Pozņaks also won the 2022 European of the Year in Latvia award. He was nominated for the EP prize by MEP Inese Vaidere.
“Reinis' personality, determination, and leadership have not only allowed an incredible amount of Ukrainian support to be sent, but also attracted countless other benefactors. At this time, when support for Ukraine is so essential in the fight for freedom and democracy, not only there, but across Europe, such mobilization of aid must be particularly appreciated,” she said.
The Twitterconvoy created by Pozņaks began work shortly after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The aim of the project was to bring together those Latvian residents who want to help Ukraine both by volunteering and by donating their own cars and means of purchasing cars that are shipped weekly to Ukraine.
More than 1,100 different vehicles have already been transported to Ukraine during the project, worth around €2 million.
A similar amount has also been gathered by Pozņaks in donations, but the work on the project is still ongoing, said the Member.
Pozņaks said: “I'm a little surprised. It is the public's success, I was just lucky to be their hands, to implement the public's desire to support Ukraine. If we don't solve the problem of the aggressive neighbor now, we'll have to do it for our children, and I never want to experience it.”
The LAMPA festival has also received the honorable award. “It is a great success that two projects from Latvia have gained European approval this year,” Vaidere added.
Awarded every year by the European Parliament, the European Citizen’s Prize rewards projects run by citizens and organizations in the European Union, demonstrating European cooperation, mutual understanding, the promotion of European common values and fundamental rights.
