The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) have announced a new initiative designed to coordinate volunteer communications activity for the people of Ukraine.
The Ukraine Communications Support Network (UCSN) is Co-Chaired by Ukrainian communications leader Nataliya Popovych and former ICCO President and PRCA Chair, David Gallagher.
The USCN invites communications professionals around the world to submit proposals and projects under 12 categories for communications projects supporting Ukraine and those affected by the war.
The Network’s Steering Committee – comprised of prominent Ukrainian and international communications leaders – will oversee an approval process for voluntary activities designed to accelerate and amplify support for the people of Ukraine.
The Network will work closely with a growing volunteer base of more than 200 communications professionals and agencies to ensure practical support reaches those in need quickly and efficiently.
The 12 categories are:
1. Secretariat Support for UCSN
2. Slova / Ukrainian MOFA Support
3. International Media and Journalist Support
4. Promote Independent Journalism In Ukraine
5. Promote International Refugee Support
6. Promote Domestic Refugee Support
7. Legal Aid Support
8. Public Awareness
9. Business Continuity Support
10. Digital, Web and Developer Support
11. Social Media and Content Production Support
12. Credible Information / Counter Misinformation/Disinformation
All voluntary activities must be delivered on a pro-bono basis. Organisations and individuals approved by the Steering Committee will be eligible to refer to themselves as ‘Members of the PRCA / ICCO Ukraine Communications Support Network’ on collateral and related content.
UCSN Co-Chair Nataliya Popovych commented:
“It is rewarding to see that the appeal to public relations professionals with high moral compass has generated so many supporters willing to commit their time and resources to helping Ukraine win. Be it in increasing the cost of war for Russia or helping ease the unnecessary suffering of the Ukrainians via humanitarian solutions, Ukraine now has many briefs for the pro bono agency partners globally, and we will not forget those who have been our friends in need.”
Fellow UCSN Co-Chair David Gallagher said:
“There’s no shortage of demand for thoughtful, professional communications support for the causes and issues associated with this devastating war, and the generous response from the international PR community is inspiring. We hope this effort will make it easier for professionals and agencies to focus their efforts in meaningful ways.”
UCSN Steering Committee Members
- Elena Bakum-Ramola, Publicis Groupe Ukraine
- Alexandra Bell, Golin
- Rod Cartwright, Rod Cartwright Consulting
- David Gallagher, DG Advisory
- Iva Grigorova, MSL Bulgaria
- Heather Kernahan, Hotwire
- Nitin Mantri, Avian WE
- Alex Myers, Manifest
- Nataliya Popovych , One Philosophy
- Olena Sukhanova, MSL Ukraine
- Grzegorz Szczepanski, Hill + Knowlton Strategies
