On July 22, the Uzhhorod office of Voice of Romni had the honour of welcoming guests whose daily work improves the lives of women – our trusted partners in advancing the women’s movement in Ukraine.

President of Voice of Romni, Anzhelika Bielova, met with Nataliya Karbowska, Co-founder and Director of Strategic Development at the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, and Marianna Kolodii, Head of the Secretariat of the 1325-Zakarpattia Coalition, of which Voice of Romni is a member.

The conversation centred around our joint efforts within the 1325-Zakarpattia Coalition and the support the Ukrainian Women’s Fund provides to women-led initiatives across the country. We also discussed the challenges faced by grassroots women’s organizations and how to overcome them.

As Marianna Kolodii explained, the 1325-Zakarpattia Coalition is a community of 32 organizations and institutions united around the principles of peace, security, and equal opportunities. Its name carries symbolic weight for our community, referencing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security – a globally recognized framework that highlights women’s rights, their role in decision-making and conflict resolution, and support for those affected by conflict. This resolution serves as a foundation for women’s organizations worldwide, including in Ukraine. Guided by it, the 1325-Zakarpattia Coalition is implementing a regional action plan where every woman’s voice matters, regardless of her background, and is part of a meaningful dialogue.

The meeting also included discussion of the participation of Roma women’s organizations from various regions in a five-year project by the Ukrainian Women’s Fund and the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine.

“At Voice of Romni, we will actively contribute to this process by using our network to spread information about available funding opportunities from UWF,” said Anzhelika Bielova.

It is a great honour for Voice of Romni to work alongside the Ukrainian Women’s Fund and to be a part of the 1325-Zakarpattia Coalition. We are sincerely grateful to Nataliya Karbowska for her attention to our region and her interest in the voices of Roma women. Voice of Romni and UWF share the same values in developing a feminist movement in Ukraine – one that includes women’s organizations representing vulnerable groups. We also thank Marianna Kolodii for her genuine belief in us, as we are certain that strength lies in mutual support, women’s solidarity, and a shared vision of the future.

When major institutions listen to local organizations and recognize their impact, we know we are on the right path.