In June, a public meeting entitled "Rebuilding Ukraine: Civil Society as a Driving Force" was held in Bern, Switzerland, bringing together active members of Swiss and Ukrainian civil societies, media representatives, and anyone interested in Ukraine during this difficult time for the country.

In an improvised presidium open to discussion and deliberation, representatives of the Swiss organization "Salvation Army Switzerland", the Charitable Organization "Charity Fund "Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya", the NGO "Transcarpathian Association of Local Development", the European Civic Forum (Forum Civique Européen), and the European Cooperative "Longo Maї", communicated with those present. Ukrainian human rights activist, head of the organization "Center for Civil Liberties", and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviychuk sent a video message to those present.

The questions that interested the guests of the event concerned the experience of domestic non-governmental organizations working with international aid, including Swiss partners, the vision of the role of Swiss civil society in the reconstruction of Ukraine, etc.

"The Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya has extensive experience working with international aid, which includes financing socially relevant projects, providing material and technical assistance, consulting, implementing long-term and short-term solutions, conducting crowdfunding campaigns, etc. Such assistance allows for additional funding to be raised to address the consequences of the war, primarily in terms of helping the affected civilian population and rebuilding infrastructure. Swiss civil society has more experience in cooperating and interacting with state structures than Ukrainian civil society, and this experience is valuable for dissemination in Ukraine, particularly with regard to institutional support for democracy and civic participation, the humanitarian and social components of non-governmental organizations’ activities, the participation of Swiss institutions in projects on sustainable construction, clean energy and environmental monitoring, and the development of rural communities. Equally important is lobbying for support for Ukraine in the Swiss parliament and among business circles, countering pro-russian disinformation and propaganda...", said Nataliya Kabatsiy, director of CAMZ, in the context of the discussion.

She also added that Switzerland’s civil society contribution is not only financial aid, but above all an exchange of values, strengthening human capital, and building solidarity networks that can support Ukraine in the long term.

It was nice to see long-standing partners of the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya in the hall – members of the Association "Parasolka" and the Association "Network Switzerland – Transcarpathia/Ukraine" (NeSTU). These are public institutions that have long been helping the Committee to implement social projects in Ukraine, which are particularly relevant in the context of war, when the daily needs of the affected civilian population require a rapid response. Andreas Schwab, mayor of the Swiss city of Bremgarten, also joined the discussion. In April, the Committee began a constructive dialogue with him about future cooperation.

Given the circumstances of hybrid warfare with its information attacks, the prevalence of enemy propaganda, and the spread of fake news, public discussions of the current situation in Ukraine are a tool that helps the international community, especially global civil society, to obtain honest and timely answers, unite concerned communities, and promote the values of freedom and justice. Representatives of the Medical Aid Committee in Zakarpattya have repeatedly participated in such open discussions – before the meeting in Bern, there was a conversation about the situation in Ukraine in Olten, Switzerland, and the exchange of views will continue in December 2025.