Sebastopol World Friends Chyhyryn, Ukraine Sister City Dormitory Renovation Project has been recognized for outstanding commitment to global friendship, cultural exchange and international collaboration with the prestigious Sister Cities International 2026 Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award for a Population of Less than 25,000.
The dormitory renovation project started in mid-2024 in cooperation with citizens in Chyhyryn, Ukraine, Sebastopol’s sister city. The project is critically important to the Chyhyryn community as it will provide much needed housing for hundreds of Internally Displaced People from war-torn areas of Ukraine who have had to leave their homes because of the war. Progress in the project has created multiple new partnerships within the community of Chyhyryn and with organizations and individuals in nearby towns. Similarly, Sebastopol World Friends has built, and strengthened local relationships that have facilitated the project. Some of those organizations in the U.S. have built relationships with their Ukrainian counterparts that will facilitate future cooperation.
Since 1962, Sister Cities International’s (SCI) Annual Awards have recognized excellence in overall programming and celebrated innovation in areas such as arts and culture, humanitarian assistance, business and trade, youth and education. SCI also honors a Youth Leader and Volunteer of the Year for their outstanding efforts to promote peace through citizen diplomacy. This year’s awards were presented in person during SCI’s Annual Business Meeting and 70 th Anniversary Celebration in Washington, D.C. The event brought together Sister Cities members, global guests and community leaders to celebrate the 2026 winners, strengthen international partnerships and explore the future of citizen diplomacy.
