Strengthening Ukraine’s Democracy through Education During the War: Second Mid-Term Evaluation of the European Wergeland Centre’s Schools for Democracy Programme

Abstract

The mid-term evaluation shows that the Schools for Democracy programme has been able to achieve its objectives, despite the dramatic change in working conditions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The programme has demonstrated its relevance and effectiveness through flexible decision-making, remaining closely linked to Ukraine's reform policies. Despite the full-scale invasion, most planned activities were implemented. Key recommendations include clarifying the geographical component in the programme's objectives; contextualizing the results with general statistical data; maintaining the research component in the programme's goals and objectives; expanding the program for out-of-school education, vocational training, and work with students at pedagogical universities in Ukraine; and placing a stronger focus on strengthening learning communities and educators.