RISU was founded to provide non-denominational information about religious life in Ukraine to both domestic and international audiences. Initially, the focus was on foreign readers, particularly journalists, who needed unbiased information in an accessible language, especially before Pope John Paul II's visit to Ukraine. Consequently, RISU initially communicated in English, with the Ukrainian version launching in October 2001. A Russian version followed due to distortions in Russian media coverage, which reached a large audience.

From the outset, RISU has had several missions, or "callings," as they refer to them at the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), the entity that founded our news agency.

The first mission is to inform, analyze, clarify, and convey objective information, including about groups that are often overlooked or not covered by others, such as various religious minorities, lay and monastic communities, and other religious settings. It is essential for us to observe events as they unfold, understand their background and potential developments, and identify possible threats. This mission is encapsulated in our slogan: keeping our finger on the pulse of religious life in Ukraine.

Another important task related to this mission is monitoring the state of religious freedom and promoting religious tolerance through mutual understanding and openness to people of other faiths and traditions living nearby.

The second mission, established from the beginning, is to serve as an information bridge between religious circles and the secular media. While this role was more necessary in our early days, today, numerous religious media outlets fulfill this function, and secular media now cover religious life more comprehensively. Nevertheless, the RISU team remains an expert community available for advice, information, and commentary.

The third mission is educational: we aim to learn about and present the depths of faith, worldview, tradition, and culture across different churches and religions. We cover topics such as holidays, rituals, biblical studies, and liturgy, and we prepare and present reference material and other useful resources. Our aspiration is to create a high-quality reference and educational database modeled after Wikipedia.

The fourth mission, which evolved in our early years, is to counter disinformation, manipulation, stereotypes, and hostile activities. Although the foundation of RISU was influenced by this mission — given that foreign journalists were often swayed by powerful Russian propaganda distorting perceptions of processes and events in Ukraine — its relevance continues to this day.

At one point, a visitor from the U.S. joked that RISU could also stand for “Religious Intelligence Service of Ukraine.” This idea resonated with us, highlighting our role within our broader mission. We recognize that our resources are limited; thus, we welcome cooperation with other institutions and activists who investigate and address crucial issues related to religious and national security.

Finally, RISU represents theological thought, religious studies, religious tourism and pilgrimages, a library of religious literature, and more. In summary, it encompasses various aspects of religious life that intersect with faith and its manifestation in society, touching on numerous human interests and social processes.

To draw attention to the wealth of information available on the RISU portal, we plan to focus more actively on our fundamental, “missionary” areas of activity throughout this year. It’s important to remember past events that should not be forgotten, as well as those that are significant for today.

We have made significant progress, but we still face a challenge: finding individuals willing to support these key areas of RISU's work.

As we enter our sixth year of operation, we continue to do so without stable financial backing, grants, or major donations, relying solely on the support of our founder, the Ukrainian Catholic University, and small contributions from our readers. Our editorial staff has been significantly reduced, and we now lack a dialogue fund, new authors, and fresh ideas. We recognize that this is the 12th year of war, with the past four years being particularly challenging, which has strained our resources. This war is also hybrid in nature, with religion playing a crucial role. Thus, providing objective, high-quality religious information is essential to our Victory.

In celebration of RISU's 25th anniversary, our editorial team has set an ambitious goal: to establish a stabilization fund that would enable us to continue operations in the absence of grants or permanent funding. It’s important to note that RISU relies on grants and donations; we do not receive financing from any churches or religious organizations, but rather support comes from specific individuals or institutions.

Bishop Borys Gudziak often emphasizes that fundraising is essentially friendraising. Our long-time friend Mykhailo Salo adds that while it’s important to have sponsors who contribute large sums occasionally, the true value comes from those who donate regularly, whether in larger or smaller amounts, ideally every month.

That’s why RISU primarily focuses on cultivating a community of regular supporters, including readers, authors, and concerned individuals who are passionate about religious journalism in Ukraine. We believe that projects like RISU are vital and deserve to thrive.

In honor of RISU's 25th anniversary, we announce the opening of a MONObank account. You can contribute using the bank card number 4874 1000 2446 1595. Additionally, you can make a one-time donation or become a monthly sponsor via LikPay. If you wish to donate from outside Ukraine, you can do so via PayPal by emailing [email protected].

We do not set specific financial targets because we recognize the critical nature of fundraising efforts for our military and the defense of our country. We are grateful for every donation, for spreading the word about our needs, and for helping us attract more readers and supporters. We also welcome proposals from respected investors looking to provide strategic support to RISU.

We believe that we have thousands of friends, just as we have thousands of daily readers. Together, we can help expedite our Victory!

Everything for Ukraine, and Ukraine to God!