This research examines a unique citizen-soldier phenomenon and civil society’s role in shaping Ukraine’s security and defence sector using 12 practical organizations examples.
Ukraine is fighting not only with its army. It is fighting with intellect, networks of trust, the decision-making speed, and the citizen’s courage to take responsibility where the state is unable.
The study examines the civic defence sector formation and evolution. The Ukrainian experience reveals a new logic of change: security is built from the bottom up — through expertise, speed of iterations, and horizontal interaction.
Using the 12 selected organisations, the authors outline civil society’s modus operandi, map these mechanisms, and the organisations in-depth expertise. The study focuses on organisations that promote reforms, produce applied analysis, and conduct international advocacy in wartime conditions. This list is not exhaustive and serves as a representative basis for capturing key types of expertise, institutional trajectories, and civil society influence in the defence sphere models: BRDO, CACDS, Center for Defence Strategies, Frontier Institute, Frontline Reforms, NAKO, New Geopolitics Research Network, Price of Freedom, Pryncyp, Sahaidachnyi Security Center, Snake Island Institute, StateWatch.
This report is produced by Sahaidachnyi Security Center with the Askold and Dir Fund support as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine – a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Sahaidachnyi Security Center and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.
Authors: Kateryna Barysheva, Yurii Buhai, Polina Istomina
Content Editor: Lesia Ogryzko