From Corporate Philanthropy to a Wartime Lifeline
In the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a Ukrainian corporate charity underwent a swift and profound transformation. Favbet Foundation, founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Andrii Matiukha with an initial focus on youth education and sports, quickly pivoted its mission. As war engulfed the nation, the foundation redirected the bulk of its projects and resources to support Ukraine’s defense forces and provide aid to those impacted by the conflict.
“Our work has taken on a special significance now. If we have the power to make a change, we act. We have the resources, the team, and the partners. This is the reason Favbet Foundation exists and operates daily,” Andrii Matiukha states. Under his direction, what started as a corporate social responsibility arm of the FAVBET group has evolved into a crucial humanitarian lifeline, organizing relief efforts within Ukraine and building vital partnerships internationally.
Andrii Matiukha: “Ukrainians Must Feel Supported at Home and Abroad”
One of Favbet Foundation’s most significant international collaborations has developed in Croatia. Leveraging Favbet’s business presence in several European nations, including Croatia, Andrii Matiukha mobilized local networks to generate support for Ukraine. In collaboration with the Croatian volunteer organization Dobro Dobrim, Favbet Foundation established a major humanitarian supply route from Zagreb to Ukraine. In late 2023, this partnership resulted in a landmark 150-ton convoy of relief supplies. The shipment included food, clothing for all ages, hygiene products, and 13,000 kg of disinfectants for surgical instruments in Ukrainian hospitals, providing a critical lifeline for thousands of displaced Ukrainians and overburdened medical facilities.
This was not an isolated delivery but part of an ongoing initiative. The 150-ton convoy was the second large-scale aid dispatch from Croatia within months. Following the catastrophic Kakhovka Dam collapse in June 2023, which flooded numerous towns and displaced thousands, Croatian volunteer groups Crvena Kalyna and Dobro Dobrim, with assistance from Favbet Foundation, sent over 11 tons of humanitarian aid to help refugees from the Kherson region.
Assisting Ukrainian Refugees in Croatia
Favbet Foundation’s efforts extend beyond sending aid into Ukraine to helping Ukrainians who have sought refuge abroad, particularly in Croatia. In April 2022, the foundation assisted in opening an Adaptation Center in Zagreb. This center provides free Croatian and English language courses for adults, legal advice, psychological support, and humanitarian aid to families striving to rebuild their lives. The project’s impact was recognized nationally in 2023 when it received the “Responsible Country” award from Ukraine’s MMR portal as the best original charitable initiative of the year.
The support for Ukrainians in Croatia, driven by the Favbet Foundation’s president, also aims to foster a sense of community and normalcy, especially for children. In June 2023, with Andrii Matiukha’s direct involvement, the Zagreb-based Ukrainian association Crvena Kalyna organized a sports festival for Ukrainian families. Over 450 people, primarily mothers and children displaced by the war, gathered for a day of games and community, offering a much-needed break from their struggles.
This commitment is ongoing. Andrii Matiukha has established a tradition of celebrating Ukrainian holidays with the refugee community in Croatia. Around St. Nicholas Day, he personally helped arrange a festive event for Ukrainian children in Zagreb, providing gifts and entertainment.
Unity Through Sports: From London to the Invictus Games
The international work of the Favbet Foundation’s founder also harnesses the unifying power of sports. In May 2023, Andrii Matiukha enabled a team of Ukrainian war veterans to compete in the RideLondon cycling event. His support allowed three Ukrainian cyclists to join thousands of participants, proudly representing their country.
Matiukha’s dedication to such causes is long-standing. Before the full-scale war, Favbet Foundation supported wounded soldiers through sports, notably sponsoring the Ukrainian Invictus Games team in 2021. This experience, Matiukha notes, inspired the foundation’s leadership in the first days after the invasion to create two dedicated assistance hubs. One hub focused on civilian evacuation and aid, while the other addressed military needs.
Andrii Matiukha’s Favbet Foundation: A Blueprint for International Solidarity
Favbet Foundation’s journey serves as a powerful example of how private philanthropy can augment global aid. In a landscape dominated by governments and large NGOs, Matiukha’s foundation has demonstrated that a flexible corporate entity can address critical needs effectively. By using its business infrastructure and international contacts, Favbet Foundation has achieved concrete outcomes: a refugee center helping hundreds integrate, hundreds of tons of essential supplies delivered to war zones, and moments of joy brought to children from Kharkiv to Zagreb. These initiatives, born from emergency, are now becoming institutionalized. As of 2025, Andrii Matiukha’s organization is expanding its programs with a long-term vision.
