The #WASHinWAR campaign by Caritas Ukraine, in partnership with Caritas Norway, has been selected as one of the seven laureates of the Caritas Europa Innovation Festival 2026, chosen from over 400 participants across Europe.
The festival will take place in early 2026, bringing together representatives of the Caritas network and international partners from various countries. It serves as a platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and innovative practices that support people and communities in times of crisis. We are proud that a Ukrainian project drawing attention to the impact of war on water resources has been recognized among the year’s most outstanding social innovations.
#WASHinWAR (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in War-Affected Regions) is an advocacy initiative that highlights the devastating consequences of war on Ukraine’s water resources and environment. The campaign combines educational materials for children, volunteer eco-actions, and a photo exhibition that reveals how war fuels both humanitarian and ecological crises.
Caritas Europa Innovation Festival is an annual event celebrating the most inspiring and innovative solutions in the fields of social justice, ecological sustainability, and support for vulnerable groups. In 2026, the festival will gather hundreds of participants from across and beyond Europe to share best practices and inspire change.
The #WASHinWAR team is now preparing to present the campaign to international partners in 2026. We focus on developing fundraising partnerships with businesses in the fields of water and renewable energy — to expand the impact of the initiative and reach even more people in need.
We are open to new partnerships and invite you to collaborate!
Our sincere thanks to photographers Stas Kozliuk, Kostiantyn Liberov, Eugene Vik, Petro Batanov, Viacheslav Ratynskyi, and Roman Pylypii for their powerful photos showing the impact of war on water resources and people’s lives.