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

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

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

"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 together businesses and audiences to support editorial teams, it shows that our work matters for building an active civil society in Ukraine," said Anna Matviienko, Director of Dnipro.media, and Nika Yehorova, its Editor-in-Chief.

The campaign included a specific fundraising mechanism: designer Elvira Gasanova (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 allowing editorial teams to focus less on fundraising and more on journalism.

"For us, this support provides basic stability: it allows us to spend less time searching for funding and more on our daily work – news and stories important for Mykolaiv and the oblast.

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," said Oleh Dereniuha, head of MykVisti.

Representatives of regional media also said the initiative increased their visibility.

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

We work daily in a border region and report to the whole country on key events in Sumy Oblast. Companies, media and everyone who supported us understand the value of our work and the importance of regional journalism. That means a lot to us," said Alona Yatsyna, Executive Director of Kordon.Media.

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

"If we talk about how the newsroom felt about this project, of course we said 'wow'.

You're working in a region, doing your job – and then a national campaign like Critical Infrastructure unfolds.

Let's be honest: working in regional media is less 'sexy' [prestigious – ed.] than at national outlets. And when you're 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.

"We plan to support our freelancers, especially those working in Kherson. This is currently our main expense, as working in Kherson and the region is extremely dangerous.

Not to mention fuel costs and safety equipment, such as anti-drone devices. Support from Critical Infrastructure will greatly help our work," said Serhii Nikitenko, editor of MOST.

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