For the first time this year, a special award was introduced, dedicated to a project that simply refused to be forgotten. This recognition goes to the people whose contribution cannot be confined to any traditional category, but whose impact left a lasting impression on everyone. This year, the special award – proudly presented by iNGAME and Svensky Kaubanduse AS – is titled the Connector of the Year (Aasta ühendaja).
They say that a friend in need is a friend indeed, and the campaign launched under the leadership of the Society of International Relations (Rahvusvaheliste Suhete Ring) proved that Ukraine truly has many friends among Estonian students – bringing together 27 organizations for the solidarity initiative “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed” (“Sõpra tuntakse hädas”). The objective of the campaign was to show that the struggle of the Ukrainian people has not been forgotten. The students proved that an active civil society is the foundation of our community. Despite their limited student resources, they managed to raise over €4,300 in donations, which were distributed primarily among the NGO Free Ukraine (MTÜ Vaba Ukraina), NGO Mondo (MTÜ Mondo), and the Estonian Food Bank (Toidupank). In addition, they gathered to weave camouflage nets and set up donation boxes.
Hand in hand with the fundraising went a collaborative social media and awareness campaign. The call-to-action Instagram post reached tens of thousands of views, and the initiative received widespread media coverage. Consequently, beyond financial support, the campaign succeeded in bringing the war in Ukraine back to the forefront of public discourse and back into people’s hearts. The sense of unity fostered by this expression of solidarity proved that students possess the power, the skills, and the resolve to lead the way for society as a whole on critical issues.
According to the representatives of the organization, the initiative was born out of a profound sense of injustice and frustration. However, they chose to channel that frustration into aid and take tangible action. “Together we always achieve more, so let’s be there for one another!” they added.