Scotland-Ukraine Forum

19/03/2026

At the most recent meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine, we heard from Jess Casot from Ukraine is Europe, speaking on the resettlement of internally displaced Ukrainians, and the organisation’s model for post-war reintegration.

Ukraine is Europe has been organsing humanitarian projects across Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and is now preparing to open a social-medical centre in Dnipro for reintegration. The organisation is also in the process of becoming a registered charity in Scotland.

This centre will provide comprehensive reintegration support, including free assistance with housing, employment and the return to education for children. Additionally, the facilities include a medical centre which will provide free dentistry, a family doctor, a gynaecologist and trauma-specialising psychologists.

The project was developed around the needs of displaced Ukrainians living in Ukraine, as well as those abroad, understanding the support they need most to feel able to return and to reintegrate into Ukrainian society following displacement.

The ultimate goal of the organisation is to establish similar centres across the country as a model for post-war reintegration. The centre in Dnipro is a pilot project for expansion, as well as a response to the needs of the city itself, which is a hub for those fleeing occupation in the East.

As Jess Casot said:
“Whilst making sure those Ukrainians who wish to stay [in Scotland] are given every opportunity to do so, we also need to make sure that there is infrastructure for those who want to return.”

You can find out more about the organisation and the centre through their website: https://ukraine-is-europe.org/

16/03/2026

At the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine ’s meeting on resettlement last month, we heard from Morag Brown, Resettlement Lead for Argyll and Bute Council and Esa Aldegheri, from the University of Glasgow.

In response to the widespread resettlement of Ukrainians across Scotland’s second largest local authority, the Council commissioned research from the University of Glasgow in order to understand the experience of displaced Ukrainians living in the area.

There was widespread positive feedback around the impact of the Resettlement Team in providing support upon arrival, as well as follow-up housing and employability support. Their person-oriented and communicative approach has proved critical to successful resettlement. Schools were also highlighted as vital for integration not just for children, but also for parents.

Challenges were raised around the seasonal-nature of work, making it difficult to plan long-term and engage consistently in integration efforts such as classes. Additionally, many of those interviewed raised concerns around transport, citing that it could be extremely difficult to travel without a car.

Upon the release of the report, Argyll & Bute Council teamed up with local bus companies to provide free bus passes. The Council also provides hybrid ESOL classes to make integration more accessible for those with work and childcare commitments.

Argyll & Bute now has a thriving Ukrainian community, including its own Ukrainian Community organisation, and the work of the Council’s Resettlement Team continues to be vital for the integration and positive outcomes of Ukrainians in the community.

02/03/2026

At last week's Cross Party meeting, we heard from Diletta Lauro from the British Red Cross.

She spoke on the report the organisation composed three years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine caused mass displacement and brought the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to the UK.

The report was commissioned not only to identify the changing needs of Ukrainians in the UK, but to identify some of the problems faced by the diaspora under the UK Resettlement Scheme in order to adapt future framework for refugees arriving in the UK from across the world.

There was positive feedback around the value of hosts, for building social connection and independence, and of schools for integration.

However, whilst 75% of those surveyed were in employment, many have found the inability to transfer Ukrainian job qualification to be a significant barrier to securing skilled work.

Additionally, uncertainty under the current visa scheme was also creating barriers to employment and to securing long-term housing.

Recommendations from the British Red Cross report included the fast-track recognition of qualifications in key industries, and continued trauma informed support for language and employability.

You can find out more through reading the report on their website: https://www.redcross.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/research-publications

Reports, publications and evaluations about the British Red Cross' work in the UK and overseas on health, social care, first aid and refugee support.

23/02/2026

The Cross-Party Group on Ukraine is pleased to introduce Maryna Zvarych/Марина Зварич, a Scotland-based community practitioner whose work brings together integration, culture, and everyday lived experience.

Originally from Ukraine, Maryna contributes to the work of the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine by offering a practical, community-led perspective on integration. For her, integration is not an abstract policy goal, but a daily process shaped by culture, confidence, and meaningful participation in society.

Maryna’s work combines practical insight with cultural engagement. She focuses on how people actually experience integration in their day-to-day lives, and how trust is built through participation, visibility, and shared spaces rather than policy alone.

Alongside her community work, Maryna is the founder of , a culinary and social project that uses food as a bridge between Scotland and Ukraine. Through shared meals, events, and informal learning, MARFA introduces Ukrainians in Scotland to Scottish food culture and social traditions, while inviting Scottish audiences to experience Ukrainian cuisine beyond headlines and stereotypes.

By linking policy discussions with everyday life, her work shows how cultural initiatives can support integration, build trust, and strengthen long-term relationships between communities. In this sense, food becomes more than hospitality; it becomes a shared language that allows people to meet on equal terms and build connections that extend beyond borders.

19/02/2026

Meet Anna Makhlay, a longstanding member of the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine , whose work helps strengthen Scotland–Ukraine cooperation.

Working with the John Smith Trust (JST), Anna has coordinated a series of Scotland–Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction programmes focused on leadership, governance, and economic resilience.

In 2024, the Ukraine Women Leadership Programme brought together 20 outstanding Ukrainian professionals in Edinburgh, strengthening leadership capacity, sharing international best practice, and building professional networks to support Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

In 2025, the Ukraine Recovery & Reconstruction Programme convened experts in digitalisation, innovation, and private-sector development.

Engagements with key institutions – including the Digital Directorate, the Cyber and Fraud Centre - Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, the University of Strathclyde, and the Scottish Prevention Hub led to concrete follow-up actions and new cross-sector collaborations.

In 2026, the Green Recovery Programme focused on Ukraine’s hydrogen sector.

Ukrainian professionals visited Scotland to explore how sustainable energy investment, innovation, and resilient infrastructure can drive regional growth and self-reliance. The programme combined site visits across Orkney and Aberdeen, the University of St Andrews and Heriot-Watt University, with meetings involving The Scottish Government, Members of The Scottish Parliament, local authorities, and private-sector leaders.

As a Programme Manager at JST, Anna leads the design and delivery of leadership programmes for emerging professionals from Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, contributing to the development of good governance, social justice, and sustainability building collaborative connections with UK counterparts.

16/02/2026

In November, the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine heard from Dr Giles Sutherland, who shared his experience of working and teaching within Ukrainian academic and cultural institutions.

His work places particular emphasis on the importance of culture in times of war. Through seminars, lectures and conference contributions, he has explored the parallels between Scottish and Ukrainian cultural experiences, highlighting shared histories of linguistic resilience.

Dr Sutherland describes his approach as “cultural humanitarianism”. He self-funds his visits to Ukraine, where he works to strengthen academic and cultural ties between Ukraine and Scotland.

Looking ahead, he has expressed his ambition to establish a Centre of Scottish Studies in Ukraine, further deepening collaboration between two nations that share a profound understanding of the role of language and culture in times of crisis.

12/02/2026

The Cross-Party Group on Ukraine is pleased to welcome Yuliia Ismail to its membership.

Yuliia is an SRA-registered foreign lawyer and Ukrainian advocate, as well as an accredited Level 2 UK immigration adviser specialising in Ukraine visa and protection routes. She leads the Ukraine advice service at Settled, where she has provided free, expert immigration support to hundreds of Ukrainians navigating complex immigration, family reunion, and extension issues across the UK since March 2022.

Her work combines front-line legal casework with policy advocacy. Yuliia has been widely recognised for her role in securing policy changes that now allow Ukrainian parents to sponsor their children to join them in the UK, addressing critical gaps that previously left families separated and in prolonged uncertainty.

She also contributes regularly to media and sector discussions, highlighting the need for secure, long-term status and settlement pathways for Ukrainians living in the UK, to support stability, integration, and protection.

Yuliia brings deep legal expertise, personal commitment, and lived insight to the Group, and looks forward to contributing to cross-party efforts that uphold protection, stability, and dignity for Ukrainians in Scotland and across the UK.

10/02/2026

At our November meeting, we heard from Joyce Landry, founder and CEO of Mission of Innocents. 🌟

Joyce spoke about the organisation’s work since 2022, responding to the arrival of thousands of displaced Ukrainians in Scotland. Mission of Innocents helped facilitate the use of cruise ships as emergency accommodation in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

At their peak, these ships housed around 3,000 Ukrainians, including 800 children, many with little or no English. In response, the organisation built a dedicated team and created safe, creative spaces where children could express fear, grief, and frustration beyond the limits of language.

Since 2022, more than 150 children have taken part in seven artistic ensembles, including choirs and dance groups. Their recent production, Life in One Suitcase, was presented at Refugee Festival Scotland and the Edinburgh Fringe, and the children also performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 🎼

This work has been vital in helping young people process displacement while maintaining meaningful cultural connections to Ukraine.

Find out more about their work here:
https://www.missionofinnocents.org/

09/02/2026

04/02/2026

Join us for a variety of activities celebrating Languages Week Scotland at Edinburgh Libraries feat Arabic, Cantonese, Pashto and Ukrainian!

02/02/2026

In November, the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine heard from Olga Budnyk, Advising Commissioner to the President of Ukraine for the support of Education, Science and Sports.

On the subject of academic collaboration, Olga spoke on the various initiatives that have been expanding the cooperation between UK-based and Ukrainian universities and institutions.

🤝Twinning Initiative

- Since 2022, 105 partnerships have been formed between Ukrainian universities and similar institutions abroad.

- 50,000 students and staff engaged in support and cooperation programs.

- Includes 10 dual-degree programs in UK universities.

🧑‍🏫Programme to attract foreign lecturers to teach in Ukraine

- Aiming to integrate Ukrainian institutions into the international community.

- Developing new areas of research with a focus on national recovery

🌍Global Coalition of Ukrainian studies/ Глобальна коаліція українських студій

- Sharing knowledge about Ukraine and unifying active initiatives popularising Ukrainian culture.

- Establishing partnerships with new universities.

- In its first year, it gained 31 members (6 from the UK) from 13 countries.

- Over 130 foreign Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and 130 Ukrainian HEIs have expressed their desire to join the coalition.

You can find out more about the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies through their website: https://www.gcus.org/

BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER TO STUDY UKRAINEHow to join? The Global Coalition of Ukrainian studies aims to ▸ Unify all active initiatives aimed at fostering and sharing academically grounded knowledge about Ukraine ▸Create an effective platform for the coordination and development of these initi...