Creation

The SOPHIA Foundation was founded end of 2019 in Kiev, under the impulse of Jean-Pierre Caron – Andrej Gorsky being the first President – after a series of lectures about “Money and ethics” ( Book references)

Jean-Pierre Caron, a graduate of HEC-Paris, was the co-founder of La NEF-ethical bank, in France, in the 1980s. He is now author and lecturer in several countries, senior advisor of the Institute for Social Banking (ISB - Berlin), and guest professor at KNUTE (Kiev National University for Trade and Economics)

The Foundation was forced to adapt to the conditions of war and changed its role, focusing on emergency aid for individuals, then on projects or organizations needing special support during this period.
After four years of existence, the Sophia Foundation, has been able to support 1,350 individuals (115 000€ in donations), and to provide aid (or loans) in response to 54 requests from institutions (support or specific projects), for a total of more than 300 000€.

We want to support projects (or institutions) that promote healthy social behavior and individual development in society through the conscious and ethical use of money.
We are also concerned with environmental issues and wholesome contact with nature.
Our objectives are to support “alternative” projects in education (e.g., art, Waldorf schools), inclusive education, integrative medicine and naturopathy, the social environment in general, assistance for people with disabilities (and now trauma therapy due to war), sustainable (“regenerative”) agriculture, as well as innovations or projects that have a social aspect and are supported by civil society or individuals.

During the war, the foundation had to adapt its role to this particular situation, but its objectives remain valid (see creation)

What do we finance ?
We want to finance organizations or news initiatives that have certain characteristics.
In short we finance: (see also Mission & objectives)
Projects that are carried in an altruistic (selfless) way
Projects that have a strong interest for the community (for our society)
Projects with a positive impact on nature
Projects that contribute to good and responsible education
Projects which can be profitable in the long term
Projects that fit to the personality of the bearer(s)

How do we work?
We pay attention much to the person(s) who bring (/carry) the project
We strive to make visits, have many discussions and spend time to give advices, if necessary, so that the project becomes mature
We distinguish between need for money from donations or for loan money
We eventually work on the business plan that is presented to us
We try to practice “ethical finance” (see also Book references)
We take all the decisions for gifts or loans after a collegial discussion in the Board 
We adapt interests rates to the nature of the project
We pay much attention to the question of guarantee (possibly with a community of people),
and ,if possible, of non-material guaranties (for loans)

During this period of war, we changed our role, helping also individually many people (emergency financial aid) (see Report for 2024), but our missionremains valid (see creation)

STUPENI SCHOOL (Odessa): Special assistance for security in times of war
Exceptional contribution: 6 600€ (donation) (in 2022)

Support for school activities and the ongoing costs of constructing an air-raid shelter – since now mandatory in order to accept children into the school.

COMMON PROJECT: Initiatives for solidarity in the context of the energy shortage"
 Donation – 8.500€

Due to frequent power blackouts, resulting from bombings a project was initiated, in 2023, to equip, for free, 6 "alternative" projects in education. Generators and inverters with batteries were purchased (in the Czech Republic), delivered and handed over.

“CONSONANCES” Center: A therapeutically musical experience for migrants
Donation : 720€ (2022) + 5 500€ in 2023

In 2022, as many migrants – especially from Mykolaev and Kherson – were moving to Odessa, a group of music and art teachers created the "Consonances" Center, to teach music to those children.   

NAIRI Publishing (Kiev) : Sustaining the publishing of new books
Donation (1850€) - then 3 years credit of   x0 000€

This Publisher needed help to recover from the difficulties of this 2022 period; -because of decrease in turn-over. This grant will help to continue the activities and finance, for example, the next book to appear. A donation has also been made in 2024.

POKUTTSKAYA Ceramics (Gorodenka):  Help for the acquisition of a new company
4 years credit of 15 000€

A possibility of acquisition was financed. This company produces ceramic items, but also decided, in its business model, to sustain Waldorf education in the city, through a monthly contribution.

GOOD  FOOD – Bakery (Kiev): Helping integrating handicapped young people
Donation : 485€

Partial assistance in installing the heating and air conditioning system for the premises of a social hub - a bakery and a center that works with young adults with developmental disabilities.
ASSOCIATION FOR BIODYNAMICS (in Ukraine):  Fostering sustainable agriculture
Donation : 5085€

Contribution to the implementation of educational and pedagogical activities, concerning “biodynamics” - a kind of ecological (/regenerative) agriculture.

VVVV   (city)    : Gift for development of permaculture

Donation: xxxxxxx€ (2025)
We financed the training for a farmer, already experienced, wanting to offer trainings in order to developpermaculture in the region.

Here you can download and read the fund's activity report for 2024.