The book Friday Letter, created by East Europe Foundation in partnership with The Ukrainians Media, has received recognition at the 2026 PR Cases Competition organized by Marketing Media Review web site.

The story behind the project began with an internal tradition born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every Friday, the Foundation’s team received a letter from Victor Liakh, President of East Europe Foundation, featuring updates, achievements, photos, and reflections on the week. What started as a way to maintain a sense of connection while working remotely gradually evolved into an important part of the Foundation’s internal communications.

When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the Friday Letter took on an even deeper meaning. For many colleagues, it became a ritual that provided continuity and reassurance, a reminder that even in the most challenging times, it is important to acknowledge achievements, support one another, and make room for good news.

As East Europe Foundation approached its anniversary, the idea emerged to create a book that would tell not only the story of projects, results, and numbers, but first and foremost the story of people. This is how the Friday Letter book came to life.

Together with The Ukrainians Media, the Foundation collected and documented stories of team members, partners, community representatives, and programme participants. Each chapter is introduced by a text inspired by real Friday Letters, adapted to fit the context and narrative of the book.

For the Foundation, this recognition honors not only the publication itself, but also the people who made it possible. It belongs to the East Europe Foundation team, our partners, friends, and the protagonists whose stories became an integral part of the book.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to The Ukrainians Media for their professionalism, attention to detail, and exceptional ability to bring human stories to life.

More than a publication, Friday Letter is a testament to the people behind the Foundation’s work and the positive change they help create every day.