Sombra for Ukraine initiative was created to support the development of tech and science education in Ukraine. That was exactly the plan for 2022. However, russia’s unprovoked invasion happened.
Therefore, in February 2022, the company decided to take action to help Ukraine defend itself. On the one hand, we’ve focused on delivering unparalleled custom software development services to our clients. On the other hand, we accelerated our efforts in volunteering and donating to fulfill the immediate needs of civilians as well as the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
That was how the Sombra for Ukraine initiative changed its course in 2022 yet remained true to the initial idea. We’re happy to report on our results.
Key figures
We have donated over 25M hryvnias:
- 20 vehicles worth over ₴5M
- Military equipment worth over ₴4M
- Military ammunition worth over ₴6M
- ₴6M+ donated directly to charity organizations
- 17 humanitarian aid expeditions
- 3000+ aid packages given out
- 1 renovated hospital room
- 1 modernized university auditorium
- Dozens of charity events
Back in February, sending donations to trusted charities like Come Back Alive was our first impulse. Later, we organized a volunteer coordination hub right in our Lviv office. It turned out that continuing working became another effort we could make to support our country’s economy. We kept on opening new positions and hiring new people. You can check out some of our latest job openings here.
And just like that, the strategic course for ‘Sombra for Ukraine’ was determined.
Military aid
Direct donations
The company decided to donate part of its profits to Come Back Alive. Additionally, each employee was given an opportunity to renounce a part of their monthly remuneration. Altogether, we’ve donated over 6 million hryvnias to various charities.
Vehicles, equipment, ammunition
In March, we found a factory with experience in sewing military ammunition. The company purchased fabric, and after thorough testing, we started sewing tactical load-carrying vests, modular tactical vests, sleeping bags, and first aid kits.
Another crucial area of AFU support was and still is the purchase of vehicles for the front line. Therefore, we’ve participated in the “1000 cars of freedom” project.
We held a charity auction among Sombra employees to raise funds for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service. After placing 88 goods and services up for bids, along with our headline lot of financial literacy workshop over lunch with Viktor Chekh. The team raised ₴240,000 through the charity auction, and the company donated an additional ₴600,000. As a result, we managed to provide the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine with Bandera solar modules, multi-channel chargers, tablets, and power banks.
Later, our football team participated in a tournament fundraiser to support the army.
Black box
Sombra joined efforts in raising 230 million hryvnias for the ‘Black Box’ project with the ‘Come Back Alive’ foundation and the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The company donated ₴775 000 hryvnias.
Volunteering and humanitarian aid delivery expeditions
Over the last ten months, Sombra has traveled thousands of miles across Ukraine to bring food packages and other necessary goods to the recently liberated and affected areas near the frontlines in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Lyman, and other regions.
I am a village child, and I know how the village lives. You see all these burned tanks, APCs, military trucks, mines, and ammunition scattered in the fields, destroyed churches and buildings, and children playing with assault rifle magazines. It feels unnatural and does not fit into the composition and your perception of the village. And it is not just about things; it is about people. Sometimes you sense that people feel uncomfortable taking aid from your hands. You, on the other hand, feel uncomfortable giving it. You should not be providing aid to Ukrainians in Ukraine. It doesn’t feel right! We have the most fertile soils in the world! We have resilient, hard-working people. However, now they can’t do it without help, said Taras Lutsyuk after visiting the Chernihiv region shortly after russian forces retreat.
In the first days of June, Sombra had the chance to visit Kharkiv: Saltivka, Sortyrovka, and Kholodnohirskyi districts. Many people affected by the russian invasion and war live in these areas. Together with our partners, we delivered 5 tons of food and medicine to more than 400 Kharkiv residents.
The team visited Odesa and Mykolaiv in late June despite the constant shelling.
In Mykolaiv and Odesa, you feel the war more than in Lviv. You see soldiers on the streets and fewer civilians. It’s scary when the city is shelled by artillery; we saw and heard one shelling relatively close. Seeing the sincere joy of people to whom we brought food and necessities is nice. They must see and understand that Ukraine is united and regions in the rear support the frontline in these difficult times, shared Sombra CEO Viktor Chekh.
Overall, the team made up to a dozen expeditions delivering food and medication to Ukrainians in need.
Community projects
Visiting nursing homes
Participating in various social initiatives has become a tradition for Sombra. The company traditionally visited nursing homes in Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Pidbuzh to bring gifts to the residents for Easter. We needed to stick to this tradition this year.
Hospital room renovation
In August, we helped to renovate a hospital room within the ”Restoration of the rehabilitation department for defenders of Ukraine” project.
Auditorium modernization at Lviv Polytechnic National University
One of Sombra’s social initiative directions includes cooperation with universities. It is a promising investment into the future of our country. We want to help the younger generation improve their professional skills, show them what real-life projects look like, highlight the importance of developing soft skills, etc.
Sombra and Lviv Polytechnic National University have collaborated to build a modern student auditorium.
“Forests of Unity” campaign
We took part in the eco campaign ‘Forests of Unity,’ which was a part of the “Greening of the planet” initiative. Our team planted sycamore maple trees on Freedom avenue (Prospect Svobody) in Lviv while helping the campaign raise funds for vehicles for the UAF as well as the greening of the Lviv region.
Recognition
Sombra CEO, Viktor Chekh and Uliana Hileta, senior designer, were rewarded with a breastplate “Badge of Honor” for their civic position and active volunteering.
Summary
We understand the importance of the ‘Sombra for Ukraine’ initiative, as it is a part of the company’s mission. We focus on providing unparalleled custom software development services as well as act on helping our country regain peace.
UPD 2025
Sombra went further and had launched the ‘Sombra for Ukraine’ charity foundation, which has already provided assistance to more than 4,000 people. The foundation focuses on urgent humanitarian needs: supporting local communities, working alongside paramedics to deliver critical first aid, and assisting sappers in de-mining operations across reclaimed territories.
You can learn more about our efforts in our latest Sombra CSR report.
