Augsburg 2026: Ukrainian Communities of Europe Unite Around a Single Voice

On October 30-31, 2026, the European Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora "Augsburg 2026" took place in Augsburg (Germany), bringing together over 200 representatives of Ukrainian organizations from 20 European countries. More than 400 viewers also joined the forum online.

The event was organized by the Union of Ukrainian Organizations in Germany (OUON) and the European Congress of Ukrainians (EKU).

The main idea of the forum: Ukraine defends Europe every day and buys time for it, so this time should be used to strengthen Europe together with Ukraine, not instead of it. In a video address to the participants, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for scaling up the "Warmth for Ukraine" initiative and acting with one voice of the global Ukrainian community.

Discussions also showed that the voice of communities becomes influential when it is based on trust, competence, and strategy, and youth should be an equal partner, not just a target audience. There was a separate discussion about partnership instead of just aid – in technology, education, and defense – and about preserving identity through language, schools, and organized community life.

The military panel was led by Commander Stepan Barna from the "Barni" unit, Artem Revchuk from the special operations center "Omega," and Serhiy Kuzan from the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation.

The forum's program covered seven thematic panels:

• "Ukraine in Europe: the contribution of Ukrainian civil society and the diaspora to European security and cooperation";

• "Ukraine on the front line: challenges for security and resilience";

• "Preserving Ukrainian identity and values – a guarantee of the future for both Ukraine and communities abroad";

• "Ukrainian women without borders: voice, influence, action";

• "Historical diaspora, new communities, and the transformation of organized Ukrainian life in Europe";

• "Strengthening the voice of Ukrainian communities in Europe through coordination, advocacy, and representation";

• "Digital Generation, Continuity, and the Future of Ukrainian Organizations in Europe".

During the forum, the leaders of organizations presented the activities of the European Congress of Ukrainians, the Union of Ukrainian Organizations in Germany, and the Ukrainian Free University. There were also presentations on the project of the International Center for Migration Policy Development "CORE UA – Comprehensive Support for Strengthening the Resilience of Displaced Persons from Ukraine" and the GIZ project "YOUA – Shaping New Paths, Building the Future of Ukraine"; representatives from the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine contributed their expertise.

As part of the forum on October 31, the annual general meeting of the ECU took place. Participants heard a report on the organization's activities and determined priorities and a work plan for 2027. As a result of the membership expansion, the ECU now unites 38 organizations from 28 countries in Europe.