On December 2, 2025, a ceremony was held at the Kyiv City State Administration to honor volunteers in celebration of International Volunteer Day, observed on December 5.
Over 80 volunteers from various sectors, who provide daily support to thousands of people in need, were invited to the city administration. This event served as an opportunity to thank these active citizens for their dedication and contribution to the development of the Kyiv community.
Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Marina Honda greeted the activists and expressed gratitude for their daily work, humanity, and willingness to help others even in the most challenging conditions. She emphasized that it is the volunteer community that has enabled Kyiv and the country to endure in critical moments, providing support to those who need it most — from evacuating children with disabilities to delivering humanitarian aid and ongoing support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Volunteering is when you act not for reward, but for the sake of people. When you give your time and resources for others, and you do this because your heart compels you.
Volunteers have been the force that prepared food, transported people, and supported those in difficult life circumstances during the hardest days, both in 2014 and 2022. Thanks to the unity of the government, the public, and the volunteer movement, we stood strong then — and we continue to hold on today,” said Marina Honda.
She emphasized that the volunteer movement is an essential part of Ukrainian resilience: “I am confident that volunteering in Ukraine will only strengthen, as supporting each other is our national trait.”
Among the awardees was Svitlana Volynets from the public organization “Center for International Relations,” who has been aiding military and civilians affected by Russian aggression since 2014. According to her, through partners in the USA, they received over a million tourniquets. The organization has delivered over 100 tons of food for displaced persons, supports children’s homes, and organizes events for children. Svitlana stated that she continues volunteering out of a calling: “It is a divine calling — to help people.”
Another awardee, Anatoliy Matveyev, head of the NGO “Veterans of Military Counterintelligence of Ukraine,” supports the Armed Forces, helps military families and veterans. Volunteers also care for rehabilitation centers in Vorzel and surrounding areas to ensure people have access to necessary assistance close to home.
Matveyev highlighted that the recognition from the city authorities is an important acknowledgment of the years of work by volunteers.
