The Policy Workshop is a civil society organization operating at the intersection of the educational and military sectors. We aim to ensure that Ukrainian education and science strengthen the Ukrainian military – and that the military receives powerful and effective training.
Science for Defense
In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science, we are working to create Centers of Excellence at Ukrainian universities, which will become centers of innovation, where they will train specialists, develop new defense technologies, and integrate science into the security sector.
About us
Policy Workshop is a team of like-minded individuals who believe that knowledge can change the course of history. We work at the intersection of education, science, and defense to bring victory closer and to build the Ukraine of the future today.
In times of full-scale war, we adapt educational and scientific policy to the needs of security and defense. We strive to ensure that the Ukrainian military is well-trained, while education and science actively contribute to strengthening it. At the same time, we take a long-term view. Our focus is on strategic solutions that will make knowledge a key factor in the country’s recovery, development, and resilience.
What we do
We provide a full cycle of public policy development:
Problem analysis
– we study how education and science can respond more effectively to wartime challenges.
Implementation
– we help bring solutions to life by cooperating with government bodies, military institutions, universities, and think tanks.
Policy Design
– we develop realistic, strategic, and evidence-based policy proposals.
Our vision
We are convinced that winning this war requires not only weapons and strategy, but also knowledge, critical thinking, and well-thought-out institutional solutions.
Policy Workshop is a space where knowledge serves defense and education builds the future.
Science for Defense
In partnership with:
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Ministry of Digital Transformation, Brave1, and Members of Parliament of Ukraine.
Goal:
Together with the Ministry of Education and Science, we are working to establish Centers of Excellence at Ukrainian universities. These centers will become hubs of innovation – training specialists, developing new defense technologies, and integrating science into the security sector.
Problems
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A critical shortage of professionals in military technologies.
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Declining interest in engineering and science-related fields among youth.
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Insufficient conditions for modern research in the defense sector.
What we do
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Initiate the creation of Centers of Excellence at universities.
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Engage instructors with practical defense experience and provide modern equipment.
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Build partnerships with Ukrainian and international defense institutions.
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Develop strategies for student engagement: scholarships, internships, employment opportunities.
Results
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Pilot phase of the Centers model launched.
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Expert community created and key public and private partners engaged.
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Policy Workshop provides analytical support, methodology, and coordinates cross-sector collaboration.
Reform of the "Defense of Ukraine" course
In partnership with:
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, military units, leading NGOs, and educational institutions.
Goal:
Together with the Ministry of Education and Science, we are helping transform the high school course "Defense of Ukrain" from a formal pre-conscription subject into a true course of civic, defense, and medical training for all senior students.
Problems
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41% of schools lacked proper material infrastructure.
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Courses often taught by unqualified or unmotivated teachers.
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The curriculum was outdated and gender-segregated.
What we do
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Participated in the development of a new curriculum focused on practice, equity, and relevance.
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Helped introduce the format of "Centers" – spaces in schools for integrated training.
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Developed and are implementing a teacher upskilling system based on new modules.
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Coordinate interaction among the Ministry of Education, trainers, schools, and NGOs.
Results
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963 teaching Centers created across Ukraine (excluding temporarily occupied territories).
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120 trainers prepared, most of whom are already working in the teacher training system.
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The government allocated UAH 1.6 billion for reform implementation.
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Policy Workshop supports the reform – from curriculum development to methodological assistance for schools and teachers.