NUJU calls for preservation of Journalists’ Solidarity Centers network

The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) calls for the preservation and provision of sustainable funding for the network of Journalists’ Solidarity Centers (JSC), which have been providing comprehensive assistance to Ukrainian journalists and media in wartime since 2022. This was stated by the NUJU First Secretary, Lina Kushch, during a meeting of the NUJU board.

According to her, the network of JSCs has proven its effectiveness as a critical infrastructure for maintaining the continuous operation of the media, the resilience of communities, and countering disinformation in the conditions of a full-scale war. At the same time, since March 2025, the centers have not had sustainable funding and are forced to function exclusively through donations and short-term projects.

“This network needs truly sustainable funding; it needs perspective and confidence that in a month, in two months, and in six months, we will be able to provide assistance to journalists,” Lina Kushch emphasized.

During its activity, the JSC network has processed about 8,000 requests from journalists and editorial offices. Often it is about repeated assistance, and the range of requests covers various areas – from emergency material and legal support to psychological assistance and security services.

Currently, the network of six centers provides more than ten types of assistance, including rental of protective equipment, security training, emergency material support in cases of damage to housing or editorial offices, psychological and legal assistance, as well as access to coworking spaces, especially in frontline regions.

Concluding her speech, Lina Kushch reported that the NUJU board prepared a statement calling for:

• confirm the strategic priority of supporting and developing the Journalist Solidarity Centers as permanent safe hubs for journalists;
• addressing international institutions and donor organizations with a proposal to develop a long-term program of support for the network, in particular in frontline regions;
• calling on government authorities to consider supporting such centers as a component of national resilience and protection of freedom of speech in times of war.

The NUJU emphasizes that preserving the network of JSCs is critically important so that Ukrainian and foreign journalists can continue to work safely, and the public’s right to access information remains protected even during shelling and blackouts.

Yuliya Turovets

NUJU Information Service