Support the future of Ukraine – Friends of KSE

20 December, 2023

Friends of KSE, a Swedish non-profit organization, and the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) sincerely thanks each and every one of you for the donations that have helped Ukraine through education. Your support has been instrumental in assisting Ukrainian academics, faculty, staff, and students at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE).

Since its foundation, the Swedish non-profit 'Friends of KSE' has raised more than 620,000 EUR to support students and academics at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE). This support is provided through fundraising efforts, financial contributions to KSE and relevant academics, as well as the provision of intellectual and humanitarian support to researchers, students, and the KSE department, both within and beyond Ukraine's borders.

Funding daily operations

Financial donations to Friends of KSE have provided a lifeline of funding for KSE, enabling the maintenance of salaries for faculty and staff and the continuation of both in-person and online classes during wartime.

Providing scholarships

The Friends of KSE funding has helped KSE students who had to leave Ukraine but chose to continue their studies during wartime and went to our partner university - Stockholm School of Economics in Riga. The funding has covered the stay in the dormitory for full-time Ukrainian students and the costs of psychological support for all Ukrainians at SSE Riga.

Financing bomb shelters and critical supplies

Despite the ongoing war, KSE students remained committed to their studies and were supported by Friends of KSE funding, which provided essential resources, including certified bomb shelters. Additionally, the funding allowed for the delivery of two vans filled with generators, power banks, sleeping bags, and Primus AB equipment, ensuring the continuity of educational processes during air raids and power shortages.

Support for KSE makes a difference

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing war in Ukraine, KSE maintained its operations, including teaching, admission of new students, and research activities. While other Ukrainian universities experienced admission rate drops of up to 50%, KSE managed to limit its decline to just 10%, welcoming 170 new students during wartime. The leadership, faculty, researchers, and students of KSE actively participated in 120 international events discussing Ukraine and Russian aggression across various forums. Additionally, they contributed to discussions organized by leading universities worldwide.

"Together, we have succeeded in supporting the Kyiv School of Economics to uphold its world-class education, providing students with hope and developmental opportunities through education, and enabling KSE academics to remain in Ukraine, averting brain drain. The cost to us is marginal, yet the impact is significant—a crucial assistance to our friends and heroes in Ukraine.”

- Torbjörn Becker, Director of SITE and co-founding member of Friends of KSE initiative

Every donation matters

We, at Friends of KSE, extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your support in advancing education in Ukraine. Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference. Special gratitude goes to Tetra Laval for their generous contribution of €500,000 to Friends of KSE.

If you wish to join our efforts in assisting students and academics in Ukraine and contributing to the future of the country, please visit Friends of KSE to make a donation. The funds raised will play a crucial role in helping KSE maintain educational excellence during wartime and enable students to receive a world-class education in Kyiv, Ukraine.