The All-Ukrainian Association of Communities and the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project, which is implemented by DOCCU and Zurich University of Teacher Education – International, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. This document outlines the strategic direction of joint activities within the framework of the DECIDE Project. The Memorandum provides for: coordination of the parties’ efforts in implementing approaches aimed to support decentralisation processes; coordination of

Koropska community in Chernihiv region is situated in a high-risk area due to its proximity to the russian border. The people here understand that ensuring the safety of children is the number one priority. The story of the renovation of the bomb shelter at Atiushivska school demonstrates how community perseverance, cooperation with international partners and student activism can transform a gloomy bomb shelter into a modern educational space in a village. ‘The school, which

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted the relevant resolution on the distribution of subsidies. This refers to support for the New Ukrainian School reform, which will enable comprehensive modernisation of the educational infrastructure and environment. The majority of the funding – UAH 1.3 billion – is allocated to modernising the material and technical base of educational institutions: purchasing modern computer and multimedia equipment, equipment for natural science c

On 10–11 February, the final on-site seminar-workshop ‘Implementation of Specialised Secondary Education Reform: Regional Policy’ was held for heads of education departments and administrations from 20 regions across Ukraine. The second day of the training was devoted to the practical aspects of implementing the new Law of Ukraine ‘On Vocational Education’. Speakers at the event: Dmytro Zavhorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; Valentyna Poltorak, DECI

On 10-11 February, DECIDE Project, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, held a final workshop entitled ‘Implementation of Specialised Secondary Education Reform: Regional Policy’ for heads of regional departments and administrations of education and science from 20 regions in Lviv! The key speakers were: Nadiia Kuzmychova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; Dmytro Zavhorodnii, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukrai

In 2026, the Government updated the rules for granting subsidies to modernise school kitchen units and canteens. The state budget allocated UAH 1 billion for this purpose. From the moment the Resolution is published, communities will be able to submit applications for the modernisation of school kitchen units and canteens. There are three ways to organise meals: ‘basic kitchen’, ‘hub kitchen’ and ‘factory kitchen’. This model allows communities to choose a solution that is ri

One building of Chernihiv Gymnasium No. 13 was built in 1952, and the other in 1985. ‘Since then, the equipment in the kitchen unit has not been modernised. Cosmetic repairs were carried out, but over time the condition of the premises only deteriorated. The kitchen unit needed a major overhaul: replacement of outdated equipment and communications, ventilation, walls, ceilings, and tiles that no longer met modern standards. It was also necessary to replace non-functional tech

Our team of experts – Yurii Orel, Olena Hulenko and Alla Bondar – held public discussions with communities in Kyiv region: Boryspilska, Tarashchanska, Myronivska, and Prystolychna communities, as well as in Cherkasy region: Korsun-Shevchenkivska, Horodyshchenska, Steblivska, Nabutivska, Mliivska, and Stepanetska communities. At the same time, the second expert team – Yana Brusentsova, Olha Khomenko and Olena Stepko – held meetings with communities in Kharkiv region: Malodanyl

On 3 February 2026, a Forum on Supporting the Network of Inclusive Resource Centres (IRCs) was held in Kyiv. The event was organised by the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the All-Ukrainian Association of Amalgamated Territorial Communities. The Forum brought together DECIDE project experts, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, academics, heads of inclusive education support resource

«‘We develop communities through education.’ How DECIDE is changing Ukraine from within» ‘Decentralisation for Improved Democratic Education’ (DECIDE) is an international project that supports reforms in Ukraine and is deeply embedded within them. For over five years, the Project has been working with communities, helping them to make educational decisions at the local level, establish a new senior school, develop a career guidance system, and implement tools for local democr

Since March 2025, Project experts have provided consulting support to more than 500 communities across Ukraine. In December 2025, our team of experts – Yurii Orel, Alla Bondar, and Olena Hulenko – held a series of consultations in seven communities in Zhytomyr region: Berdychivska, Andrushivska, Korostenska, Malynska, Korostyshivska, Brusylivska, and Chopovytska communities. They also visited three communities in Kyiv region: Dmytrivska, Borshchahivska, and Hostomelska. Repre

«Allocation of a subsidy for the implementation of projects under the ‘Ukraine Recovery Programme III’ in 2026. Analysis of the Government’s Resolution» The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the allocation of a subsidy in 2026 for the implementation of projects under the ‘Ukraine Recovery Programme III’ (Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Order No. 52-r dated 21 January 2026). The projects in the public utilities sector are implemented with a loan from the European I

How to properly model a network of specialised secondary education institutions? How to take into account demographic challenges and, at the same time, the financial capacity of the community to maintain educational institutions? Nowadays, the head of the educational authorities of the community faces numerous management challenges that must be overcome in order for a network of academic lyceums to start operating in Ivano-Frankivsk region in 2027. On 21 January, Ivano-Franki

The reform of specialised secondary education is one of the most pressing issues for communities that are planning to set up academic lyceums. The planned changes will be implemented very soon, so thorough and timely preparation is essential for communities that want to form a network of institutions where children will receive a quality education and be able to determine their future professional goals. This was the topic of the DECIDE project course ‘Reform of Senior Specia

Four teams of DECIDE experts continue their systematic work with communities on the key stages of the reform: the transition to specialised high secondary schools and the formation of individual educational trajectories for students. Since March 2025, over 209 face-to-face meetings and 260 online consultations have been held. These meetings have been attended by almost 8,700 people from 469 communities in 22 regions of Ukraine. Recently, the team of DECIDE experts held a publ

«Salary increases for teaching staff. Is there funding for this in the budget for 2026» 1. Education in State Budget–2026 State budget of Ukraine for 2026 allocates UAH 278.7 billion for education expenditure, whereas in 2025 the corresponding figure amounted to UAH 198.9 billion. This means that funding for the education sector has increased by UAH 79.8 billion, representing a 40% year-on-year increase. The main factor behind this growth is expenditure on the salaries of tea

«Forming profiles at the community’s academic lyceum. What mistakes are important to avoid?» The aim of reforming specialised secondary education is to improve the quality of education and enable students to choose a specialisation that matches their interests and future plans. Therefore, specialisation should not be viewed simply as an organisational or personnel decision, but as a means of ensuring children have access to high-quality specialised secondary education. The fo

The culinary career guidance hub was created by DECIDE Project in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kyiv Regional State Administration, and Vasylkiv Vocational College. ‘In our region, chefs, pastry chefs and cooks are in high demand. Companies located in our region have placed orders with the Employment Centre,’ says Liudmila Postolenko, principal of the Vasylkiv Professional College. Today, the Vasylkiv City Council is introducing teenagers

Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson regions, providing comprehensive expert support and practical advice on the implementation of the reform. The war has created additional challenges for these communities: educational institutions have been destroyed or significantly damaged, school buses have been destroyed, and there are no safe roads. The educational process must be organised in bomb shelters. A significant proportion of children and adolescents are studying re

We have finished renovating the educational space at Zlatopilska community in Kharkiv region. Now, children and teenagers can catch up on their studies, take part in extracurricular activities and make new friends! Kharkiv region lives every day to the sound of alarms. But even in these conditions, children have the right to see each other, sit at their desks, ask their teachers questions and experience school life — not just online. To achieve this, we worked with the Zlatop