The Cedos research and analysis department is conducting an external interim evaluation of the programme supporting educational reforms in Ukraine, “Schools for Democracy: Strengthening Democratic Resilience through Education” (2024–2027). The Schools for Democracy Programme is implemented by the European Wergeland Centre (EWC) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, with support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The goal of the Cedos study is to assess how the current phase of the programme is functioning amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Specifically, the study will examine the extent to which the programme meets the needs of the Ukrainian education system, what results it has already achieved, and what changes could make it more effective.

Our theory-of-change-based approach will allow us to evaluate the results of the “Schools for Democracy” programme, track which mechanisms drive change, and assess how the war’s context affects them. For this purpose, the Cedos team will:

  • analyze the programme’s documents and data;
  • conduct interviews with representatives of the European Wergeland Centre and partner organizations in Ukraine, heads of educational institutions, programme trainers, and representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine;
  • will hold focus group discussions with teachers, educators, students, and young people who participated in the programme.

Previously, the Cedos team researched the results of the “Schools for Democracy” programme for 2017–2021. The current evaluation will allow us to track its further development and contribution to the transformation of Ukrainian education.

For Cedos, this is an opportunity to continue our work in the field of education and to understand the impact the ‘Schools for Democracy’ programme has on the Ukrainian education system under current conditions. We hope that the evaluation results will help not only improve the programme itself and better adapt it to the needs of Ukrainian schools, but also build knowledge about which approaches work to support education during wartime. This experience may also be useful for the development and implementation of other educational programmes in Ukraine.

Alina Khelashvili, head of the research and analysis department at Cedos.

About The Schools for Democracy Programme

The programme’s goal is to promote democratic reforms in Ukraine’s education system. “Schools for Democracy” trainers conduct training sessions for teachers, school principals, education experts, early childhood educators, and young people. The trainings focus on democratic teaching methods, the development of critical thinking, and combating discrimination, hate speech, fake news, and disinformation. The programme also encourages young people to become more actively involved in school and community life and supports youth projects aimed at community recovery.

Since 2015, more than 400 schools and preschools have participated in the programme, and over 170,000 teachers have completed the training. Plans for 2024–2027 include supporting 60 schools, 30 preschools, and 30 youth centers in Ukraine, as well as 40 schools in Moldova.

Photo: The European Wergeland Centre (EWC).