Recipients of 2026 Government Award for Voluntary Efforts in Support of Ukraine

“Sweden’s support to Ukraine is stronger than ever. It builds not only on government initiatives but also on the fantastic engagement of Swedish civil society and private individuals. With these distinctions, the Government wants to highlight important voluntary efforts. I would like to thank and honour all the nominees who have shown courage and tenacity in making a real difference for Ukraine and its people. Among the many worthy candidates, the awards go to two very deserving recipients for their impressive efforts under very difficult conditions,” says Mr Dousa.

Elly Reinolds is the recipient of the award in the individual category. She is a specialist doctor, researcher and co-founder of OperationAid. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Reinolds has conducted more than 35 field trips to Ukraine, and has played a crucial role in the organisation’s operations and development. During the initial phase of the war, OperationAid helped thousands of Ukrainian women and children seek refuge in Sweden, and delivered extensive emergency humanitarian support. Under Ms Reinolds’s leadership, the organisation has built up operations in Ukraine for war-affected children, medical care and civil preparedness. Ms Reinolds also runs initiatives to improve women’s safety, with a particular focus on women in areas near the frontline. She intends to use the funds from the award to further those initiatives and strengthen women’s security and agency in the midst of the war.

“Elly Reinholds epitomises remarkable personal courage, leadership and humanitarian engagement for the people of Ukraine’s. Her initiatives are characterised by energy, compassion and the ability to contribute to concrete and lasting change,” says Mr Dousa.

OperationChange Sweden is the recipient the award in the category of organisation for its extensive humanitarian efforts in support of particularly vulnerable people and communities in Ukraine. This support reaches internally displaced people, families, children, the elderly, people with disabilities and civilians close to the frontline who cannot evacuate or have no access to other support. During a single month in 2026, OperationChange participated in the transport and distribution of more than 100 tonnes of supplies that volunteers on the ground distributed to final destinations in Ukraine. In parallel, OperationChange works long-term with selected Ukrainian actors such as civilian health care facilities and orphanages. The organisation engages about 160 volunteers in Sweden and Ukraine. OperationChange intends to use the funds from the award to help address the needs of Ukraine’s civilian health and medical care through continued support to orphanages, halfway homes for young adults and similar activities.

“OperationChange has built up impressive logistics chains from Sweden to areas near the frontline in Ukraine, where the needs are greatest. With strong engagement and effective cooperation, the organisation has also demonstrated its capability to mobilise both individuals and resources,” says Mr Dousa.