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December 16, 2022
February 24th, 2022, will forever be remembered as the day Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. One day later, by sheer coincidence, STROIKA’s formal registration was finalized. We came into existence on the eve of enormous destruction. As an organization whose mission is to build (‘stroika’ means ‘construction site’ in Russian), we realized that we were made for this moment.
Working through a daze of shock and grief, we started a small grassroots fund to raise money for Ukrainian groups we knew and respected, who were not getting adequate support from international aid efforts. We set out to raise $100,000.
The STROIKA Ukraine Fund has exceeded all of our expectations: we have now raised over half a million dollars for the Ukrainian grassroots. By the end of 2022, we will have disbursed over $420,000 to seven local organizations working in public health, human rights, and environmental protection. An additional $100,000 will be going out in January to five feminist organizations, and we continue to fundraise. These funds come at a critical time for the groups, as this brutal war grinds on and a long cold winter with frequent power outages has set in.
Having seen that war is the ultimate tool in the authoritarian toolbox, STROIKA’s mission is all the more urgent: toreverse the tide of rising authoritarianism globally by building, resourcing, and connecting resistance movements around the globe.
In 2023, we will continue to provide networking and fundraising support for exiled journalists who have fled their politically oppressive countries. We will bring together for joint strategizing abortion rights activists working across borders (US/Mexico & Poland/Ukraine), and will pilot strategic communications work to challenge “traditional values” and “anti-gender” narratives in authoritarian contexts. And we are most excited to launch a globally-focused STROIKA Anti-Authoritarian Fund, building on the Ukraine Fund’s success. We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.
We are also continuing to provide consulting support to private philanthropies and international NGOs, both large and small. Maximizing the impact of the ‘social good’ sector is a critical part of our mission, because even the best-intentioned organizations fall short of their purpose when they don’t properly attend to critical internal issues. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to learn more about how we can help.
As this intense year winds down, we offer a very heartfelt thank you for your support. You were with us from our earliest days, and it has meant the world to us.
We wish you and your loved ones a restful holiday season. We hope that the new year is a healthier and more peaceful one for us all.
With deep gratitude,
Yelena & Tatyana
STROIKA, Inc.
Consider giving to STROIKA’s Anti-Authoritarian Fund: your tax-deductible donations will provide critical support to the frontline groups working for a better future around the world. If you know of an organization or activist that would be a good fit for STROIKA’s global anti-authoritarian network, don’t hesitate to contact us. And seek out the progressive local organizations and civic movements that inspire you in your own communities, and find ways to give of your time and talents.
