Our Story

Razom was born out of the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 when millions of people worked together and risked their lives to build a pathway to a better future for Ukraine.  Those who were unable to be in Ukraine during this time, wanted to do their part to help the movement as best they could from abroad. Many sent funds and supplies to sustain the community built on the Maidan through the winter, but they also took to the streets in their own cities to raise awareness and amplify voices from Ukraine in the West.

 

In New York, a handful of the organizers and participants of those activities decided to form an organization that could help sustain momentum and propel forward the important work started on the Maidan.  They named it Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian and serves as a constant reminder of the community that it takes to create, build and do, to stay the path towards a more prosperous and democratic Ukraine.

 

Key Milestones

November 21, 2013

First demonstrators gather on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv, Ukraine protesting the president’s decision to suspend the signing of an Association Agreement with the EU.  Several days later, Berkut police force violently breaks up peaceful protests.

December 1, 2013

Over a million people march in Kyiv, and in two weeks time, Maidan transforms into a stronghold of a diverse community of people defending their right to building a more prosperous Ukraine.

December 15, 2013

Ukrainian expats and Ukrainian-Americans organize demonstrations, marches, and flashmobs across New York City in support of people on the Maidan.

 

January 24, 2014

Razom registers as a legal entity.

February 20, 2014

From January to February, Razom raises $136,159.94 for emergency support of Maidan protesters.

 

February 22, 2014

Ukrainian president flees the country, new government signs the EU agreement. Meanwhile, Russian forces invade Eastern Ukraine and annex Crimea.

April 15, 2014

Razom publishes an 80-page white paper titled “The Crisis in Ukraine: It’s Legal Dimensions” outlining the legal and human rights issues in eastern Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Widely distributed on the Hill in Washington, D.C., the report is now included in the reading lists of courses at top law schools.

December 15, 2014

Razom collects shipments totaling four tonnes of aid for Ukrainian refugee centers, orphanages, and other vetted charities and Razom partners.

 

April 25, 2015

Razom partners with Madison Square Garden to cheer on Klitschko. Madison Square Garden donates a portion of ticket sales sold through Razom for projects supporting Ukraine.

 

August 1, 2015

Razom begins Reformers Without Borders program, sending fellows to Odesa who work on various projects with local volunteers, including launching various e-gov tools.

 

August 4, 2015

Razom holds its first Razom IT event to support the growth of an engaged middle class in Ukraine through its booming tech sector.  Over the course of the next year, Razom hosts 8 Razom IT Speaker Series bringing together 200+ attendees.

 

April 27, 2016

Razom raises over $10,000 to support Hromadske Radio’s programming and arranges a program for journalists to connect with their US counterparts in public radio in New York City and Washington, DC.

 

May 23, 2016

Razom brings five startups from Ukraine for a week-long immersive learning program in NYC to connect with the tech start-up community.  The trip culminated with presentations at a long-running pitch night hosted by The Hatchery, called ‘Are You Serious?’

 

Razom IT Trip participants in NYC

June 25, 2016

Razom. Art. Jam. showcases Ukrainian creative talent by bringing together animators, musicians, artists, and fashion designers for a night of contemporary Ukrainian culture.

November 17, 2016

Razom hosts its first Tech Ecosystem Summit at Civic Hall in New York bringing together an exchange amongst the Ukrainian and US tech communities. Over 90 people attend.

 

February 17, 2017

Razom publishes its third white paper, a report titled “U.S. Policy on Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities” and presents it on Capitol Hill.

 

March 5, 2017

Co-Pilot Project raises enough funds and medical equipment to bring a team of neurosurgeons from the US to Ukraine where they go on to conduct 40 major brain and spine operations across the country.

 

May 1, 2017

Razom raises $4,200 for Building Ukraine Together (BUR), a camp composed of volunteers from all parts of Ukraine, and from the US who help Ukrainians affected by the war rebuild their homes.

July 12, 2017

Thanks to Razom’s fundraising for the second year in a row, the entire Ukrainian MathOlymp team is able to take part in the 2017 International Mathematical Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro, placing 14th in the world. Later that year, over $15,000 is raised for Razom Ticket helping Ukrainian local and national teams travel to academic olympiads in STEM subjects.

 

November 3, 2017

Razom organizes a panel discussion with Slava Vakarchuk, Yulia Marushevska and Solomia Bobrovska on reforms and leadership in modern Ukraine.

 

January 11, 2018

Razom hosts a talk with Marci Shore about her new book “The Ukrainian Night” a vivid and intimate account of the Ukrainian Revolution that began on the Maidan.

 

March 20, 2018

Razom launches its newest partnership with Istorychna Pravda, a publication founded by Vakhtang Kipiani that fosters the responsible study of the history of Ukraine.

 

May 15, 2018

Razom helps fund and organize a tour across US and Canada to screen “Invisible Battalion” with its creator, director, and stars of the first Ukrainian documentary film about women at war, produced and filmed by women.

 

June 2, 2018

Razom volunteers organize protests across New York City to raise awareness about the hunger strike of Oleg Sentsov to demand for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia.

August 28, 2018

Razom partners with the Institute of Gender Programs, and raises a scholarship fund of $9,300 that will give four veterans an opportunity to study in Master’s programs at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

September 18, 2018

Razom helps organize the installation “Fashion Experiment 01” with Ukrainian Fashion Week in Tribeca, and assists Ukrainian designer Bevza in showcasing unique designs on the runway at New York Fashion Week.