Support Maiak
Maiak is an independent bilingual media platform about people, culture and society. We create space for stories that often remain unheard in mainstream media.
Our mission is to:
- give a voice to people whose stories are rarely heard or who cannot safely speak for themselves
- introduce international readers to authentic Ukrainian culture — beyond stereotypes and simplified narratives
- challenge outdated perceptions of Ukraine through real human stories
- counter hostile propaganda by providing context, nuance and alternative perspectives
- highlight art, culture and creative work that shape contemporary Ukrainian identity
- tell the stories of ethical, social, veteran-led and craft businesses that are building a new culture of responsible entrepreneurship.
We believe in slow journalism — journalism that listens carefully, treats people with respect and creates bridges between cultures.
What your support helps sustain
Maiak is created by a small international team living in different cities and countries. Much of our work happens online, so part of our expenses go towards the basic infrastructure that allows the team to collaborate and keep the magazine running.
Your support helps cover:
The technical infrastructure of the magazine
- website hosting, domain and technical maintenance
- professional corporate email accounts for the team
- online meeting tools (such as Zoom) that allow the team to work together regularly despite living in different countries
The bilingual nature of the magazine
- translation tools such as DeepL
- editing and grammar tools like Grammarly
These tools help us publish stories in both Ukrainian and English so they can be read by Ukrainian readers and an international audience.
Producing journalistic stories
Every story in Maiak is the work of several people:
- journalists who write long-form stories and interviews
- editors who work closely with the texts and help refine them
- designers who create visuals for the website and social media
- photographers who document events and people
- illustrators who help us tell sensitive stories when we cannot show the faces of our protagonists — for example military personnel, people with traumatic experiences, or those whose safety requires anonymity.
Developing new formats
Your support also helps us invest in the future of the magazine:
- special editorial projects
- podcasts and multimedia storytelling
our long-standing dream — a printed edition of Maiak.
Every contribution matters
Even a small contribution helps us continue this work, tell new stories and support independent journalism.
We believe media can exist thanks to people who value truthful storytelling, humanity and culture.
Thank you for helping Maiak continue its journey. If our values resonate with you and you would like these stories to continue, please consider supporting Maiak.