Georgian Business for Ukraine

As a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, Georgian companies and organizations have publicly condemned Russia’s military aggression and supported Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Georgian companies have been supporting the Ukrainian people since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war. The private and public sectors provided assistance to Ukrainian citizens who could not leave or who came to Georgia due to the war, as well as sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and transferring funds to charitable accounts.

The document below provides an incomplete list of companies and organizations involved in the Ukraine assistance process (information provided by companies). It should be noted that that the member companies of the Global Compact Network Georgia are mainly represented here. The same issue of the magazine also has detailed interviews about other companies.

GPI Holding

GPI Holding has been actively involved in supporting and assisting Ukrainians since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The company has expressed solidarity through all social media channels since the start of the war.

GPI is a member of the Vienna Insurance Group, which also includes three Ukrainian insurance companies. From the very first days, the CEO communicated colleagues and expressed readiness to assist. The Vienna Insurance Group has set up the VIG Family fund in support of its Ukrainian colleagues, to which it has transferred €5 million. GPI has transferred 25,000 euros to the fund in support of Ukrainians.

The company has also launched a special project to support the Ukrainian people, per which 10% of the money received from the sale of the health insurance policies online are transferred to the Ukraine Support Fund. GPI and family doctors of Clinic Curatio have joined the international platform finddoctor, which works for Ukrainians in war or displacement. Doctors provide free consultations to Ukrainians with the help of online video calls and help them solve their health issues.

Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG)

A new section “Georgian Business in Support of Ukraine” has been created on the Corporate Responsibility Information Blog www.csrblog.ge, which is constantly updated with information on various initiatives taken by business companies to support Ukraine.

The Georgian Pro Bono Network is an informal association of companies established at the initiative of CSRDG, who want to use their expertise and professional resources for the benefit of the public. The Pro Bono Network has launched a survey of the needs of organizations working to support people affected by the war in Ukraine to offer them Pro Bono (completely free) assistance. CSRDG is involved in the Pro Bono for Peace Working Group on Global Pro Bono, which aims to coordinate the activities of the Global Pro Bono Network.

As soon as the war started, the CSRDG and the organization’s staff collected money that was transferred to the Ukrainian embassy and sent to assist the war-affected population.

The organization conducts a monthly survey of the various needs of the population in Ukraine, as well as the needs of IDPs from Ukraine in Georgia. In addition, the employees of the organization collect various resources every month to meet these needs.

ACT

In support of Ukraine, ACT became involved in a universal humanitarian action, using its experience and analytical knowledge, and at this important stage for Ukraine and Georgia, ACT conducted a survey of the Georgian people, the results of which became sort of a message to the Ukrainian people and the world.

Survey on Attitudes towards the Russia-Ukraine War

The majority of the population of Georgia – 84% – think that “Russia is the enemy”, while 87% of the population of the country think that “the war in Ukraine is also our war.”

These important results of the ACT survey became a message from Georgians that reached Ukraine and the world. The results of the survey came to the attention of the Georgian and international media. The data was also covered in the Ukrainian media, and it was important for the Ukrainian people to know that most Georgians perceive this war as their own and want Ukraine to defeat the common enemy (88%).

ACT, a research and management consulting company, surveyed the country’s population in early March over the Russia-Ukraine War. The aim of the research was to find out how our fellow citizens see this war, what their expectations are and how much they are in solidarity with the parties involved in the war. The telephone survey was conducted on March 4-6, 2022 and it covered 809 respondents. The sampling error was 4.2%.

Humanitarian Aid to Support the Ukrainian People

ACT joined in universal support of the Ukrainian people and organized humanitarian aid within the company.

As part of the campaign, ACT collected essentials for war victims, including children’s food and hygiene items, warm clothing for teenagers and adults, blankets and non-perishable products and basic necessities.

The humanitarian cargo, at the initiative of the Federation of Business Leaders “Women for Tomorrow”, joined in sending cargo organized by other business companies and was sent to Lviv with the assistance of the Embassy of Ukraine and the IWA Georgia International Women’s Association.

Public Lecture “The Power of Compassion – the Ukraine War and Us”

On April 19, at the invitation of the University of Georgia, ACT co-founder and vision leader Rusudan Telia gave a public lecture. The topic of the lecture was the Russian-Ukrainian war. Rusudan Telia spoke about the power of compassion, which is an important source of support for the Ukrainian people in this difficult struggle.

Infrastructure Construction Companies Association

The members of the association: Dagi, Energon, Steel House, All-P Group, Dika 2010, Prime Concrete, GRC, Atlas Corp Georgia, GTC Rent, Safco, Saga, Elite Motors, Special Hydro Construction, NCC INSI Construction & Building Co. Group, UG Invest, HydroDiagnostics, CIC Group, Domson’s Engineerinh, Auditescort were able to mobilize GEL 83,550. The association purchased products such as children’s food, medicines and other items with the money received in the form of donations and ensured their export to Ukraine.

The Association exported the cargo with the support of partner organization project ForUkraine.ge.

Georgian Farmers Association / Unity Platform

The Georgian Farmers’ Association, as an organization with a high sense of CSR, was well aware that words of solidarity with Ukraine alone would not suffice.

Solidarity between the organization and its team was addressed in various ways for the benefit of the Ukrainian people. The logo of the association was painted in the colors of Ukraine on the very first day of the war and the organization expressed solidarity in support of Ukraine on all social media networks. The GFA then bought baby formula and diapers worth 10,000 GEL for Ukrainian children within the framework of the Unity platform.

Clearly, the financial support did not end there; through the GFA and the Unity platform, $ 3,000 was transferred to a non-governmental organization in Ukraine that provides orphanages with products in Lviv.

The Unity platform has one main message: mot to leave anyone without care. This was the purpose of creating this platform, when at the beginning of the crisis phase caused by the coronavirus in Georgia, the platform Unity appeared in the digital world. The platform, which gave volunteers, companies and other stakeholders a unique opportunity to help 7,000 families, mobilized the resources needed to tackle pandemic problems unprecedentedly fast. Platform – www.1anoba.ge was founded by Nino Zambakhidze, Chairman of the Georgian Farmers’ Association, together with her friends Valeri Chekheria and Sandro Kandelaki.

Spilow

The company Spilow sent aid to Ukraine within the framework of the Georgian campaign “Enterprise for Ukraine”. The company expressed solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people and sent them warm clothes, hats and blankets, both for children and adults.

Chikatai

Tamara Buiglishvili, the founder of Chikatai, spoke about solidarity and aid to Ukraine – “We did not have much time to think about what to do in a situation where we all seemed powerless. How could we, a small enterprise, help those who needed it most.

We hope that soon we will send toys to Ukrainian children, but today is not the right time to send them toys, they need more humanitarian aid – basic necessities and products, so we have created a new line, 30% of which will be transferred to UNICEF special fund. This line of toys will exist until all children in Ukraine are in complete safety and there is no longer a need for their additional assistance.

We always try to reflect what we believe in what we do and share it with our audience, with whom we have been friends for almost five years. Chikatai unites everyone who believes that care is important, friendship is important, sustainability is important, quality is important, biodiversity is important, but all this will lose its meaning if there is no peace and safe environment for our children”.

Pevaton

Pevanton is a B2B platform that connects Eastern European manufacturers / brands (makers) with small European stores and insures the risks between them. The company ensured the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian population after the start of the war in Ukraine. Also, humanitarian aid was provided to refugees in Poland, organized by the University of Warsaw (Lazarski University), the purpose of which was to accommodate refugees / rent homes for them in Poland. The company is ready to employ a local Ukrainian refugee.

Terminal

The developments in Ukraine were particularly painful for the common workspace Terminal, the community of which united many Ukrainian expats along with people of different nationalities. Since the beginning of the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, Terminal has opened its doors to Ukrainians trapped in Georgia. 34 Ukrainians still use Terminal services free of charge. Terminal members have collected humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian people through the campaign organized by Omofox and Terminal. Two trucks loaded with various necessary items and products arrived in Kyiv at the end of March.

KPMG

The American Chamber of Commerce held a charity event in support of the Ukrainian people and collected donations were transferred to the Government of Ukraine. KPMG Georgia also joined the initiative and expressed its support and respect by sponsoring the event.

BDO Georgia

The BDO’s efforts to support the Ukrainian people are quite diverse. BDO Georgia is part of the International Union and has been involved in assisting its Ukrainian counterparts from day one with both financial and moral support. Provision of additional humanitarian and financial support was also an individual step of BDO Georgia.

Tegeta Holding

Tegeta Holding has created a new section on the CSR platform tegeta.care in support of Ukraine – Take Care of Freedom. The money received in the fund will be transferred to the official account of the National Bank of Ukraine.

Tegeta has already made the first donation for freedom. The holding has sent 100,000 GEL to help the war-affected population.

Anyone except the company’s employees and customers can transfer the desired amount to a specially opened account. The amount of donation is not limited, the amount will be fully transferred to the charity account of the National Bank of Ukraine.

On March 2, a marathon was held in support of Ukrainians on the Mtavari TV Channel’s program “Other Nanuka”. Tegeta Holding transferred 20,000 GEL to the Nanuka Fund for Ukraine

Tegeta will employ Ukrainian mechanics

Tegeta Holding offers employment to IDPs from Ukraine. According to the decision of the holding, all citizens from Ukraine who have experience in auto mechanics will be able to start working in the leading company in the region.

Tegeta Holding’s activities, among other business areas, include diagnosing and repairing cars and trucks, passenger cars, construction and special equipment. Accordingly, Tegeta Motors has the opportunity to offer employment to mechanics displaced from Ukraine in any field.

Free Services for Ukrainians

Tegeta Motors will offer free services to Ukrainians starting May 1. Ukrainian citizens will be able to check the car undercarriage and conduct electrical diagnostics free of charge. Additionally, a 20% discount will apply to different products and services.

Additional activities

To show solidarity with freedom-fighting Ukrainians, the Ukrainian national flag was raise in all Tegeta branches. Support stickers and information about the Foundation for the Freedom of Ukraine are distributed to all customers who come to the service centers.

Element Construction  

Element Construction has carried out both independent and partnership activities in support of Ukraine. The company also shares the initiatives of business associations. Element Construction was one of the sponsors of a charity event organized by the American Chamber of Commerce. It is important that the construction company expressed its readiness to employ Ukrainian citizens in accordance with its competence. It is noteworthy that one of them held the position of top manager in Element Construction.

Silknet

For some time, Silknet has made connecting to fixed and mobile network subscribers in Ukraine free of charge.

High-Tech Solutions  

High-tech Solutions is an IT consulting company that has existed in the Georgian labor market since 2008. The company is developing four main areas: IT infrastructure; Cyber ​​Security, Digital Transformation (DevOps) and BIG Data.

“At this moment, our whole heart and mind are with our Ukrainian partners and friends,” said High-Tech Solutions with the unconditional support of the Ukrainian people on February 24, the day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and this support continues to this day.

On March 11, the CEO of the company, Nino Gvazava, published a job offer for Ukrainians interested in working in the IT field in one of the most popular social media groups “Spend 4 Seasons in Georgia”. The opportunity is still open for Ukrainian citizens and the company is ready to consider cooperation with them.

In addition, High-Tech Solutions has been a reliable partner of Ukrainian companies for many years. Existing and future projects with them have become a top priority for the company since the start of Russia’s ferocious war in Ukraine, in order to facilitate their financial strengthening in the current situation.

Believe Foundation

Shortly after the start of hostilities in Ukraine, the Believe Foundation launched a campaign in support of the Ukrainian people in close cooperation with Georgians living in Kyiv.

Believe Foundation is in a way a link between people who want help on the one hand and volunteers who are directly at the epicenter of events. The campaign collects financial resources as well as various basic necessities. With the support of assisting organizations and ordinary citizens, 38,444 GEL has been collected so far, which has been used for humanitarian purposes, in particular for food, hygiene and medicine.

Since its inception, the campaign has helped 200 people. People with disabilities and the elderly, who have come under particular pressure as a result of the war, receive hot meals daily as part of the campaign. People are provided with basic necessities both directly in Kyiv and humanitarian aid is sent to the cities of Ukraine, which are hotspots.

As part of the campaign, the Believe Foundation also started assisting people evacuated from Ukraine to Poti. Believe Foundation already visited several families for Easter and plans similar charitable initiatives in the future. Anyone can make a financial donation to the Believe Foundation or help the Ukrainian people with medicines and basic necessities.