Emergency Fund for students from Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a dramatic effect on Ukrainian students at Leiden University. Besides their intense concern about the fate of their family and friends, they also face major financial problems. To help these students, the Leiden University Fund (LUF) has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an Emergency Fund. Grants from the Fund help Ukrainian students pay their living expenses and for their studies in Leiden.

Impact on Ukrainian students
The disastrous war in Ukraine has had a huge impact on Ukrainian students who are studying abroad. ‘I don’t know how to feel normal at the moment,’ says Daniela, a student who is taking the bachelor’s programme in International Relations and Organisations. ‘I know I have to focus on my studies and assignments, but mentally I’m elsewhere. The situation’s not improving in Ukraine and all my family are there. I’ve got friends who are 19 and are suddenly in the army.’

The war abruptly changed people’s lives says Deputy Head of Student Support Services Rozemarijn Wegert. ‘The Ukrainian students are obviously very upset and worried about their family and friends. They can’t go back to their own country now either. And many face financial problems because their parents have fled and can no longer transfer money.’

Financial support is essential
The Emergency Fund has already provided financial support to several students and it’s thought that many more will ask for help in the coming months. For Ukrainian student Oksana, who is in the first year of a psychology degree in Leiden, financial support is essential. ‘I don’t know what I’d have done otherwise. This really isn’t the time to borrow money from Ukrainian friends. Everyone’s in the same boat. And I don’t receive financial support from any other organisations. So I’m really grateful to the donors to the Emergency Fund. I truly appreciate it.’

LUF Director Lilian Visscher: ‘We feel a responsibility towards all the affected students, regardless of their nationality or where they come from. Students at Leiden University can count on our support; we will assess their applications as carefully as possible. Donate and help the students victims of this terrible war.’

Donate now and help students affected by the situation in Ukraine!

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Donors

21-09-2022 | 22:53 J.B.J. Geise Een uitstekend initiatief van de Universiteit Leiden/LUF. Op deze wijze kunnen we bijdragen aan een veilige studie-omgeving voor studenten uit Oekraïne.

19-09-2022 | 20:21 Anonymous Kennis en een onderzoekende geest zijn de sleutel tot een beter bestaan.

08-09-2022 | 16:29 Anonymous The need.

08-09-2022 | 16:00 HANS & PIETER VAN ANDEL & DELDEN education is vital in the process of building peace

31-08-2022 | 22:42 Martin Endemann

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We are all deeply shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We have therefore set up an emergency fund through the Leiden University Fund on the SteunLeiden.nl crowdfunding platform. Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Can I transfer my donation myself?
Yes, you can make a bank transfer to:
Leids Universiteits Fonds at NL20 RABO 0330 1371 58 stating ‘Noodfonds’. Thank you!

Why has the emergency fund been set up?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine also has dramatic consequences for Ukrainian students at Leiden University. Besides their intense concern about the fate of their family and friends, they also face major financial problems. The same is true for Russian students who can no longer access their bank accounts. The emergency fund will provide acute help to students who have problems relating to their finances, studies or residence permit.

Why are you helping Russian students with financial problems as well as Ukrainian students?
Leiden University and the Leiden University Fund want to help all students in Leiden who are in need because of this situation. After all, they are all ‘our’ students. We cannot and do not want to make any distinction based on which country people come from.

We treat all requests from students in financial need with care. For example, we check whether the applicant’s (family) name appears on the EU sanctions list, which now includes 862 people from Russia and Belarus. If we know or discover that a student has family connections with people on this list, we will not honour their request.

How can I apply for assistance from the emergency fund?
If you are studying at Leiden University and come from Ukraine or Russia and are experiencing financial problems, please contact the student counsellor at decanen@sea.leidenuniv.nl.

I would like to get in touch with students from Ukraine/Russia who are studying at Leiden University. Can you help me?
Please contact the Student Support Groups at studentsupport@leidenuniv.nl.

What is the Leiden University Fund?
The Leiden University Fund is the Leiden University fund. Thanks to the support of alumni and other donors researchers are able to work on groundbreaking research in health, safety, sustainability and other societal themes, and talented students and young researchers have the opportunity to realise their ambitions. See www.LUF.nl for more information.

What is SteunLeiden?
SteunLeiden is the Leiden University Fund crowdfunding platform for projects at Leiden University that require additional funding. For example, students in (financial) need. Once the platform and payment fees have been deducted, the sums raised through this crowdfunding platform will be paid in full to the relevant teaching and research projects at Leiden University.

Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, the Leiden University Fund (LUF) is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (ANBI) (also see the Tax and Customs Administration). The type of donation determines whether this is tax deductible. Our tax number (RSIN) is 0028.18.255.

If you are studying in Leiden and have other questions about the war in Ukraine, see this page for more FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions - Leiden University (universiteitleiden.nl)

If you have another question about the emergency fund, taking action or LUF, send an e-mail to info@LUF.leidenuniv.nl.