«Establishment of an academic lyceum in a community: how to avoid typical mistakes and lay a solid foundation for success?» Communities sometimes view senior secondary school reform as an organisational or legal task: to change the type of institution, pass a council resolution, or update the charter. However, an academic lyceum is not the result of a formal council resolution, but an outcome of strategic, staffing, and financial decisions made by the founder, upon which the

‘We must believe in this ourselves – and inspire children by our example,’ says Iryna Baibuza, Deputy Principal of the Reshetylivka Lyceum and Coordinator of the Career Guidance Programme, and these words summarise the transformation of career guidance in Reshetylivska community. The example of Reshetylivka shows how chaotic field trips and scattered initiatives can grow into a coherent, inspiring career guidance system that transforms both children and adults. The community

On 12 March, a round-table discussion titled ‘Implementation of the Law on Vocational Education: Legislative and Property Aspects’ was held in Poltava, focusing on practical steps for implementing the new legislation. The event was organised by the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) in collaboration with DECIDE Project and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, with the support of the Poltava Regional State Administration and the Poltav

What will secondary education in Ternopil region look like? How can a system be built that offers students real choice? And how can these changes be implemented in practice, taking into account the specific characteristics of each community? DECIDE Project experts — Ihor Melnychuk, Petro Hotsaliuk, and Khrystyna Duda — discussed the practical steps involved in these changes during a series of visits to the Ternopil City Council, Zborivska, Vyshnivetska communities, and Zbaraz

The Memorandum provides for a broad partnership framework until 2030 within the framework of DECIDE Phase 2. The document lays the foundation for long-term, systematic cooperation aimed to comprehensively develop education at the regional level by strengthening the capacity of local governments to implement reforms in education. The partnership provides for: support for the reform of vocational education, including expert guidance on the transfer of institutional assets from

2 March, a workshop entitled ‘Reform of Specialised Senior Secondary Schools: Opportunities and Challenges for the Community’ was held in Poltava. The event was part of a training programme for heads of regional education departments. The programme ran from 17 February and brought together heads of education authorities from 57 communities. The key speakers at the event were: Nadiia Kuzmychova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Pr

Which schools will continue to operate as lyceums, and which will remain as gymnasiums? What academic profiles will be available to pupils, and how can these best be implemented depending on pupils’ needs and the capabilities of the schools? How can effective communication be established with parents and local councillors? These and many other questions were discussed during consultative meetings of DECIDE Project’s expert team, organised by the Kyiv Regional State Administra

In Lviv region, career guidance means more than formal tests in the school psychologist’s office or talks about careers in the assembly hall. It is a comprehensive system where vocational education is modernised, becoming trendy and attractive. Here, forums are organised for several thousand people, attended by vocational schools, businesses, communities, teenagers and their role models. Schoolchildren visit businesses, and vocational colleges organise summer camps for the yo

The final workshop ‘Reform of Specialised Senior Secondary Schools: Opportunities and Challenges for the Community’ was held on 11 March in Poltava. The event was organised by DECIDE in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Poltava Regional State Administration and the Poltava Regional Council. The workshop marked the completion of a training course that ran from 18 February and brought together 28 communities in Poltava region, along with the

In 2020, Poltava region was selected as a pilot region for the implementation of the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project. That is where a systematic partnership began between communities, the regional authorities and the Project's expert team, with the aim of developing modern, accessible, and high-quality education. Today, this collaboration continues within Project Phase 2, running until 2030, and is opening up new opportunities for the development of education in the communitie

This was the focus of an open event held in Boryslavska community in Lviv region, which brought together experts from DECIDE, educators, school leaders, parents and community activists. Our team of experts – Maryna Zamfir, Zenovii Siryk and Tetiana Tsiupra – explained the key concept behind the creation of a specialised secondary school. During the discussion, the experts noted the high standard of the educational network in Boryslavska community. Plans are in place to establ

Healthy nutrition affects more than just the physical health of children and teenagers. A balanced diet helps them maintain their energy throughout the day, supports their concentration and emotional well-being, and fosters habits that last a lifetime. It helps them learn, play, and explore the world! Ukraine is undergoing a school nutrition reform, initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska. It is important that these changes are supported not only by the state, but also by comm

On 24–25 February 2026, DECIDE Project team conducted a study visit to Kiliiska community. Kiliiska community has been a partner of DECIDE since 2021. During this time, thanks to expert, methodological, and organisational support, the community has successfully implemented a number of important decisions for the development of its education sector. The DECIDE team, represented by Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager; Yuliia Molchanova, DECIDE Coordinator of Component 2

A chocolate fountain next to a virtual welding machine, a lorry simulator and a homemade modern tractor simulator – this does not describe an innovation exhibition, but rather everyday life at the career guidance hub in Reshetylivka in Poltava region. The message here is clear: vocational education is no longer a ‘backup option’ but is about high technology, decent wages and a conscious choice of career path. Today, there are already ten such hubs operating in six regions of

In February, heads of education authorities and their deputies from communities in Chernihiv region underwent a special professional development programme entitled ‘Reform of Specialised Senior Secondary School’. The training lasted from 17 to 24 February in a remote format, and on 27 February, an in-person seminar and workshop was held in Chernihiv, bringing together community representatives, experts, and regional authorities for an open professional discussion on the futur

A workshop on ‘Reform of specialised senior secondary schools: opportunities and challenges for the community’ was held in Chernihiv on 26 February as the final part of a professional development course that began on 18 February. The event was attended by 43 community leaders from Chernihiv region and their deputies. The implementation of specialised secondary education reform, with a focus on the region’s specific characteristics, was discussed with: Nadiia Kuzmychova, Deput

Helmiazivska, Selyshchenska, Zvenyhorodska, and Irkliivska communities. The team also held nine online consultations for communities in the region. At present, DECIDE experts provide consultation support to 29 communities in Cherkasy region, which is almost half of all communities in the region. The discussions focused on the issues most important to parents and teachers: Will current ninth-graders be able to continue their education at their current school? What will happen

The Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project and the Chernihiv Regional State Administration have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation until 2030 – a document that opens up new opportunities for the restoration and development of education in the communities of Chernihiv region and the region as a whole. Chernihiv region is one of those where the war left a particularly deep imprint. Destroyed schools, lost infrastructure, long months of anxiety and threats. For three years, DECIDE worke

For decades, a stereotype prevailed in Ukraine: a successful future is only possible with a university degree. However, the reality of the labour market is often different. In Brovary, officials decided to speak openly about the imbalance: while the employment centre is looking for builders and cooks, people with higher education who cannot find work in their field are turning to them for help. Today, Brovarska community, in collaboration with the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Proje

The partnership with Odesa region began in 2020. Over more than five years of cooperation, more than 80 communities in the region have joined the Project’s activities. The focus of the next five years of joint work will continue to be the development of education and local self-government. The Memorandum provides for an expanded framework for cooperation in key areas, including support for: the implementation of specialised secondary school reform with regard to the formation