The role of Ukrainian civil society in the security and defense sector is often underestimated. However, as in other areas of public policy, civil society has consistently acted as a driver of change—frequently stepping in to perform functions traditionally associated with the state. The defense sector is no exception. Since the onset of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2014, and especially following the full-scale invasion in 2022, numerous charities, NGOs, and think tanks have emerged to support the country’s defense efforts.
This brief highlights several cases that illustrate how Ukrainian non-governmental organizations are actively contributing to both frontline support and broader national defense and argues that international financing should be significantly increased.
Authors: Polina Istomina, Lesia Ogryzko, Anastasiia Haievska
Content editors: Lesia Ogryzko, Luca Girodon