Team 4 Ukraine

Team4Ukraine (T4U) was created by experts who have been working on various projects in Ukraine since 2014. T4U is primarily focused on support and development of civil society in Ukraine, professionalization of the non-governmental sector, exchange of information and experience between the Czech Republic and Ukraine in the areas of security and public administration, support to the security forces of Ukraine aimed at achieving compatibility with the operational standards of EU and NATO forces, direct humanitarian support to civilians affected by the war and, last but not least, material and other assistance to specific units of the defenders of Ukraine.

 

Current 5 Pillars of Activity:

• Specific and direct humanitarian aid to civilians
• Specific and direct aid to the defenders of Ukraine
• Monitoring and analysis
• Knowledge and experience exchange between the Czech Republic and Ukraine in defense and security
• Cybersecurity and information warfare

Since the founding of the association, T4U members and partners have carried out numerous monitoring missions, research trips, and convoys delivering humanitarian aid and specialized equipment for the defenders of Ukraine. They have also organized a series of practical and theoretical seminars on security sector reform, cyber and information security, tactical training, and hybrid warfare methods and threats, sharing expertise from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries. An integral part of our work is defense and security cooperation, fostering an exchange of experience that benefits both the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

As part of the monitoring missions conducted by T4U members since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, teams have actively collected evidence to aid investigations into war crimes. T4U members dedicated to monitoring activities are specially trained observers and criminologists with experience in international observation missions (OSCE), coordinating their field operations directly with both Ukrainian and Czech law enforcement authorities.

Following the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Team4Ukraine immediately dispatched its first convoys carrying humanitarian supplies and equipment for defenders. Humanitarian efforts focus primarily on healthcare, logistics, the safety of war-affected civilians, and the distribution of non-food items (NFI). The organization has transported hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid into Ukraine and operates practically non-stop.

One of our core projects is outfitting and converting Humvee vehicles into field ambulances for medical evacuation. All costs associated with vehicle procurement, preparation, purchasing medical equipment, and transport to the front lines are funded entirely through public fundraisers and private donations. We also supply standard civilian ambulances to Ukraine, which save lives on a daily basis.

T4U has established multi-tiered partnerships with NGOs, police forces, universities, and local governments across virtually all of Ukraine, placing special emphasis on the east (Kharkiv Oblast) and southeast (Kherson Oblast). We are positioned to respond promptly to the needs of our local partners. With an extensive nationwide network of contacts, we can draft expert assessments, prepare transformation projects, and carry out strategic analyses. By mutual agreement with local partners, we organize targeted training sessions, seminars, and initiatives tailored to local realities, ensuring effective and direct assistance. Unlike many large international humanitarian organizations constrained by internal regulations and security protocols regarding geographic access and recipient selection, we can implement our cost-effective projects directly in high-risk areas—such as the Joint Forces Operation zone (formerly the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone)—delivering aid not only to civilians, but directly to defenders and frontline volunteers. We maintain continuous, low-profile operations under almost any circumstances.

We anticipate that the security situation in the region (and potentially across Europe) could deteriorate significantly, and we actively prepare for contingency scenarios. We stay fully informed by continuously monitoring ground realities, assessing emerging risks, and conducting practical training exercises. Grants and financial contributions enable us to scale our operational reach and continually elevate the quality of our organization and the assistance we deliver.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our supporters—not only for their long-term dedication, but also for the financial contributions without which our operations and relief efforts in Ukraine would be virtually impossible. Every drop forms an ocean of aid that, we can say with a clear conscience, has saved countless lives.

Word from the Chairman:

Ing. Jan Heřmánek

Volunteer organization, let alone its co-management, was a completely unknown thing for me, yet since February 2022 I have been working within Team 4 Ukraine (T4U). On the very 2nd day of the invasion, I went with several colleagues to the invaded Ukraine with aid, both for civilians and with equipment for Ukrainian soldiers to defend their homeland. From this initial action for me, it became a regular activity and from a small team of a few people, T4U has grown to a number of around twenty volunteers who spend most of their free time, holidays and energy helping the invaded Ukraine. Due to T4U's long term presence in Ukraine (since 2014), we have built a network of contacts with military units, local governments and other organizations in Ukraine. These links have been very helpful in targeting our aid, with several aid deliveries to large convoys to conflict areas in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the invasion, we have taken pride in taking material aid to where it is really needed, even if it is frontline or heavily shelled areas. In addition to material aid, since the beginning of the war we have been mapping Russia's war crimes against Ukraine with monitoring teams, helping with first aid education for troops or other volunteer organizations, and also drawing on the experience of the Ukrainian armed forces for analysis and possible use in the defense of our homeland. We have visited the war-torn country many times in 2022 and according to feedback from our Ukrainian friends, our assistance has saved at least dozens, more likely hundreds of lives. We could not have done any of this if it were not for the overwhelming solidarity of the Czech nation and the support of all those who help us to help. 

Thank you!