We are incredibly grateful to Zachau Design for supporting our HUG-Evac mission. Their contribution by donating to an additional vehicle is a fantastic help in our common mission!All support counts, and generosity is truly appreciated.
Together, we’re making strides towards our goals. Stay with us and help to collect money for new evacuation mobiles to save the lives of people in Ukraine 🇺🇦 🇸🇪:
• Swish: 123 0645481
• Bankgiro: 5840-2280
We are sending off the last truck to Ukraine before taking a short summer break. We are proud to announce that number 163 with loads of supplies is now on its way to Ukraine. This would not have been possible without the invaluable efforts of our fantastic volunteers. 💙
We also want to extend a big thank you to our valuable donors:
And all the private individuals who donated dog food. Your support and cooperation has been crucial for us to be able to carry out these deliveries.
We would also like to thank all our benefactors and partners for their generous contributions and support. We look forward to continuing our important work after the summer break and are grateful for everyone's commitment! Together we make a real difference and show the strength of community and solidarity.
Every contribution makes a real difference, fund our next donations directly here.
Our work never takes a break.
Thanks to our collaboration with Volvo Trucks, we sent another truck full of diapers donated by Essity to Ukraine on July 12.
All these diapers go directly to the affected children's hospital Ohmadyt, and this shows a quick, unplanned and effective coup!
Hug presents our these evacuation vehicles for wounded soldiers at the front in Ukraine. We want to thank our special partner, Volito Group, for all their support.
Their cooperation and donation have been crucial in making this project a reality and ensuring that more lives can be saved. Volito Group has donated money for five evacuation vehicles and their renovation, allowing us to help more people and save more lives. 🚑 ❤️
With the help of this type of converted vehicle, first aid can be given more quickly near the front line (3-5 km), and the wounded soldiers can be transported to the nearest field hospital. The example of our collaboration with Volito is also essential regarding the efficient and responsible use of donations.
Every contribution is important, and we strive to maximize its impact. We have already handed over some vehicles to the military and received positive feedback from military doctors who save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers on a daily basis. 💪🏻 Together with Volito, we make a difference! 💙💛
We call on Swedish companies to contribute and donate to help with more evacuation vehicles. Every small step makes a big difference in saving lives in war zones.
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Hug recently participated in Samsnack where our representative, Mariya Melnyk, highlighted crucial issues regarding the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Sweden.
📌 New Legislation: Mariya emphasized that the new law, "Improved Living Conditions for Foreigners with Temporary Protection", effective November 1, 2024, aims to provide better opportunities for registration, access to education, livelihood, and support for employment.
"It will be beneficial for those who are between 20-66 years old, are healthy and can work" says Mariya.
However, it lacks support for certain groups, mainly young people between the ages of 18-20 who cannot participate in the establishment program, and those who are older and cannot work.
📌 Integration Challenges: Many Ukrainian refugees are employed for jobs that do not match their education or skills. We hope the integration system will improve to ease the path to suitable employment.
📌 Need for Information: It is crucial that accurate information reaches Ukrainians in a timely manner. HUG is working tirelessly to spread knowledge and support to those who need it most.HUG continue to fight to ensure that Ukrainians in Sweden receive the support they need and a fair chance at a better life. Together, we make a difference.
You are welcome to read more at Stadsmissionen.
Source: https://lnkd.in/draRb83T
We at Hug are currently on our way with a convoy of eight ambulances to eastern Ukraine to assist in the ongoing war. This effort is part of our work in helping the hard-pressed healthcare in pre-frontal areas. 🚑🙌🏼
Given the recent attacks, our help is more important than ever. Many thanks to everyone who helps us in our difficult mission, donates and works on behalf of HUG and Ukraine. This particular convoy would have been impossible without the tireless work of our ambassadors such as Henrik Saxborn former CEO of Castellum , Emma Ihre from AP7 and Embracer Group , Per Josefson from the Nobelstiftelsen, Jan Holmius from Mannheimer Swartling, Deloitte, FSN Capital Partners, and many more of our friends. 🙏🏼
Thank you for your support! Together we make a big difference and save hundreds of lives every week! Total HUG 73 rescue vehicles 🚑🚐🚗 and our joint mission is far from over.
We are facing a critical time where every second, every contribution, and every ambulance can mean the difference between life and death. Your continued support is not only important – it is critical.
Become part of our important mission today or support us directly. 💛💙
Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting with the representatives of Ladies Circle Sverige in Gothenburg.
We're grateful for your support and interest in our work, we are looking forward to our future collaboration. 🇺🇦🇸🇪
Hug was founded by six women at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a critical moment of solidarity and action. The visit from Ladies Circle shows a uniting power of women and their ability to change the world for the better together. We hope that our cooperation will become inspiring to many future female leader.
Join us in our mission to support those affected by war. Only together, we can make a real difference.
We Hug you! 💙💛
Fantastic news from us at Hug! Today, our truck No. 156 left our warehouse and is heading to eastern Ukraine filled with critical items for those most affected by the war.
The cargo contains:
• 12 pallets with medical supplies
• 15 hospital beds
• 9 pallets of food for pets
• 8 pallets of baby diapers
• 2 pallets of diapers for adults
• 2 pallets of hygiene items
🏥🛡️ Big thanks to our partners Operation Change and ETOC in Kharkiv who receive and distribute the donation between hospitals, frontline, various shelters and civilians in particularly vulnerable areas.
🤝 We are always looking for new partners to support and expand our humanitarian efforts, especially in the field of healthcare. If you or your organization would like to participate in this vital activity, please contact us to inquire about collaboration opportunities.
🙏 A big thank you to everyone who supports, especially:
Sahlgrenska University Hospital
as well as many private individuals who contributed with donations including dog food.
Together we make a difference. Together we fight for hope and solidarity with Ukraine 💙💛
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Last week, the Municipality of Lilla Edet and the Work- & Makerspace in Lilla Edet hosted a heartwarming Orthodox Easter celebration, bringing together Swedish and Ukrainian communities to share traditions, culture, and support for a greater cause.
The event was filled with vibrant activities:
But the celebration was more than just a cultural exchange. It became a symbol of real, practical solidarity. The municipality organized a fundraising effort during the event, raising an incredible 22,000 SEK!
These funds were donated to Help Ukraine Gothenburg (HUG) to support our summer camp program for Ukrainian children — children whose lives have been deeply impacted by the full-scale invasion.
Thanks to this support, more children will be able to heal, grow, and simply be children again, in a safe and caring environment.
This event showed how culture can bridge communities and how even local initiatives can have a global impact. It is a reminder that when we come together — across borders, traditions, and backgrounds — we can truly make a difference.
We sincerely thank Lilla Edet Municipality and everyone involved for their dedication, warmth, and generosity.
Your support doesn't just bring hope; it builds a better future.
In February 2022, Ivanna Korobko came to Sweden from Ukraine. Thanks to the Care Connect With Ukraine project, she quickly found work at Sahlgrenska Hospital, something she is grateful for.
The spring of 2022 will always be remembered by 31-year-old Ivanna Korobko as turbulent. Her homeland Ukraine was invaded by Russia and she, her husband and two boys had to quickly flee the country. They came to Sweden in February, were allowed to live with a Swedish family and they immediately started learning Swedish.
It wasn’t that easy at first. Above all, it was difficult to communicate with people without knowing Swedish. We Ukrainians didn’t have that many opportunities either. We couldn’t study at SFI (Swedish for immigrants) but had to find various courses online, says Ivanna, who is a trained nurse in Ukraine.
After a few months, Ivanna got a job at a cleaning company and in the fall she went to a job fair, which was organized by the non-profit organization Hug, as part of the CareConnectWithUkraine project. It is a project that, with support from the European Social Fund, has helped Ukrainians find work in Sweden, including through training, job fairs and contacts.
I was very interested in continuing to work in healthcare, because I love working with people. At the fair, I got in touch with an HR representative from Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg, to whom I submitted my CV. After just a few weeks, I was invited to an interview at Sahlgrenska and then I got the job, says Ivanna.
Today, she has worked for a year as a nursing assistant at Sahlgrenska, with the same duties as a nurse. While she has been working, she has also received intensive training in Swedish at the workplace, which has yielded rapid results in language development.
It feels great! I enjoy my job, have wonderful colleagues and get to do what I find fun. When I started at the hospital, my Swedish wasn't that good, but it still went well because everyone wanted to help me. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work and contribute to the Swedish healthcare system, as there is a great shortage of nurses. My husband has also found a job and the boys are in school, so we are doing well, says Ivanna.
She is now about to take a license as a nurse in Sweden, which requires both theoretical and practical exams. Even though Ivanna knows all the theory and practice, a high level of language skills in Swedish is required. And that language is the most important thing to get a job, Ivanna emphasizes.
Language is the key to work! You have to dare to talk and make mistakes. I have told my colleagues that they are welcome to correct me, so that I can learn. You also have to dare to start working, even if it is with a simpler job like cleaning. Because that is where you also learn to communicate with people, says Ivanna.
She is grateful for the help she has received on the way to work, through the CareConnectWithUkraine project. As a new arrival in Sweden, it is not easy to know how to write a CV and contact employers, something she received support with.
Now I just hope that the war in Ukraine ends as soon as possible. While we are here, we have to fight and work on. I also hope to get my ID. That way I can also thank the country of Sweden and all the people for the help I have received, says Ivanna.
Mariya Melnyk is a project manager at the non-profit organization Hug and has run the project CareConnectWithUkraine. She herself comes from Ukraine and has lived in Gothenburg for almost 13 years. The initiative for the project started at a demonstration at the then Russian consulate, in connection with the invasion of Ukraine.
To deal with the frustration and sadness we felt, we wanted to do something concrete to help our compatriots. It started as a collection of humanitarian aid, but when the first Ukrainians arrived in Sweden, we realized that they quite quickly asked how they could start working. When the initial shock had subsided, they no longer wanted to just sit at home, says Mariya.
And these are the questions that Mariya recognized well after her first time in Sweden, even though she did not come as a refugee but as a student. Although about 70 percent of the Ukrainians who came to Sweden had a university education, not all of them were fluent in English and none of them spoke Swedish.
We knew that Ukrainians could not study at SFI, so we arranged our own courses. Knowing Swedish is important both for work and for feeling safe in society. We also wanted employers to meet these people, in order to be able to invest in them. Since most of them are well-educated, they are easy to learn and in the long term have great potential for an employer, says Mariya
(Ukrainian refugees were given the opportunity to take part in SFI education from 1 June 2023)
The collaboration with Sahlgrenska also shows that the project's approach with an initial simple job, followed by a trial period with pay and intensive language training, has been very successful. Over 20 doctors, nurses and researchers have been employed at Sahlgrenska and 17 of them have received extended contracts. All have raised their levels of Swedish and all also plan to take tests to obtain Swedish medical or nursing licenses.
The most important message is the importance of activating people who come here to Sweden. They need to be given a chance to work and learn the language – and the sooner it happens, the better for both the person and society. And this applies regardless of how long you stay in Sweden, says Mariya.
Now the work with Care Connect With Ukraine continues in a new project, Empower UA. There they will focus on mental health, which is also very important for entering society.
This is a project with a mission to help Ukrainian refugees to enter the labor market in Sweden as soon as possible. The strength in our joint network can help create possibilities and inclusion, at the same time as many organisations can benefit from new competence.
A job is a source of inspiration, confidence and security. It breaks borders and provides financial independence, which is currently very important for Ukrainians fleeing the war. The project’s primary mission is to help Ukrainian refugees to enter the labor market in Sweden as soon as possible and to bring back financial stability for Ukrainian families.
Project #CareConnectWithUkraine is run by Mariya Melnyk at Lindholmen Science Park, in close cooperation with Help Ukraine Gothenburg, International House Gothenburg, and Region Västra Götaland. Together we arrange a series of mini-job fairs to match together job seekers and potential employers. Thus, two successful job fairs have been already conducted in the hospitality and IT/Business spheres, where at least 30 participants have found jobs.
Besides, we also work closely with employers, and societal and governmental organizations to identify needs and gaps that we can address within the project.
I see a value in using the strength we have as a collaboration platform, and how we can contribute to this initiative. Through our extensive network of companies, we can quickly mobilize contacts and connections to those who can and want to get a job. We have in this clear and concrete support from our owners, says the CEO of Lindholmen Science Parks, Tord Hermansson.
The project was run by Lindholmen Science Park in 2022-2023. A close collaboration was developed with social and governmental organizations.
1) ConnectWithUkraine: April - June 2022, was funded by the Västra Götaland Region and Lindholmen Science Park.
2) CareConnectWithUkraine: July 2022 - February 2023, was funded by the Swedish ESF Council with project management and communication by Lindholmen Science Park. Partner: International House Gothenburg.
3) CareConnectWithUkraine 2.0: March 2023 - September 2023, was funded by the Swedish ESF Council with project management and communication by Lindholmen Science Park. Partner: International House Gothenburg.
4) Empower UA: October 2023 - March 2024, financed by the Swedish ESF Council and run by Help Ukraine Gothenburg in collaboration with the Swedish Church and International House Gothenburg.
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The summer of 2023 marked a milestone for Hug. It was the first time we had the opportunity to organize summer camps in Ukraine in collaboration with a tourist camp. What started as a hopeful initiative to provide children with a safe space turned into a movement of hope, community, and healing.
Just seventy kilometers from bombed Lviv, a place of peace and joy was created. Here, in the shadow of war, many children had the chance to feel safe, to laugh, play, and make new friends. Many had witnessed things no child should ever see, but at the camp, they were given a pause – a moment of childhood where joy and play could take over the otherwise heavy realities of daily life.
Thanks to an incredible team of sports educators, psychologists, and volunteers, the camp became more than just a temporary refuge. Through sports, outdoor activities, and creative workshops, the children found their inner strength. They learned to cooperate, overcome obstacles, and rebuild their trust in the future, a future that so often feels uncertain. Succeeding in a climbing challenge, paddling a canoe for the first time, or creating something beautiful in an art workshop became small but significant victories in their recovery.
During the first years of the war, many children fled to Sweden and other European countries, where they were given a chance for safety and stability. But millions of children remain in Ukraine, in areas where the war is never far away. Their need for security and rehabilitation is immense, but resources are limited. This is why it was so crucial to create something on-site, to show that the children are in Ukraine are not forgotten, that there is a future for them, even in the midst of hardship.
Even though the war was only a few miles away, the camp became a place where children could breathe. In this safe environment, they found a space to laugh and play without constant fear.
Making these camps a reality was anything but easy. It required extensive planning, logistics, and resources to create a secure environment where children could receive the help they needed. Without the support of our donors, volunteers, and friends, this would never have been possible. You made this happen. You gave these children the chance to simply be children again.
Throughout the weeks, the camp was filled with activities that allowed the children to explore and express themselves. Sports and outdoor adventures took center stage, with football, climbing, and kayaking playing crucial roles in their rehabilitation. At the same time, the children participated in creative workshops where they could paint, play music, and tell their stories through theater.
But it wasn’t just the activities themselves that made a difference – it was the sense of community. Feeling seen and included, laughing and sharing experiences with others, was something many of the children described as invaluable. The evenings were filled with campfire songs, storytelling, and conversations that allowed the children to relax and feel a sense of togetherness. Simply sitting together, talking, laughing, and knowing they were not alone became a priceless part of the experience.
We saw firsthand the impact these camps had, and we realized that this couldn’t be a one-time effort. The need for rehabilitation, safety, and community among these children is enormous.Today, we are working to develop our program to reach even more children. With the help of Ukrainian and international experts, we are establishing structures to provide children with PTSD and severe trauma the support and treatment they need. We are developing more permanent centers and continuing to collaborate with local organizations to create sustainable solutions.
Our vision is that every child in Ukraine, no matter where they are, should have the opportunity to feel safe, grow, and dream of the future.
Do you want to be part of what we started? Help us continue to create safe spaces for Ukraine’s children.
The summer of 2023 was an unforgettable time for the Ukrainian children who attended the HUG summer camp. In a world filled with uncertainty, loss, and trauma, the camp became more than just a summer activity—it became a sanctuary. A place where children could breathe, laugh, and, for a short while, feel like life was normal again. Here, they weren’t refugees. They weren’t children of war. They were just kids, playing, exploring, and creating memories that would stay with them long after the summer ended.
This year, the camp expanded—not just in numbers but in experiences. Nearly 100 Ukrainian kids who moved to Sweden after full scale invasion, and 20 children who HUG brought to rehabilitation from Ukraine took part, split between two locations: the familiar surroundings of Högsbo and the breathtaking landscapes of the Gothenburg archipelago. With each passing day, bonds grew stronger, laughter echoed louder, and the weight of past experiences seemed just a little lighter.
At the camp in Högsbo, days were filled with movement, creativity, and play. Sports and games helped the children release pent-up energy, while creative workshops allowed them to express themselves in ways words sometimes couldn’t. Painting, music, and storytelling became outlets for emotions too complex to say out loud. Here, in a safe and supportive environment, the children could explore their feelings, process their past, and find joy in the present.
Meanwhile, on the island of Styrsö, the sea became both a playground and a place of reflection. The children swam in the salty water, built sandcastles, and explored the island’s nature trails. Excursions gave them the chance to experience the Swedish summer in all its beauty—many for the first time. Some had never been to the sea before, never felt the waves pull at their feet or the sun warm their skin in quite this way. These small but meaningful experiences helped create a sense of wonder and discovery, offering a break from the worries of everyday life.
But the true magic of the camp was in the connections made—the friendships that formed between children who, despite different backgrounds and stories, understood each other in a way few others could. In the laughter, in the shared moments of excitement, in the quiet conversations before bedtime, they found a sense of belonging that had been missing for far too long.
One of the most unforgettable days at camp was the visit from Clowns Without Borders, an organization dedicated to bringing joy to children in crisis. As the clowns performed their playful routines, the children’s laughter rang through the air—pure, unrestrained, and infectious. Some laughed so hard they cried, while others, hesitant at first, soon found themselves swept up in the fun.
"This is something we will never forget," said one of the camp leaders. "Seeing the children laugh, despite everything they've been through, is the best proof of how important our work is.”
For many of these children, laughter had been rare in recent months. Their lives had been filled with fear, confusion, and constant change. But here, in this moment, they weren’t defined by their past. They were simply kids, living in the now, caught up in the magic of the performance.
We also managed to bring 20 kids from Ukraine. This children saw the occupation and war, were forced to leave their homes, friends and places dear to their hearts. The war has caused the greatest wounds - it is scary and painful and children need therapy with a psychologist, a change of scenery and new positive emotions. The impact of the camp extended far beyond the summer. Each experience, every new friendship, and all the moments of joy became stepping stones toward healing. The camp gave these children something priceless: hope. Hope that life could still be filled with happiness. Hope that even in a new country, far from home, they could find community. Hope that the future, however uncertain, could still be bright.
But the effects of the camp didn’t stop with the children. The parents, volunteers, and the entire Hug community felt the ripples of its impact. Parents saw their children return home each day with smiles on their faces, eager to share the stories of their adventures. Volunteers formed deep bonds with the children, learning their stories, their dreams, and their resilience. And as an organization, HUG once again saw firsthand the profound difference that a few weeks of care, structure, and joy could make.
With each camp, we create an environment where children can feel like children again. But we also create something bigger—a network of support, a foundation of love, and a future built on hope and resilience. These camps are not just a summer event; they are a vital part of helping children rebuild their sense of self and security in a world that has been turned upside down.
With your help, we can continue to provide these life-changing experiences. Your support allows us to offer children a summer filled with safety, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
Join us in making a difference—for the sake of the children and a brighter tomorrow.
A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors who make this possible!
On March 26, we at HUG, together with Poppels City Brewery, organized a special charity dinner in Gothenburg to support families in newly liberated areas of Ukraine. We were honored to welcome renowned Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko, who amazed 120 guests with a secret menu celebrating the rich flavors and traditions of Ukrainian cuisine.
Our mission was simple — to raise funds for food parcels for families affected by the war. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to supply food to 450 people who need it most.
For every ticket bought, five food packages were secured for Ukrainian families — turning your support into real help for those facing hardship.
This remarkable night was made possible through the dedication and passion of so many. We are deeply grateful to Vitaliy Chubukov and Poppels City Brewery for their unwavering commitment and hard work in bringing this event to life.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to our incredible volunteers and every guest who stood with us, shared their support, and showed solidarity with Ukraine during these challenging times.
Your compassion provided hope when it was needed most, and that together, we can make a difference.
Thank you for standing with us and for Ukraine.
