The Russian invasion of Ukraine has also had dramatic consequences for Ukrainian students at Leiden University. Besides their intense concern about the fate of family and friends, they also face major financial problems. This also applies to Russian students who can no longer access their bank accounts. Support all these students through the LUF’s Emergency Fund.
The disastrous war in Ukraine has had a huge impact on Ukrainian and Russian students who are studying abroad. With the war, their lives changed overnight says Deputy Head of Student Support Services Rozemarijn Wegert. ‘The Ukrainian students are really upset and worried about their family and friends. They can’t go back to their own country now either. And they are facing financial problems because many of their parents are fleeing and can no longer transfer money.’
Solidarity from the academic community
Putin’s war also has major consequences for the Russian students here, says Wegert. ‘Tensions are rising in their homeland and they are facing financial problems since Russia was disconnected from Swift.’ This means they can no longer access their Russian bank accounts and their family can no longer transfer money to them. To help all these students, the Leiden University Fund (LUF) has launched a crowdfunding campaign for an Emergency Fund that will contribute to emergency financial assistance, study progress and residence status. LUF Director Lilian Visscher is hoping for a big response from the academic community: ‘We feel a responsibility towards all affected students, regardless of their origin or nationality. Students from Ukraine and Russia who are studying at Leiden University can count on our support. Donate and help these students who are also victims of this terrible war.’
Do you want to support students who are directly affected by the situation in Ukraine? Donate now!
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.