization for youth rights - the journey to Poland took five days. The Animus Foundation in Katowice supports her to continue the activities of her organization from Poland.

Why are the fellowships being set up?

Due to Russia’s war of aggression, the safety of our partners in Ukraine is at immediate risk and their work is significantly impaired. Many have had and are having to leave the country at short notice but also want to continue playing an active role on behalf of their country. In addition, our partners in Belarus and Russia, who feel a sense of connection with the objectives of the EVZ Foundation and work to promote peace, are being subjected to intense political pressure. Their organizations are being banned or harassed by the authorities.

What are the program’s objectives?

The program provides for a three-month stay in a foreign country for persons who have to leave their home country due to the war or are in personal danger due to their status as activists at risk in their home country. These individuals will gain experience with host organizations, receive professional training, and continue their involvement or seek a new direction abroad.

At the moment all Fellowships are given away, new applications will not be considered anymore.