March 3, 2022

 Dear Soroptimists, 

As our hearts are with the women and girls suffering from the circumstances in Ukraine, we can still be purposeful action takers. Now it is time to do projects and let’s support each other. 

Medicines, hygiene kits, books, iPad/tablets, power banks, clothes, blankets are just a few things needed now and in the near future. An essential part is money though – Soroptimist of Europe has the Disaster Relief Fund where we fundraise. It is easy to donate via our website and we encourage you all to support. 

What if… every member in Europe could donate 3 €? 30 000 x 3 € could make a huge difference for women and girls and we can add this money to the projects added to the SIE Project Matching related to the current circumstances in Europe. 

We have just sent 10 000 € to the Soroptimist Club of Zilina (Slovakia)! 

Another thing is how we can support each other’s project and we have the tool SIE Project Matching

  • a platform to offer support and get support in projects: https://soroptimist-projects.org/explore- projects/. For the time being there are projects called “war zone initiatives”, which you can support! Do you want to add your own project? Please get familiar with the application form – at the moment, we do not need any narrative 

To know more about the Project Matching, you can also refer to set of material below: 

  • Project Matching – Tutorial
  • Project Matching – Guidelines
  • Project Matching – Application form

This set of material is available on the SIE Member Area: Downloads > Programme & Advocacy > Programme – Project Matching 

  • What initiatives have you done locally so far? What will you do in the near future?

o  (Charity walks/runs, outdoor quizzes, bazaars, contact with local stores to get financial

funding…)

  • Are you in contact with embassies? Have you sent the SIE statement to your authorities and other NGOs? (via the Advocacy Coordinators?)
  • Are you setting up a list among your members for future accommodations? *
  • If you have projects in nearby countries, please remember to use the Project Matching Tool. 

Please specify one (1) contact person where we can send out information about updates on initiatives. It doesn’t need to be you as Programme Director or a Board Member.

Let´s show how united we are as we stand up for women in war zones! 

Thank you very much. Best wishes,

Your SIE Programme Team