Project Initiators

The International Charitable Fund “Ukraine 3000” is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit, non-political charitable organization founded by Viktor Yushchenko in Kyiv in 2003. First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko is currently Head of the Supervisory Board. One of the Fund’s most important activities is research work in Ukrainian history.

 A long-term charitable program, entitled “History lessons: Holodomor 1932-33” was started in 2003. The main aim of the program is to research and preserve the historical record of one of the biggest Ukrainian tragedies – the man-made famine of 1932-33.

 The Fund supports different projects in conjunction with this program. Their shared goal is to spread accurate and truthful information about the Holodomor in Ukraine and around the world, and also to create a solid base in Ukraine for research into different aspects of the Holodomor. 

 In 2003, the Ukraine 3000 Fund started a candle lighting ceremony in honor of the memory of innocent Holodomor victims. Today, this ceremony is performed both in Kyiv and on a national scale. It takes place on the fourth Saturday of November, also known as Remembrance Day for Holodomor victims.  The central ceremony takes place at Mykhailivska Square near the Monument to the millions of Ukrainian victims of the Great Famine in 1932-1933, and is accompanied by millions who place candles in their windows at home throughout Ukraine. Lighted candles symbolize the mourning and remembrance of every soul who perished without Christian last rites or a memorial flame.

 In honor of the 75^th Anniversary of Holodomor in 2008, the Fund pursued a number of important new projects.

  Among them was an exhibition entitled, “Executed by Death: The Unknown Genocide of Ukraine”. This exhibition consists mainly of historical panels and is oriented for a European audience. Based on archives and testimonies, it informs visitors about the tragic events in Ukraine. The exhibition has been translated into English, German and French. For the first time it was shown recently in the European Parliament (Brussels, Belgium), and later in Geneva, Berlin, London and other European cities.

 The Ukraine 3000 Fund created and supports the first Ukrainian specialized web-site (www.holodomor33.org.ua), which contains testimonies of Great Famine witnesses. It also works together with the information agency “Glavred” to provide a specialized reference website “Ukraine remembers – the world recognizes” with scientific and historical materials (www.glavred.info/holodomor).

 In 2007, the Fund organized the Second National Contest of Holodomor Posters entitled “Candle in the window” and the Second National Competition for Journalists for the best coverage of the Great Famine in the media. The third year of these annual competitions began in 2008.                                                                                             

The Ukraine 3000 Fund has supported the publication of 7 books devoted to Holodomor between 2007-2008. Copies of these books were subsequently donated to scientific and college libraries throughout Ukraine. Several new projects are on the way.

 The “History Lessons” Fund also supports documentary films and television programs devoted to Holodomor. The documentary film “The Living” was also supported and sponsored by The Ukraine 3000 Fund.

 The Fund played an active part in preparing for the 75^th Anniversary of the Holodomor tragedy in Ukraine, and coordinates the activities of several public and governmental organizations.

 Our sacred duty is to honor those who perished. To build monuments, light candles, look after graves… To let the Living know and never forget about the tragedies of our nation.