Ukrainian organizations must actively assert themselves in order to remain in the spotlight of Europe’s attention. Currently, Ukraine is no longer at the center of focus. These conclusions were shared by Marina Chaika, Partnerships Manager at the Peaceful Heaven of Kharkiv Charitable Foundation, who participated in the 2025 European Humanitarian Forum.

The event, held in Brussels from May 19 to 21, gathered over 3,000 participants and representatives from more than 1,000 organizations, including UN agencies, donors, international and local NGOs, and businesses. It was organized by DG ECHO and the Government of Belgium.

The main topics of the forum included: localization and support of local organizations, humanitarian aid funding, donor transparency, protection of humanitarian space, assistance to children, gender equality, prevention of violence, international humanitarian law, and diplomacy.

“Although Ukraine had a dedicated session, the overall focus of the forum shifted to the Middle East, Somalia, Pakistan, and Haiti. For Ukrainian NGOs, this is a signal: to remain influential, it’s not enough to simply be present — they must actively make their voices heard,” commented Marina Chaika.

A point of controversy was DG ECHO’s stance on not being ready to directly fund local organizations. Ukrainian NGOs emphasized that localization without direct cooperation is a fiction.

“The European Humanitarian Forum is not just a discussion platform — it is a venue where global decisions are made. Ukrainian organizations must not only participate, but also act as active players,” Marina Chaika concluded.