Now we're calling companies to participate - is your company ready to take the wheel? See contact details below!
When the family-owned Soya Group was invited to join the Caravan to Ukraine aid convoy, the decision was carefully deliberated – grounded in values, due diligence and a wish to help in a hands-on way.
“This program matches our social engagement priorities,” says Marion Ros, Vice President, Group HR. “Instead of just wiring money and hoping for the best, the concrete, direct delivery to Ukraine really appealed to us.” Marion herself volunteered to ride with the first convoy.
Soya Group was founded in 1934 by young entrepreneur Olof Wallenius and his wife, Signe, and has its roots in a modest office cabin in Hammarbyhamnen in Stockholm. The business grew into a pioneering force in Swedish shipping. From the outset, the business was characterised by a spirit of innovation, long-term thinking and sustainability, and has now expanded into a family-owned group of companies covering shipping, real estate, breeding, agricultural activities, and water purification.
Careful preparations
Before committing, Soya Group carefully reviewed Caravan to Ukraine’s operating model and partners. With ownership’s green light, the company purchased two transit vans per a request from local partner in Ukraine, Initiative E+, which coordinates needs directly with frontline units. The in-house security team reviewed the route, partners and protocols, and volunteers received a situational briefing and practical instructions for different scenarios.
“It feels incredibly meaningful to contribute so concretely and to see how the support is received.”
-Marion Ros
The road to Lviv
Marion and a colleague drove one van; other Caravan volunteers drove the second. At the border they encountered other volunteer convoys. Marion noted that, at that time, she was the only woman in the convoy – while the Ukrainian partner team at Initiative E+ is almost entirely women, as men are serving at the front. The drive in Ukraine left strong impressions: rows of graves, memorials in city squares, and the calm normalcy of a vibrant Lviv going about its day.
In Lviv, the hotel cellar doubled as a bomb shelter, a quiet reminder of context. That evening, the teams met for a hand-over dinner. A short speech – translated on a phone into Ukrainian – brought tears and long hugs. “It feels incredibly meaningful to contribute so concretely and to see how the support is received,” Marion says. “You return grateful and humble. It changes how you see things.”
The work continues
Since that first trip, Soya Group has committed to ongoing support for future Caravans. “Employee engagement is strong. The shared experience strengthens purpose and pride across the organisation,” Marion says. “We value the transparency and trust of the operating model: needs are confirmed with Initiative E+; materials are purchased and driven to Lviv; hand-over is direct, and progress is documented from purchase to delivery. I’m encouraging other companies to get involved.”
Will your company take the wheel?
Now, a special Caravan to Ukraine campaign is on, rallying businesses. This is your company’s chance to make a concrete impact. Ukraine’s defenders are waiting - and so is the opportunity to show what responsible business leadership truly looks like.
You can participate in a very concrete way - even drive the Caravan to Ukraine with us and hand the equipment and supplies over to our trusted local partners at E+ personally, if you want. Donate a lump sum, engage your staff in events/campaigns, or create a fundraiser, we will help you along the way - also with communications, if you so wish. All donations will be turned into vital equipment, personally delivered direct to Ukraine with zero admin cost - and only equipment Ukraine is asking for.
Get in touch with Per if you're in Sweden or with Jan or Markus if you're based in Finland. We're happy to hear from you – come join the Caravan!
Contact us in Sweden:
Per Ottosson:
per.ottosson@nosy.se
tel. +46 708 526600
Contact us in Finland:
.jpg)
Jan Willamo:
jan.willamo@gmail.com
tel. +358 40 769 8205
Markus Mustelin:
markus.mustelin@outlook.com
tel. +358 40 517 5037
##
Caravan to Ukraine in brief
What does real, hands-on help look like?
For Caravan to Ukraine, it means turning over €2.4 million in donations so far into life-saving aid:
- 4WD transport vehicles (pickups, vans)
- Ambulances
- ATVs
- Hospital beds & first aid equipment
- Backup power units, and more, only supplies Ukraine is directly asking for
OUR PROMISE
We account for every cent you donate.
We have zero administrative costs.
We deliver the help ourselves.