As Ukrainians face another winter in wartime conditions, Ukraine solidarity activists from Europe and beyond are organising an International Solidarity Convoy to take humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The convoy departs from several points in Europe, including Edinburgh, Barcelona, Lecce and Milan, around 21 November. Peter Cooper reports on how the convoy was built in Scotland.
The USC Scotland backed the convoy in August this year. We have raised funds to supply a minibus to TUESWU, the FPU-affiliated Education and Science Workers’ union. This will be used to help build a summer camp outside Kyiv, and then to ferry children to and from it to the local station. Supporting children to continue with their education and to get some enjoyment in wartime is all part of the resistance to the Russian invasion.
The minibus project allows us to participate in the convoy. The building of the summer camp is being part-financed by the National Education Union (England and Wales) (NEU). We are using the surplus raised to carry power banks with us, and educational materials supplied by the NEU Ukraine Network (NEUUN).
Broad political support for convoy in Scotland
Early on in the project UCU Scotland won sponsorship from Labour, SNP, and Scottish Green MPs and MSPs, as well as that of the Scottish Green Party.
We launched a Crowdfunder appeal in August setting ourselves a target of £9,000. So far we have raised £10,500! The largest donors have been our trade union allies in UNISON, but significant donations have come from Unite Scotland as well as Unite, GMB, CWU, ASLEF, RMT branches, and TUCs from across Scotland. The Republican Socialist Platform and many individuals have also given generously.
Our minibus will join the International Solidarity Convoy. We hope that on our return, we can report back to trade union and other meetings to raise awareness and to strengthen solidarity work. We will be leaving Edinburgh with a send-off event at 10am Saturday 21st November at the Ukrainian Consulate with Andrii Madzianovskyi, the Consul, MSPs Colin Beattie, SNP, Katherine Sangster, Labour, Kate Nevens, Scottish Green Party, and TracyAnne, Miller, Secretary Unison Health Branch. We will meet up with other convoy participants and local supporters in Hull, Rotterdam, Brussels and then on to Berlin, Warsaw and Ukraine.
Motion supporting convoy submitted to Scottish Parliament
Colin Beattie is moving a motion supporting the convoy in the Scottish Parliament with all-Party (but one, Reform UK) support, including that of Tory and Lib Dem leaders Russell Findlay, and Alex Cole Hamilton respectively. The motion was inspired by a similar motion carried in the Catalan Parliament.
International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine
Submitted by: Colin Beattie, Midlothian North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 19 October 2026
Motion type: Standard Motion
Motion reference: S7M-01659
That the Parliament:
welcomes the international solidarity convoy to Ukraine, including the delegation departing from Scotland in November 2026; understands that the convoy will travel through a number of European cities before arriving in Ukraine on 25 November, where participants plan to take part in solidarity events in Lviv on 26 November and Kyiv on 27 and 28 November;
notes that the initiative aims to demonstrate continued international solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they face another winter of war following Russia’s illegal invasion;
further notes that the mission is expected to provide practical assistance, including generating equipment, medical supplies and transport, with support intended particularly for communities in frontline areas affected by attacks and disruption to heating and electricity;
recognises what it sees as the extraordinary resilience of the Ukrainian people in defending their sovereignty, democracy and right to determine their own future;
believes that continued humanitarian and international solidarity remains vitally important; welcomes the involvement of people and organisations from Scotland in the convoy, and
wishes all those participating in the mission a safe journey and every success in their efforts to support the people of Ukraine.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Heather Anderson, David Barratt, Dawn Black, Gary Bouse, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Katy Clark, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Bob Doris, Iris Duane, Tim Eagle, Patricia Gibson, Clare Haughey, Monica Lennon, Stuart McMillan, Carol Mochan, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance