Although we continue to be horrified and angered by the aggression of Putin's Russia, as the months go by we have unfortunately become used to news about events in Ukraine. The enthusiasm for donations and aid in society has diminished since the spring, despite the fact that support is more important than ever. How can we change this?
"While I was thinking about ways to activate donations and generate interest in them again, I came up with a very simple idea. These days, it is standard practice for people to subscribe to various streaming services to enjoy TV series and films for the price of a couple of coffees a month. What if we could subscribe to the freedom and future of our continent, which right now is actually being resolved out there on the battlefield? After several months of voluntary work with a great and selfless team, including the digital agency Cube and other creative professionals, we have created Stopify - a service that will allow you to stream a small monthly donation to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, helping them to end this insane war faster," explains the idea's author and creative director Māris Upenieks.
The platform operates on a monthly subscription basis: users select one of three "subscription plans", which can be changed or cancelled at any time. Donation go to the special Stopify fund run by the project partner, Ziedot.lv, Latvia's biggest charity organisation. The funds will be used to buy equipment and other vital necessities for soldiers, while the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia will provide information about the urgent needs of the Armed Forces. Information about the use of donations will be published on Stopify's social media accounts. This service will run until the day of Ukraine's victory or the signing of a peace agreement on Ukraine's terms.
"We welcome wholeheartedly, every initiative, every idea that proves to the people of Ukraine that we are not alone, and that the international community is with us! To continue the fight against the army of the terrorist state of russia, every day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine need various important supplies - from water purification tablets, food and clothe, to night vision goggles and UAVs. I am convinced this platform will become a powerful and effective means of support for the Ukrainian military, who bring us closer with their heroism and sacrifice to the day when peace, freedom, and security reigns over the entire Ukrainian land," said Ambassador of Ukraine to Latvia Olexandr Mischenko.
According to Ziedot.lv CEO Rūta Dimanta, "The Latvian public is very supportive and helpful - we witness this every day as people make donations to all kinds of charitable causes. Even so, every encouragement, every reminder and new initiative is valuable and necessary - particularly for such an important goal as the liberation of Ukraine. Monthly donation streaming will be a new experience and a great opportunity to do something really good: the users of the many streaming portals already have all the necessary skills, all that's needed now is their goodwill!"
Stopify will be available in English and Ukrainian. According to its creators, Latvia wants to inspire the international community to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom more actively.
You can stream donations here: stopify.org.ua
The author of the project's concept and creative director is Māris Upenieks, its developer is the digital agency Cube, and its strategic partners are Ziedot.lv and the Embassy of Ukraine in Latvia.
