Activities of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine
The profound political, economic, and social transformations that Ukraine embarked on following the events of 2014 were compounded after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 by severe humanitarian problems and threats to the country’s very existence and security. The ongoing Russian aggression compels Ukraine to simultaneously safeguard state security, stabilize democratic institutions, and continue its course toward European integration.
The project work of the Hanns Seidel Foundation supports these processes by strengthening the state’s capacity for effective action, societal resilience, and democratic governance under wartime conditions. Our activities are aimed at fostering political dialogue, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting the long-term prospects for Ukraine’s stable democratic development.
In this context, the Foundation’s work focuses on six strategic areas:
• European Integration and Political Dialogue
The project contributes to deepening the knowledge of Ukrainian opinion leaders (“multipliers”) in the fields of politics, public administration, academia, and civil society regarding the structures, values, and decision-making processes of the EU, as well as facilitating the exchange of information on the implementation of European norms and standards, particularly in public administration and reconstruction efforts. In this way, we contribute to strengthening institutional cooperation, European orientation, and dialogue at the national, regional, and pan-European levels.
• Building International Networks and Public Diplomacy
The Foundation supports the building and strengthening of reliable networks among state institutions, experts, and representatives of civil society in Ukraine and Europe. This makes it possible to combine expert knowledge in European and foreign policy and to deepen international dialogue on European integration, regional cooperation, and the democratic development of Ukraine.
• Democratic Governance During the War and in the Post-War Period
Russian aggression requires Ukraine to reconcile security priorities with the principles of democracy and the rule of law. The Foundation’s project work develops the concepts of “Defensive Democracy” and “Democratic Securitization” — the integration of security requirements into state processes without significantly weakening democratic oversight, the rule of law, and public participation.
• State Capacity and Civil-Military Cooperation
We support state institutions in strengthening governance effectiveness during wartime and in preparation for the post-conflict period. Particular attention is paid to cooperation between different levels of public administration, as well as collaboration between civilian and military actors in crisis response, resilience, and emergency preparedness. The close connection between state and civic structures is a defining feature of contemporary Ukrainian statehood.
• Information Resilience and Strategic Communication
A key objective is strengthening societal resilience against disinformation and hybrid threats. The project work helps improve understanding of the dynamics of modern communication and strengthens the ability of the state and society to counter manipulation.
Special attention is devoted to analyzing Russian disinformation campaigns and their impact on key security and social policy issues. In this regard, the analytical group on information resilience systematically assesses harmful narratives and their dissemination channels. Analytical contributions and fact-based information help the media, public authorities, and the public identify harmful narratives at an early stage and effectively counter them.
• Civic Education and Democratic Participation
The project promotes the development of political education and democratic competencies. Its main objective is to deepen understanding of democratic processes and the principles of responsible governance and active civic participation, thereby ensuring the long-term stability of Ukraine’s democratic structures. Particular attention is paid to promoting a modern administrative culture and strengthening the institutional anchoring of political education at the policy level.
Office of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Ukraine
2 Zolotovoritska St., Office 7
01054 Kyiv, Ukraine
Tel.: +38 (044) 279-85-94
+38 (044) 270-12-72 / 73 / 74
E-mail: ukraine@hss.de
Website: http://hss.kyiv.ua
Head: Benjamin Bobbe, Head of the Central and Eastern Europe Division, Hanns Seidel Foundation