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The independent media project “Nottoday.media” has become a voice for stigmatized communities who are most often denied empathy by institutions: people struggling with addiction in exile, dissidents and activists, women and queer artists, representatives of counterculture and the underground scene. Your support will help the project achieve financial sustainability and independence.
“Nottoday.media” began as a media initiative about forced Belarusian exile. Over time, we realized that the framework of a traditional media outlet was too narrow for us, and we chose the path of independent self-publishing (samizdat). We write about what we encounter in our own lives — and what we cannot ignore.
Today, our focus includes human rights, counterculture, contemporary Belarusian culture, vulnerable communities, and activism. Over four years, we have told more than 100 stories about individuals and independent initiatives. This year, we expanded our work: in addition to publishing stories, we organize fundraisers for our protagonists in difficult situations and host lectures and public events.
We work with the generation of “young and lost adults” (ages 18–40). These are people whose formative years coincided with political upheaval and repression. Today, they are “nomads by force,” scattered along migration routes between Belarus, Poland, Georgia, and Lithuania. Many are rebuilding their lives from scratch in Warsaw, Vilnius, or Tbilisi — often without insurance, legal protection, or family support. Our mission is to provide a non-judgmental platform for their voices.
Our project has become a voice for stigmatized groups who are often denied compassion by systemic institutions:
People struggling with addiction in exile
Those caught in a двойной trap between trauma and substance use. We approach addiction not as a moral failing, but as a social consequence — and we help organize fundraising for rehabilitation and detox.
Dissidents and activists
We provide space for those who have endured prison and persecution, helping them integrate painful experiences into a new reality.
Counterculture and the underground
We support artists, musicians, and squat organizers, defending their right to alternative ways of living in a world where the cult of success and individualism often replaces solidarity.
Women and queer artists
We document women’s experiences of overcoming trauma through literature and autofiction, creating a space for safe expression.
An international bridge
Our English-language edition brings local issues to a global audience, raising awareness about human rights and counterculture in our region.
Your support will help us secure financial stability and independence for a full year. In exile, even a basic operating budget is often difficult to sustain.
The requested amount will also allow us to expand our team. We plan to bring on a new contributor who will publish one in-depth investigative longread per month. Part of the budget will ensure fair compensation for this work, because one of our core principles is that all labor deserves to be paid fairly.
We are not simply raising money — we are committed to transparency and accountability. Every month, we publish detailed financial reports on our social media (Telegram and Instagram), documenting all income and expenses. We maintain an open registry where donors can track how funds are used.
Fundraising Goal
€1500
€1200 — annual honorarium fund for a new author
(One in-depth longread per month, €100 per article. We believe that high-quality, complex work deserves fair compensation — even in independent media.)
€300 — technical support for one year
(Hosting, domain renewal, and basic website security to ensure nottoday.media remains accessible and stable regardless of external circumstances.)