We Natolinians for Ukrainians

Natolin, 10 March 2022.

Information bulletin on initiatives in support of the Ukrainians by the College of Europe in Natolin Community ON CAMPUS Our Natolin Community continues to provide support to Ukrainians and Ukraine.

During the weekend the student-led crowdfunding initiative ended, raising a total of 45.676 PLN or ca. 9.000 EUR. It is worth recalling that a bake sale on Thursday, 3 March mobilised another 2.323 PLN or ca.

475 EUR in less than two hours.

On Thursday, 3 March, a community gathering was organized. Our Ukrainian students addressed the community, and a discussion took place in which all students were allowed to provide their opinions and explain their feelings about the war in Ukraine. Łukasz Dobromirski presented the “We Natolinians for Ukrainians” Task Force, its goals, composition and modus operandi.

Students agreed to continue the following days to identify further possible student-led initiatives to assist Ukraine and Ukrainians.

The students have also organised a collection of products to cover the basic needs of people already displaced in the first days of the war in Ukraine. Three cars-full of goods went to the Polish-Ukrainian border.

In these difficult times, the College of Europe in Natolin is offering continuous psychological support to our students, staff and alumni, with a special focus on our Ukrainian students. There are two psychotherapists/counsellors available for assistance. Individual and group sessions are available upon request.

Two experts working with the College of Europe in Natolin on the implementation of the Natolin4Capacity Building programme asked that their entire remuneration be transferred towards assistance to Ukrainian refugees. The N4CB is a training project funded by the EU and implemented by Natolin for the Ukrainian civils servants working on implementation of the Association Agreement and the DCFTA. Our Staff members are also very actively engaged in variety of actions. Some work as volunteers at reception points, others are serving as interpreters at the Polish-Ukrainian border or translating document for refugees in Warsaw. Some assist in finding accommodation for members of the Natolin Community who fled Ukraine and wish to settle in or around Warsaw or take care of families that arrived

in the early days of the war. Some of our Staff are engaged in renovating a home in Warsaw for some 20 refugees (women and children) – you can support their efforts here. A colleague offered accommodation in her family-house, hosting 6 people, while another assisted in finding a house for a family of 9 not far from Warsaw. In both cases, a collection mobilised resources to assist in covering the immediate needs of the people in their care.

Yesterday, 9 members of the Natolin Community who found shelter in Natolin left for their final destinations. 5 alumni and family members are currently on campus, while another 6 members of the Natolin Community are on their way and will find a place to rest briefly before the next leg of their journey. They are expected in the coming hours and days.

PLEASE SHARE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE •

medicalhelp.pl is a search engine for clinics, hospitals and medical facilities in Poland that serve patients in Ukrainian, Russian or English.

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Ukrainian House in Warsaw is an NGO supporting integration of migrants into Polish society and building bridges between Poles and Ukrainians.

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Ochotnicy is a volunteering initiative in Warsaw. You can get engaged in logistical support as well as translation, emergency help and psychological assistance.

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OLX dla Ukrainy – is a special channel opened on a popular online trading service, where people offer Ukrainian refugees housing, goods such as clothing, furniture, toys, services like transport, legal or medical services and many more, mostly free of charge.

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pracuj.pl - one of the leading portals with job offers in Poland created a section that lists job offers directed at Ukrainians.

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Pomagam Ukrainie is a platform set up by the Polish government to assist Ukrainian refugees and those offering assistance

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POLAND-WIDE INITIATIVES By 7 March 2022, over 1.200.000 refugees from Ukraine have already found shelter in Poland.

Poles keep offering spontaneous help to the refugees. In the train station in Przemyśl, several baby strollers were left to be picked up by arriving families. We are all truly moved seeing such level of unity, selflessness and good around us.