The Ukrainian Red Cross presents its experience with Group Cash Transfers at the Global Innovation Summit 2026 in London
On 21–22 October, the Ukrainian Red Cross took part in the Red Cross Red Crescent Global Innovation Summit 2026 in London, organised by the British Red Cross in partnership with Red Social Innovation.
The summit’s theme was “Designing for the Crises of Tomorrow”. It brought together representatives of 19 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, international experts and innovation specialists. Participants discussed new approaches to humanitarian response, the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, volunteer mobilisation, and ways to strengthen community resilience in the face of future crises.
During the summit, Olena Skrypnikova, Head of the Innovative Financing and Cash Transfer Programming Unit at the Ukrainian Red Cross, presented the organisation’s experience in implementing Group Cash Transfers (GCT) as an innovative tool to support communities and strengthen their resilience.
Olena explained how this approach works in Ukraine and internationally. She also presented a Ukrainian Red Cross project implemented with U.S. support, outlined its initial results and highlighted the role of Group Cash Transfers in supporting communities. Through the programme, the organisation has already supported 18 community initiatives.
“Innovation in the humanitarian sector does not necessarily involve complex technological solutions. Sometimes, innovation lies in changing the way assistance is provided. Group Cash Transfers allow us to move from responding to existing needs to helping communities prepare for crises in advance. We provide communities not only with financial resources, but also with the opportunity to set their own priorities, find solutions and strengthen their resilience. Approaches like these can shape the future of humanitarian response,” said Olena Skrypnikova, who represented the Ukrainian Red Cross at the summit.
What makes Group Cash Transfers distinctive is that communities themselves identify their priority needs, develop solutions and receive funding to put them into practice. This approach helps address immediate challenges while also strengthening people’s ability to come together, organise themselves, prepare for emergencies and respond to challenges independently.
Participation in the Global Innovation Summit 2026 provided an important opportunity to share Ukraine’s practical experience with the international community, exchange innovative approaches and contribute to developing new solutions for humanitarian response.
The Ukrainian Red Cross’s experience shows that, even amid a full-scale war, it is possible not only to respond to current challenges but also to develop approaches that help communities become better prepared for future crises.
