The First Lady of Ukraine, together with the team of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, met with Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg.
The First Lady expressed her gratitude for Luxembourg’s comprehensive support of Ukraine since the very first days of the full-scale Russian invasion – including political, military, energy-related, and humanitarian assistance.
During the meeting, the First Lady presented one of the Foundation’s new strategic focus areas – a project aimed at providing psychosocial support for teenagers and youth.
“Children and young people are especially vulnerable to stress, as this is the period when their psychological resilience is still being formed. Research conducted by UNICEF shows that older teenagers and youth experience the highest levels of stress – but at the same time, they also have the greatest potential for recovery. We aim to create an environment that helps them go through this stage with support, not alone,” the First Lady emphasized.
Xavier Bettel announced Luxembourg’s decision to allocate €1 million to the project.
“It is brutal that the most vulnerable part of society – children – are often those who suffer the most from the consequences of Russia’s brutal war. Demining a piece of land is difficult, but demining the minds of traumatized children can be an even more complex and prolonged task – one that takes years, if not a lifetime of support and healing. That’s why I am honoured that Luxembourg will support the Olena Zelenska Foundation and its vital work in providing psychological help to young victims of the war,” he said.
The Olena Zelenska Foundation team expressed gratitude for this significant contribution to the future of young Ukrainians.
“Supporting teenagers and youth is an investment in their recovery and development – starting today. This new project of the Foundation will focus on ensuring they feel care and support,” said Nina Horbachova, Director of the Olena Zelenska Foundation.