Solutions to win: National Lend-Lease app raises millions for Ukraine’s armed forces

Rubryka tells about the initiative.

What is the problem?

Fundraisers supporting Ukraine's armed forces have experienced a slowdown. Volunteers and foundations acknowledge that meeting the needs of the Ukrainian military now requires more time and effort than before.

What is the solution?

However, the needs of Ukraine's defenders remain as critical as ever, with every hryvnia contributing to a closer victory. 

To inspire and motivate Ukrainians, the Support Ukraine Charity Foundation has launched the National Lend-Lease mobile application. This national initiative aims to unite all those dedicated to supporting and strengthening the Ukrainian army by offering an innovative approach to volunteering.

How does it work?

The Support Ukraine Charity Foundation has been working since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Together with partners, the foundation organized deliveries to Ukraine and directly to military units of over 100 units of all-terrain vehicles and special vehicles, thousands of Mavic and FPV drones, MARA-2P UAVs, over 4,000 tons of various humanitarian cargo, etc.

"During our assistance, we realized that the lives of soldiers are not protected and this is a big problem. Simultaneously, another issue has emerged: people are growing weary. They are increasingly ignoring fundraisers on social media and television. I believe this is partly because, when people donate through platforms like Monobank, they don't always witness the impact of their contributions, which diminishes their perception of the collection's importance," Pavlo Sheptytsky, the head of the National Lend-Lease project, says.

That is why Support Ukraine created a new standard of charity – the National Lend-Lease mobile application.

The creators of the National Lend-Lease app aimed to establish more than just a platform for volunteering and donations; they envisioned a reliable and transparent ecosystem. The plan is for it to primarily facilitate the unification of business opportunities and individual efforts, both from Ukraine and abroad, in order to collectively support the Ukrainian army and meet its needs.

The project manager highlights several advantages of the National Lend-Lease app:

• Transparency and Engagement: the app features a counter that immediately displays your donation and its intended use, fostering trust and a sense of involvement for everyone involved.
• Community Reports: members of the community receive regular reports on the procurement and delivery of essential equipment for the army, such as cars, UAVs, drones, and electronic warfare systems, with a preference for Ukrainian-made equipment.
•  Incentives for Donations: the app promotes periodic donations by offering bonuses and rewards. For each contribution, users receive a digital trophy—a gamified beaver, mosquito, or goose—that can be exchanged for weekly gifts and bonuses from partners, including exclusive discounts and referral systems.
• Prize Draws: participants can enter draws to win valuable items or equipment, like art pieces, pickups, and drones, which they can send to the brigade they support.
• Upcoming Knowledge Base: a knowledge base featuring online courses that are typically priced higher than an average donation outside the app is soon to be added. This component offers a unique opportunity to blend learning with philanthropy.

The National Lend-Lease application is free. You can download it at the links:

• Google Play
• Apple Store 

Does it really work?

^{Equipment to the forefront. Photo: the Support Ukraine Foundation}

"They say that together a spark becomes a flame. That's actually how the application was created – it became one of the most successful initiatives of our foundation," Pavlo Sheptytsky noted.

Despite its relatively recent launch just over six months ago, the National Lend-Lease mobile application has already raised approximately 36 million hryvnias. This funding has facilitated the purchase and deployment of 115 FPV strike drones, 142 UAVs, 26 off-road vehicles, and 29 electronic warfare systems to the front lines.

The National Lend-Lease initiative has distributed crucial equipment to various units, including:

•  77th Dnipro Brigade, 4th Sapsan Airmobile Battalion was supplied with drones for executing combat missions.
• 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartiia" received a shipment of Mavic drones to bolster their capabilities.
• 4th Operational Brigade of the Offensive Guard "Rubizh" was equipped with third-generation night vision devices and the "Synytsia" electronic warfare complex, enhancing their operational effectiveness.

Currently, the application boasts approximately 10,000 active users. This diverse group includes not only Ukrainians but also Poles, patrons from Lithuania, Americans, and members of the Ukrainian diaspora.

"People from all over the world are joining in for the victory. This cannot but inspire," the foundation says.

Even more useful solutions!

In the "News" tab, the project team shares photo and video updates featuring both the winners of the draws and the equipment dispatched to the defenders. Users can listen to messages of gratitude from military personnel, view military equipment in action, and read reviews from benefactors who have received gifts for their donations. The tab also offers cartoons and a mini-series about the National Lend-Lease for application users to explore.

"Our plans are extensive, and we are diligently working to expand the application's functionality. This includes the development of a knowledge base and a partner program, both of which have been finalized and are set to be released soon. Within a month, users will have the opportunity to explore the app's full functionality," Pavlo Sheptytsky shares. 

He adds:

"While our current focus is on achieving victory, the application is designed for longevity, extending beyond the end of the war. Its mission transcends the immediate hostilities. After the war concludes, we will continue our efforts in rebuilding the country and providing humanitarian aid, as our project is fundamentally about delivering comprehensive public assistance to Ukraine and its citizens."

For more information about the volunteer application and its initiatives, visit the official website of National Lend-Lease.