HIA signs Declaration of intent with US Department of State, to support youth in Ukraine
Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) reaffirms its commitment to supporting peace, resilience, and youth development in Ukraine through an expanded public diplomacy partnership with the United States Department of State.
The cooperation outlined in a Declaration of Intent was signed by Sarah B. Rogers Under Secretary of State and Kristóf Gáncs, Executive Director of HIA, in Washington DC, on 13 January, 2026. The Declaration builds on high-level discussions held during a recent visit by HIA’s delegation to the US Department of State. The talks underscored the shared importance of investing in Ukrainian youth as a foundation for long-term recovery and strengthened U.S.-Ukraine relations.
As a first project of the cooperation HIA implements a programme, called Bridges of Resilience: Empowering Ukrainian Youth Through Cultural Exchange and Leadership Training, that aims to strengthen relations between the United States and Ukraine by involving Ukrainian youth living in who are internally displaced or in difficult circumstances (aged 12–24) in programs that promote American culture, values, and history, while promoting social inclusion and leadership skills development.
Through this partnership, Hungarian Interchurch Aid continues its mission to foster dialogue, education, and resilience in communities affected by conflict, contributing to peace and prosperity in Ukraine through international cooperation and public diplomacy.
During the meetings in Washington DC with US stakeholders, HIA’s delegation – Vitalia Manailo, HIA’s Country Director, Klára Keveházi director of Advocacy and International Partnerships, and Tamás Gáti, member of board in HIA for Education Foundation, had the opportunity to explore new ways and fields for further possible cooperations, building on the mutual commitment reaffirmed in the Declaration of Intent.
