Convoy representative David Acosta meets with Ukrainian organisations

By Marco Antonio De Angelis
(Kyiv, August 24, 2026)

In August International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine spokesperson David Acosta Guillerm held meetings with various local organizations in Ukraine in order to introduce the project, strengthen existing connections and establish new ones ahead of the Convoy planned for November.

The meetings were part of the preparation of the Convoy’s humanitarian activities under the “Surviving the Winter” project. As part of the broader Convoy initiative, “Surviving the Winter” focuses on supporting vulnerable civilian populations that risk being particularly affected by the coming winter.

The meetings with NGOs and other groups operating on the ground were intended to introduce ourselves directly and establish new connections and international grassroots networks based on cooperation, solidarity and respect for human rights.

They also represented an opportunity to better understand the needs of local communities, identify potential beneficiaries and develop the partnerships necessary for the successful implementation of the Convoy.

The organizations involved were:

• Help2ukraine (H2U)
• Solidarity Collectives (Socol)
• Sotsialnyi Rukh (Social Movement)
• Freefilmers
• Convictus Ukraine

HELP2UKRAINE (H2U)

David was in contact with Iryna from HELP2UKRAINE. During the exchange of information, there appeared to be significant interest from both sides. Iryna informed us that the entire H2U group would be available to assist with the implementation of the project, helping us with logistical aspects of the journey thanks to their network of contacts among local organizations, administrations, villages and social services.

Furthermore, given their well-established presence in the area, H2U provided us with a list of potential recipients of humanitarian aid, increasingly aligning with the objectives of the “Surviving the Winter” activities.

They will be available to assist with the organization of the journey from Barcelona to Kyiv, helping us with the documentation required to transport goods across the border and working in coordination with the Barcelona team, who will in turn receive assistance from the Ukrainian Consulate in Catalonia.

The assistance proposed by H2U does not end there. As David reported, there are also concrete possibilities for accommodation for volunteers in Ukraine during their stay.

SOLIDARITY COLLECTIVES (SOCOL)

During the discussions with Anton and Snizhana from SOLIDARITY COLLECTIVES, in addition to updating us on new areas where aid can be delivered, such as Pavlohrad and Kryvyi Rih, they made themselves available to provide communication and promotional support, which we genuinely need.

They also put us in contact with the people from Freefilmers, whom we will discuss further below.

SOTSIALNYI RUKH (SOCIAL MOVEMENT)

The meeting with representatives of SOTSIALNYI RUKH, including Gromov and Vitaliy Dudin, was extremely useful in establishing lines of contact with other organizations operating in the area.

They also offered assistance through promotional activities and the creation of posters and website texts in support of the Convoy and its humanitarian activities. This will allow us to expand our support network and become more recognizable and well-known, further strengthening our credibility and transparency.

Their support represents an important element in terms of the political recognition that our organization is gradually gaining, step by step, thanks to the enormous work carried out by our volunteers and organizers in support of the Ukrainian people and through our constant pursuit of peace via international cooperation.

FREEFILMERS

On August 13, contact was established with the Freefilmers group, represented by Sachko. Both David and the group agree that support should not be sought solely within the military sphere, but that it is particularly important to establish significant connections with active social networks that respect and promote progressive and pacifist ideas, while also countering Russian propaganda surrounding initiatives of this kind.

Freefilmers are also connected with and have contacts in around a dozen villages close to the front line, with the exception of those in the Donetsk area, that are in need of humanitarian assistance. This opens up new delivery areas and increases the number of priorities for the Convoy.

On the communication side, Freefilmers also offered their contribution by proposing the possibility of organizing screenings of their films, which are already subtitled in many languages, in order to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine and increase the possibility of generating support and funds for humanitarian efforts.

We were also informed about a European tour of their films in various cities, during which they would provide space before the screenings to speak about the Convoy. They also offered to help us develop a possible documentary about it.

Furthermore, they informed us that they would assist the organization in finding qualified volunteers to join our ranks, using their media reach to help the organization grow and remain consistent with the plan that both organizations have established: long-term cooperation.

CONVICTUS UKRAINE

Another important meeting took place with representatives of Convictus Ukraine. David Acosta met with Evgeniya Kuvshynova, Executive Director of Convictus Ukraine, and Iuliia Tsarevska, Project Manager, to present the Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine and explore possible areas of cooperation.

Convictus Ukraine is a Ukrainian charitable organization operating since 2006 and working in the fields of public health, social protection and humanitarian response. Active across 15 regions of Ukraine and the city of Kyiv, the organization provides medical, social, humanitarian and psychosocial support to vulnerable populations, reaching more than 50,000 people annually.

During the meeting, two possible roles for Convictus within the Solidarity Convoy were identified. The organization could participate as an international project partner, contributing through institutional connections, communications, advocacy and joint activities, or as a potential beneficiary or facilitator of beneficiaries, helping to identify concrete humanitarian needs and vulnerable communities that could benefit from the Convoy’s assistance.

A particularly important point of discussion concerned Convictus’ future work with the Romani population in Ukraine. A possible connection was identified with Freefilmers’ documentary A Home for Rita, which is expected to be screened as part of the Convoy’s awareness-raising activities. This could create a link between the screenings, advocacy surrounding the situation of Romani communities and Convictus’ future work with this population.

The meeting also opened the possibility of further cooperation beyond the upcoming Convoy. Convictus representatives are expected to visit Barcelona in October, creating an opportunity for meetings and possible public activities with Convoy partners and other organizations.

Both sides also discussed possible long-term cooperation, including the potential development or support of a rehabilitation centre in Ukraine. Convictus will review the relevant documentation and consider formally joining the initiative, while the Convoy coordination will provide the organization with the beneficiary guidelines, needs-assessment documents and other relevant information.

In conclusion, we hope that all the groups and individuals mentioned above remain safe from the possible difficulties and dangers that a situation such as theirs may entail. We will commit all our efforts to ensuring that these meetings become the foundation of an important path towards cooperation and solidarity, for the safety and support of the Ukrainian people today and, more broadly, of all oppressed peoples.