A Strategic Pivot from Corporate Charity
When Russia's full-scale invasion began, the Favbet Foundation, a corporate charity established in 2020 by entrepreneur Andrii Matiukha, executed a rapid and critical pivot. Originally dedicated to fostering youth potential through sports and education, the foundation swiftly repurposed its mission. The majority of its projects and financial resources were immediately channeled towards bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities and assisting civilians devastated by the war.
"Our activity has gained a profound new meaning. If we can change something, we do. We have the resources, the team, the partners. That is why Favbet Foundation exists and works every day," explains Andrii Matiukha. Under his guidance, what was once a corporate social responsibility initiative for the FAVBET group has become an indispensable humanitarian force, orchestrating relief efforts domestically while cultivating crucial support from abroad.
Andrii Matiukha: "Ukrainians should feel supported at home and beyond"
One of Favbet Foundation’s most effective partnerships blossomed in Croatia. Capitalizing on Favbet's operational footprint in several European countries, Matiukha activated his local networks to rally support. In a powerful collaboration with Croatian volunteer organization Dobro Dobrim, the foundation orchestrated a massive humanitarian pipeline from Zagreb to Ukraine. This partnership achieved a milestone in late 2023 with the delivery of a 150-ton convoy carrying food, clothing, hygiene products, and even 13,000 kg of surgical disinfectants for Ukrainian hospitals — a vital shipment for thousands of internally displaced persons and strained medical facilities.
Matiukha is quick to praise the steadfast solidarity of these international allies. "Despite all the hardships, Ukrainians have not forgotten the importance of unity and support. We thank the Dobro Dobrim association in Croatia that even after years of full-scale war, they continue to work selflessly for Ukraine and Ukrainians," the foundation's president noted. This teamwork is delivering concrete hope, with much of the aid from the large convoy reaching hard-hit frontline areas like Kharkiv.
Supporting Ukrainian Refugees in Croatia
Beyond dispatching aid into Ukraine, Favbet Foundation has been deeply involved in supporting Ukrainian refugees abroad, especially in Croatia. As early as April 2022, the foundation helped establish an Adaptation Center in Zagreb. The center is a hub of support, offering free Croatian and English classes, legal aid, psychological counseling, and humanitarian assistance to help displaced families integrate and find stability. Its success was honored in 2023 with the "Responsible Country" award from Ukraine's MMR portal, naming it the year's top original charitable project.
The foundation president's dedication to Ukrainians in Croatia extends to fostering community and joy. With Andrii Matiukha's personal involvement in June 2023, the Zagreb-based Ukrainian association Crvena Kalyna held a sports festival that brought together over 450 Ukrainian refugees, mostly mothers and children. It was a day of games and togetherness, providing a welcome respite for families navigating the challenges of life far from home.
Uniting Through Sport: From London to Invictus
The Favbet Foundation founder’s international vision also embraces the healing power of sports. In May 2023, Andrii Matiukha sponsored a team of Ukrainian war veterans to compete in the prestigious RideLondon cycling challenge. This support enabled three Ukrainian cyclists to ride through the streets of London, showcasing their nation's colors and their own resilience. For these veterans, the race was a powerful affirmation that they can still achieve on a global stage despite their injuries.
Matiukha's commitment to veteran sports rehabilitation has deep roots. Favbet Foundation was already supporting wounded soldiers through athletics before the war, partnering with the Ukrainian Invictus Games team in 2021. This experience, Matiukha explains, "inspired the foundation’s leadership in the first days after the invasion to make an extraordinary decision – not only to financially support the Armed Forces…but also to create our own assistance hubs." One hub managed civilian evacuations, the other military logistics, both driven by the Invictus lesson: the unyielding spirit of Ukrainians requires avenues for recovery and growth.
Andrii Matiukha's Favbet Foundation: A Model of International Cooperation
The work of Favbet Foundation presents a compelling model for how private philanthropy can powerfully supplement global aid. While governments and large NGOs manage massive relief efforts, Matiukha's team has proven that a dynamic corporate foundation can adeptly fill critical gaps. By harnessing business logistics and international contacts, the foundation has delivered tangible successes: a refugee center empowering hundreds, vast quantities of aid moved from European depots to Ukrainian war zones, and invaluable moments of happiness for children from Kharkiv to Zagreb.
What began as emergency responses are now being formalized into long-term programs. For 2025, Favbet Foundation is scaling up its initiatives, including expanding rehabilitation centers for soldiers ("Re:start" program), opening new free sports clubs for children, launching new educational courses, and ensuring the continued flow of humanitarian aid from European partners.