Key facts
- The Kyiv Independent successfully completed its largest membership drive, engaging 4,000 new supporters and growing its community to nearly 34,000 members.
- The outlet launched a limited-edition vyshyvanka shirt, which sold out in less than a month.
- A new consulting program was initiated to assist five regional Ukrainian newsrooms in diversifying revenue streams.
- The 'Ukraine This Week' video show is now available as an audio podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Kyiv Independent journalists and editors were featured in various international media outlets, including The Bulwark, FAZ, and RTVE.
- The Kyiv Independent announced its first live event in the UK, scheduled for October 2 in London.
The Kyiv Independent has introduced a new monthly digest format to share behind-the-scenes company news, aiming for transparency with its reader-funded community. The June digest highlights significant achievements in membership growth, product launches, and efforts to support other Ukrainian newsrooms.
In June, the outlet successfully completed its largest membership drive, surpassing its goal of engaging 4,000 new supporters and expanding its community to nearly 34,000 members across more than 100 countries. This growth is intended to broaden the reach of its journalism and ensure financial stability during wartime.
New initiatives include the launch of the Kyiv Independent's first vyshyvanka, a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, created in collaboration with Gaptuvalnya. The limited run of 100 shirts sold out quickly. Additionally, the outlet launched a consulting program with Estonian partners Delfi Meedia and MTÜ Mondo to help five regional Ukrainian newsrooms diversify revenue and reduce reliance on grants, offering one-on-one consulting and a €10,000 grant.
The Kyiv Independent also expanded its reach by making its weekly video show, 'Ukraine This Week,' available as an audio podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Its press office was active in June, with journalists' columns and reporting appearing in outlets like The Bulwark and FAZ, and interviews conducted with publications such as War on the Rocks and RTVE. Investigations by Alisa Yurchenko and reporting by Zakhar Protsiuk were also featured by other media.
Team members attended several international events. Audience Growth Manager Elsa Court spoke at the Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum, while COO Zakhar Protsiuk presented at Almedalsveckan in Sweden. Business Editor Lili Bivings moderated a panel at the Ukraine Reconstruction Conference, and Business Reporter Dominic Culverwell presented at Ukraine Tech Day. The Kyiv Independent also announced its first live event in the UK, scheduled for October 2 in London, featuring Editor-in-Chief Olga Rudenko, CEO Daryna Shevchenko, and reporters.