$10 Million Canadian-Funded Project Launched to Strengthen Ukraine’s National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide
Ottawa, August 22, 2025 — A $10 million project funded by the Government of Canada has been launched to strengthen the institutional, research, and public engagement capacity of Ukraine’s National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide. The project is part of Canada’s ongoing efforts to support Ukraine’s recovery and to help preserve its historical memory and cultural identity in the face of continued challenges to its sovereignty.
Holodomor means “to kill by starvation”. “Canada is a staunch supporter of international human rights – a key pillar of our foreign policy,” said Natalka Cmoc, Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine. “We believe that the Museum is significant to commemorate this catastrophic event and to keep raising attention to the use of famine to control and kill a population.”
Titled Support for Exhibits at the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kyiv (PSOPs), the project is being implemented by Cowater International, with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF).
This initiative will strengthen the Museum’s ability to preserve and promote the memory of the Holodomor genocide while increasing public understanding—both in Ukraine and globally—of its historical and gendered impacts. It will complement the Museum’s ongoing efforts to establish itself as Ukraine’s leading museum, meeting international standards of curation, governance, and public engagement.
“Canada is working with Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kyiv, to build an internationally renowned museum that will continue to raise awareness and education of this important issue,” Cmoc said. “A needed forum for connecting international researchers, educators, and museum curators, to increase access to globally available information, programming, educational tools and exhibits for the public.”
The project aligns with recent reforms that strengthen the Museum’s national mandate and call for the establishment of an Expert Council and Supervisory Board. The Council will play a central role in guiding research, education, exhibition programs, and the Museum’s integration into international scholarly networks. The Board will act as a permanent oversight body, bringing together state, society, and cultural representatives to ensure decisions are legal, independent, transparent, and inclusive.
Key areas of focus include:
- Advance research on genocide mechanisms, perpetrators, and women’s experiences.
- Strengthen partnerships with academic institutions.
- Design primary exhibits and virtual platforms to expand access.
- Support inclusive public dialogue, civic education, and truth-telling.
By reinforcing the Museum’s governance structure and deepening its public engagement, the project contributes to Ukraine’s efforts to safeguard cultural identity, combat disinformation, and promote social inclusion through historical memory.
About Cowater International
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Canberra, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Montreal, Nairobi, Singapore, and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities to implement projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements, and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. For more information, job postings and RFPs, visit www.cowater.com or www.linkedin.com/showcase/cowater-ukraine/
About the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF)
Founded in 1995 during the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established to coordinate, develop, and deliver humanitarian assistance from Canadians to Ukraine.
CUF continues to play a vital role as a national charitable foundation, working to monitor, promote, and support humanitarian aid initiatives. Its mission includes evaluating projects, fostering collaboration among aid providers, setting strategic priorities, and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact. CUF also serves as a forum for individuals and organizations—across community, private, and public sectors—committed to supporting Ukraine.
In addition to its work abroad, CUF also supports related initiatives within Canada. To learn more: cufoundation.ca
Media Contact:
John Karalis
Project Director
