The visit of the President of Voice of Romni, Anzhelika Bielova, to Brussels was filled with high-level meetings and substantive discussions with partners.

The main purpose of the trip was participation in an event at the European Parliament titled “Preserving Warmth in Ukraine: Heating, Energy Resilience, and Life-Saving Infrastructure Under Fire”.

The event was co-organized by our partners from CARE together with People in Need and held under the auspices of Member of the European Parliament Markéta Gregorová. The discussion focused on Ukraine’s energy challenges caused by systematic Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. This situation, further aggravated by severe weather conditions, is leading to serious humanitarian consequences and poses a direct threat to the lives of millions of people, particularly those from vulnerable groups.

Anzhelika Bielova spoke on behalf of Roma women in Ukraine — women who are experiencing the war in conditions of poverty, forced displacement, discrimination, and chronic resource shortages. In her address, she emphasized:

“Energy crises do not affect everyone equally. Women and girls, especially those from vulnerable groups, face specific risks and needs that cannot be ignored. Roma communities often live in homes with traditional heating systems, which means they are facing a critical shortage of firewood for heating and cooking. Many people simply cannot afford to purchase firewood due to poverty.”

Survival is the word that best describes life in Ukrainian cities and villages today. Basic needs — access to food and water, safety, and healthcare — remain unmet. This is why Voice of Romni combines humanitarian assistance with long-term support for women, including psychological, professional, and economic support. Sharing the experience of the organization, Anzhelika highlighted the crucial role of small, community-based organizations and the importance of their direct funding:

“Local organizations have a deep understanding of the specific needs of their communities. We are part of these communities — we live with the same challenges and share the same lived experience as the women we support every day. This deep knowledge allows us to design and implement programs that are not only relevant, but also effective in addressing real community needs.”

The event served as a preparatory platform for the Sixth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on humanitarian issues related to Ukraine. The meeting focuses on how investments in energy resilience — from emergency boiler repairs to decentralized renewable energy solutions for hospitals, water supply systems,

For nearly four years, Voice of Romni has been working under conditions of full-scale war, providing support to thousands of people. We know how to deliver aid effectively and efficiently. However, we need the support of larger organizations that shape the global humanitarian agenda. We seek to be heard, to have our experience taken into account, and to see our best practices scaled. Supporting local organizations is an investment in community resilience.

Anzhelika concluded with a clear recommendation:

“My recommendation to donors and public authorities is to involve organizations that support vulnerable groups in dialogue, planning, and decision-making processes. This is essential to ensure that their needs are included and that strategic documents and decisions are truly inclusive. Every time you sit at the decision-making table, ask yourself who is missing from this table”.