Ukrainska Pravda's Critical Infrastructure project highlights impact of regional media in Ukraine

More than 25 businesses have joined Critical Infrastructure, a social initiative launched this spring by Ukrainska Pravda, DTEK (Ukraine's largest private energy company) and the fashion brand Damirli.

The campaign has raised UAH 1.5 million (about US$34,000) to support five media outlets from frontline oblasts.

Anna Matviienko, Director of Dnipro.media, and Editor-in-Chief Nika Yehorova said: "Independent regional editorial teams are critically important today. Working in the regions means operating under constant security risks and with limited resources.

When Ukrainska Pravda, DTEK and Damirli bring businesses and audiences together to support editorial teams, it shows that our work matters for building an active civil society in Ukraine."

The campaign included a specific fundraising mechanism: designer Elvira Gasanova from Damirli created a charity collection of hoodies and T-shirts, with all proceeds going to support Dnipro.media (Dnipro), Kordon.Media (Sumy), Gwara (Kharkiv), MykVisti (Mykolaiv) and MOST (Kherson).

One of the most notable practical outcomes has been enabling editorial teams to focus less on fundraising and more on journalism.

Oleh Dereniuha, head of MykVisti, said: "For us, this support provides basic stability: it means we can spend less time searching for funding and more on our daily work – reporting news and stories that are important for the city and oblast of Mykolaiv.

We are gradually building a sustainable media model where part of the support comes directly from the audience. In this sense, this help contributes to our ability to work more consistently and plan development, rather than just respond to challenges."

The regional media representatives also said the initiative has increased their visibility.

Alona Yatsyna, Executive Director of Kordon.Media, commented: "For Kordon.Media, participation in the Critical Infrastructure project is first and foremost about recognition. We are one of the five regional outlets supported within an initiative backed by national media and businesses.

We work every day in a border region and report to the whole country on key events in Sumy Oblast. The companies, media outlets and everyone who supported us understand the value of our work and the importance of regional journalism. That means a lot to us."

Serhii Prokopenko, Editor-in-Chief of Gwara Media, echoed the sentiment.

"As for how the newsroom felt about this project, of course we said 'Wow!'

You're working in a region, getting on with your job – and then a national campaign like Critical Infrastructure begins.

Let's be honest: working in regional media isn't as sexy as working for national outlets. And when you're always immersed in local issues, this project proves that our work is visible and important."

Part of the funds will be invested in organisational development, while some will cover operational costs – from fuel to safety equipment for journalists working in the field.

Serhii Nikitenko, Editor of MOST, said: "We plan to support our freelancers, especially those working in Kherson. This is our main expense right now, as working in Kherson and the region is extremely dangerous.

Not to mention fuel costs and safety equipment, such as anti-drone devices. The support from Critical Infrastructure will be a huge help to us in our work."

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