European Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora "Augsburg 2026"
Without a free Ukraine, there is no free Europe. Based on this principle, the umbrella organization of Ukrainian organizations in Germany (DUOD/ОУОН) is jointly organizing the European Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora "Augsburg 2026" with the European Congress of Ukrainians (EKU) on October 30 and 31, 2026 – as the national umbrella organization for Germany within the European EKU structure. The forum brings together representatives of Ukrainian communities from Europe.
The location is deliberately chosen: Augsburg was one of the largest centers of Ukrainian life in the American occupation zone after 1945 – in the camps for Displaced Persons (stateless foreigners), primarily in the Somme barracks, up to 6,000 Ukrainians lived there at times. Ukrainian schools, church communities, a press of their own, and self-administration structures were established. The forum consciously connects to this history – and to the still active Ukrainian community of the city.
The provisional program (times in CET)
Friday, October 30, 2026
from 09:00 – Registration of participants
11:15–11:30 – Brief opening greeting of the guests
11:30–13:00 – Panel: "Ukraine in Europe. The contribution of Ukrainian civil society and diaspora to European security and cooperation"
13:00–14:30 – Lunch break
14:30–16:00 – Panel: "Hybrid war, its consequences and the role of Ukraine in it"
16:00–16:30 – Coffee break
16:30–17:30 – Official opening of the EFUD
17:30–18:10 – Presentation of EKU and DUOD (ОУОН)
18:15–18:30 – Presentation of the Ukrainian Free University (UFU)
followed by evening program
Saturday, October 31, 2026
09:00–11:00 – Annual meeting of EKU (for EKU members)
10:00–11:00 – Registration of forum participants
11:00–12:00 – Expert session: "Ukraine on the front line: Challenges for security and resilience"
12:00–13:30 – Thematic panel 1: "Values and the preservation of Ukrainian identity – Guarantee for the future of the Ukrainian community"
13:30–14:30 – Lunch break
14:30–16:00 – Topic Panel 2: "Historical Diaspora, New Communities, and the Change of Organized Ukrainian Life in Europe"
16:00–17:00 – Topic Panel 3: "The Digital Generation, Continuity, and the Future of Ukrainian Organizations in Europe"
17:00–17:30 – Coffee Break
17:30–18:30 – Topic Panel 4: "Strengthening the Voice of Ukrainian Communities in Europe – Through Coordination, Advocacy, and Representation"
18:30–18:45 – Summary and Conclusion
If these topics resonate with you – if you believe that the future of Ukraine is also a European question, and that the diaspora needs a voice in this – then Augsburg is the right place for you.
Register here