Europe launches Generators of Hope program for Ukraine

The European Parliament and the Eurocities network, which includes more than 200 European cities, launched the Generators of Hope campaign to send electricity generators and transformers to Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, this was announced on Wednesday by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, during a joint press conference with the President of Eurocities, Dario Nardella, and the Chairman of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak.

What is the problem?

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on November 18 that almost half of Ukraine's energy system was disabled after the russian missile attacks.

What is the solution?

"Today, we are jointly initiating the Generators of Hope campaign. It is being launched at a difficult time when about 10 million people in Ukraine are without electricity due to russian attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure," Metsola said.

How does it work?

According to Metzola, the European Parliament and the EU, in general, have shown extraordinary solidarity with Ukraine in the humanitarian, military, and financial dimensions, but now "we need to find the necessary resources and provide Ukraine with everything it needs to get through this winter as best as possible."

The President of the European Parliament reported that previously, within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, thousands of tons of cargo had already been transferred to Ukraine, including about 500 generators. However, as Metsola herself emphasized, "Ukrainians need thousands."

As part of the Generators of Hope campaign, European cities will be able to join in supporting Ukrainians and help them survive a brutal winter in conditions of a lack of electricity due to russian shelling. Eurocities will be given lists of specific needs for generators and other equipment for Ukrainian cities. After they express interest, the appropriate equipment will be promptly delivered to Ukraine through the logistical capabilities of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition, as Metzola reported, the opportunities for MEPs to connect to the Generators of Hope campaign will also be used in other networks and cities.

President of Eurocities, and Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, said that even before the initiative's launch, several cities participating in the network expressed their desire to transfer generators and other energy equipment to Ukrainians. "Within a few days, it will be possible to supply a large number of generators that will help ensure, at least, basic electricity supply in Ukrainian cities, both large and small," he said.

According to Nardella, there is currently no figure on how many generators will be sent to Ukraine as part of the campaign, as it is just being launched. However, he expressed confidence that each member city of the Eurocities network, which includes more than 200 cities, "will send more than one generator," and therefore, we are talking about "hundreds of generators, including industrial ones." In addition, Nardella said that the mayors of other European cities that are not members of Eurocities would join the Generators of Hope campaign for Ukraine.