In August 2022, SA2U was thrilled to receive a grant from the Hamburg-based Ingeborg Gross Foundation (IGF) for CHF 150,000 for projects supporting Ukrainian people, in particular students, children, and orphans. This transformative grant enabled SA2U to expand beyond emergency humanitarian aid into programs that address the deeper needs of displaced Ukrainians – integration, education, and creating safe spaces for children who have lost everything.
| Aid Partner: | Ingeborg Gross Foundation (institutional grant) |
| Funds: | CHF 150,000 |
| Region: | Switzerland, Germany, and Ukraine |
| Aid provided: | Sports integration programs, student scholarships, and safe havens for orphaned children |
| Beneficiaries: | Ukrainian judoka, university students, orphaned children, and teenagers |
The grant funded three types of projects that addressed needs beyond immediate survival – needs such as socialization, relationships, and belonging, all of which are key to the successful integration of Ukrainians in foreign countries.
1. Integration and solidarity through sports
Sports and athletic activities are an excellent booster for integration, encouraging solidarity among teammates and creating feelings of belonging and dedication to a common purpose. In September 2022, SA2U supported the project #noborders Judo Zurich by the Judo Club Uster in Zurich with CHF 96,000 for their initiative to integrate and train Ukrainian judoka living in and around the area.
2. Swiss Aid Scholarship for students
The “Swiss Aid Scholarship” was established with part of the funds granted by the Foundation to provide financial support to Ukrainian students in Switzerland and Germany. High school students and students attending institutions of higher education are at a crucial stage of their personal and professional development. By providing financial support, SA2U sought to ensure that the young adults’ basic needs were met, enabling them to focus on their studies and learning a new language. SA2U supported 10 students who enrolled in higher education institutions in Switzerland or Germany after February 24, 2022, with a maximum grant per person of CHF 1,600. The funds were used by students to purchase laptops, required course materials, writing supplies, and other basic necessities.
3. Creating a safe haven for children orphaned by war
One of the most tragic aspects of the war in Ukraine is the struggle of children who have lost one or both parents in the conflict. Such children and families require special resources, including increased financial assistance, psychological help, and assistance with social integration. Further funds granted by the Ingeborg Gross Foundation were used in 2022 to support the following projects: October 2022 – Era Band Camp, a camp in the Swiss Alps for Ukrainian teenagers, including children from near the front lines and orphans. December 2022 – Era Band Home, a home for Ukrainian children who wanted to settle in Switzerland after attending Era Band Camp. December 2022 – Warm clothes for winter 2022/23 for orphan children in Germany through Ukraine Alive.
Find out more:
The Ingeborg Gross Foundation is a Hamburg-based charitable foundation that supports projects in education, social welfare, and humanitarian aid. Their generous grant to SA2U enabled a broad range of programs addressing the integration, education, and wellbeing of Ukrainians displaced by the war.
