About

The Swiss Network with Ukraine is an association of academics and professionals in Switzerland who support the just reconstruction of Ukraine.

Vision

Through the deployment of our network and expertise, we are committed to supporting organisations and public entities engaged in sustainable and inclusive projects for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The needs of vulnerable people, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and veterans, are at the core of our activities. We work to strengthen civil society and quality of life in Ukraine during the war and post-war reconstruction.

Mission
The purpose of the Network is to support reconstruction in Ukraine in a broad sense, ranging from war-damaged and destroyed buildings, neighbourhoods, social and technical infrastructure, to natural and agricultural habitats. We integrate short-term relief with long-term development strategies in order to allow incremental re-development. The Network actively pursues creating real impact in Ukraine.

Activities
The Network’s activities revolve around three pillars: expert-based project consulting and implementation; research and education; and the cultural activities of displaced communities. We take part in emergency actions and reconstruction projects, and engage in research and education related to these purposes. The Network offers fundraising and coordination support, as well as a platform to initiate new projects.

Based on a collaborative approach, our Network provides an open forum for both informal and formal, specialised exchanges between different actors directly or indirectly involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine. We promote open cooperation between our members, clusters and other initiatives, both Ukrainian and international.

The Network’s activities are organised into eleven thematic clusters:

I. IBA (Internationale Bauaustellung) in Ukraine. An initiative to implement benchmark architecture and urban planning projects in Ukrainian cities. Currently, the City of Lviv is the first to start an IBA project.

II. Spatial Planning. Supports Ukrainian cities with spatial planning and process support.

III. Housing. Providing high quality and low-cost modular housing for emergency and (semi-)permanent use.

IV. Circular (Re)Construction. Providing building materials and equipment to refurbish damaged and abandoned buildings.

V. Capacity Building. Supporting Ukrainians at home and abroad by providing educational courses as well as sharing and exchanging expertise.

VI. Mapping and Data. Developing and utilizing a digital platform providing geo-referenced data related to the war in Ukraine.

VII. Agriculture. Conducting research on the impact of war on agriculture and food security, and developing models for repair and resiliency.

VIII. Energy and Infrastructure. Conducting research on the impact of war on Ukrainian energy and infrastructure networks and developing solutions.

IX. Community and Culture. Organising Ukrainian cultural events in Switzerland.

X. Science and Education.

XI. Medical Support.

The Network is politically independent, does not pursue commercial purposes, and is non-profit.

For comprehensive details about the Network, please refer to the booklet available here ↗.

Click on the photo to access SNU booklet 2025 .

Photo by Olena Melnyk

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