- The war in Ukraine rages on two months after Russia’s initial attack
- Streamers and esports organizations are running the campaign #StreamersWithUkraine to raise funds for humanitarian aid
- The campaign welcomes all streamers, pro players, and organizations that like to help
Ukrainian esports entity Organization.GG is spearheading a campaign to raise $1 million for humanitarian aid with the aid of esports players and streamers.
Esports Organizations Have Started Campaigns for Humanitarian Aid
For over two months the world has had its eyes pointed toward the war in Ukraine. The conflict that started on February 24 with Russia’s invasion of its smaller neighbor has led to massive devastation and the death of thousands of soldiers and civilians. The war has even had a reach far beyond the directly affected areas with millions of refugees leaving Ukraine and prices for energy and other products globally being inflated.
Interestingly even the esports community had been touched by the conflict, as Ukraine is considered one of the biggest esports hubs in Europe. The country has produced many champions in games like Dota 2, CS:GO, and others. The esports scene as a whole condemned the war, often banning Russian organizations from participating in tournaments and other events.
Meanwhile, gaming companies and organizations raised millions of dollars in humanitarian aid for Ukraine. One entity that also wants to help is the Organization.GG startup, together with WePlay Holding and Reface, launched a marathon called #StreamersWithUkraine, with the aim of gathering $1 million for humanitarian needs.
The campaign which started on March 24 and will continue until May 16 sees streamers help reach the goal, with all funds going to Razom and Nova Ukraine, US-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits helping Ukrainians directly.
How #StreamersWithUkraine Stared
Organization.GG is an online platform that helps esports pros and streamers to grow and monetize their community through online experiences. It was founded in Ukraine in 2020 by CEO Dima Okhrimchuk and CTO Denis Kurilienko, and after Russia’s invasion began, the team decided to help in any way they can.
Okhrimchuk explained that during the first days of the war, he felt the platform was useless when it came to helping others. However, the team later realized they can use Organization.GG’s popularity to raise funds and spread awareness about the war amongst young viewers.
Although the team was under constant bombardment, together with our partners, we managed to pull this off and contribute to helping Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes and abandon their plans for the future,” Okhrimchuk explained.
Streamers Are at the Center of Fund Raising
When the team at Organization.GG decided to make the charity marathon they partnered with other esports-related organizations like WePlay Holding and Reface. Organization.GG additionally got help from other sources like esports media company Esports Insider, and talent agencies like FantasyExpo, Evolved, Ader Gaming, and others.
“On February 24, the life of our employees and the company was divided into “before” and “after”. Like other companies from Ukraine, we began to look for opportunities to help our country and people,” WePlay CEO Oleh Humeniuk explained. He added he is very happy to be able to work with so many talents. “The #StreamersWithUkraine marathon is a great initiative that allows esports representatives to apply their best skills to help Ukrainians in this difficult time.”
The war in Ukraine demonstrated the esports community’s passion, and many professional players and streamers from across multiple competitive games such as CS:GO, Call of Duty, and Apex Legends joined the marathon. “In these tough times, everyone helps the country in their own way,” said Danil “Dendi” Ishutin, a participant in the campaign. “I’m very glad to take a part in this charitable marathon! Huge thanks to all those who donated.”
“I joined just wanting to contribute with money and entertainment to the victims of this war,” said pro Dota 2 player N0tail, who played against Dendi on April 5. If we all spend a little time and money wisely, I'm hoping we can make a difference for people with hardships future. Thanks for supporting.”
How Can You Help
Although Organization.GG originally intended to run the campaign for one month until April 24, but it decided to extend it until May 16. The marathon is open to all streamers, companies, and organizations from all over the world, regardless of their audience and interests.
To get involved in the campaign, you can sign up on Organization.GG’s official website. After registering, participants will be able to contribute by:
- Sharing a unique PayPal donation link on social media
- Adding donation a QR code to their live streams or broadcasts
- Playing games or hosting live experiences with viewers while promoting other ways to get involved
If you want to donate to a streamer participating in the campaign, you can click on links or scan the QR code and be redirected to the marathon page. There you can select the fund you want to help with and donate directly. The money will be transferred to Organization.GG, which does not take any percentage.
