Kyiv, November 10, 2023. Ukrainian organizations Energy Act for Ukraine and PR Army were honored with prestigious awards at the 2023 International Future of Emerging Europe Award, recognizing their contributions to green energy and media freedom. The awards ceremony took place as part of the annual Future of Emerging Summit held in Brussels on November 7-8.
The Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation triumphed in the Green Energy Initiative category for its “Dedication to providing schools with green energy in regions affected by war.” Concurrently, PR Army‘s efforts in the “Media freedom and responsible coverage” category received the highest score from the jury.
Yuliana Onishchuk, founder of Energy Act for Ukraine, expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment, emphasizing the foundation’s mission to ensure that despite blackouts and the horrors of war, children in Ukraine can continue their education and enjoy a happy childhood. Established in March 2022 at the onset of the full-scale invasion, the foundation strives to provide renewable green energy to schools in war-affected regions.
Julia Petryk, the co-founder of PR Army, highlighted the critical need for unwavering support for Ukraine amid prolonged and massive armed Russia’s aggression. She emphasized the team’s ongoing fight against Kremlin propaganda in the media space, amplifying the voices of verified Ukrainian experts and individuals who have witnessed events in Ukraine.
The ceremony also acknowledged the work of other Ukrainian organizations, including Sigma Software, Sunshine Cafe, Creating Export Academy in Ukraine, Ukrainian writer Lyubov Yakymchuk, head of the NGO “Young Female Leaders” Anna Popsui, and entrepreneur Aliona Andruk.
In the “Architects of the Future” category, Ukrainian visionary Natalia Mykolska emerged victorious, while Minister of Digital Transformation Mikhaylo Fedorov received the “Public Figure of the Year 2023” award. The “Democracy and Rule of Law” category recognized the Ukrainian organization Media Initiative for Human Rights for its determination to investigate and report on war crimes and assist in holding military criminals accountable.
Note
The Future of Emerging Summit, an annual event uniting like-minded individuals and influential organizations shaping Eastern Europe, focused on knowledge exchange, concrete actions, and acknowledging achievements this year. With the motto “Pushing the Region Forward,” the two-day event facilitated discussions among industry experts, thought leaders, and visionaries on pressing challenges and opportunities.
The Energy Act For Ukraine Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in April 2022, prioritizes supplying energy equipment with a focus on renewable energy and constructing solar stations. Their activities aim to support educational institutions, healthcare facilities, medical workers, and communities affected by hostilities in Ukraine.
PR Army, an independent non-profit organization of Ukrainian communication experts, collaborates with global media to connect Ukrainian witnesses, officials, and experts with international journalists. Launched shortly after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, PR Army’s mission is to help Ukraine win the information war against Russia and build the image of Ukraine as a democratic and independent European country. The core of PR Army consists of volunteer communicators.
