Civic Education
Education – in particular, civic education – is a linchpin to building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable democracies. Through its global Strengthening Engagement through Education for Democracy (SEED) methodology, IFES offers a contemporary, interactive approach to civic education for thousands of university and college students throughout Ukraine. These courses were developed with Ukrainian civil society and academia and are complemented by informal offerings to those outside of the formal educational system.
To date, over 20,000 students have completed IFES’ semester-long, civic education courses in Ukraine. Through the courses, students learn about democratic citizenship and experience it in the classroom through student-centered teaching methodologies that deepen knowledge and skills essential to democratic citizenship in the digital age.
Program Highlights
ADVANCING CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH UNIVERSITIES
IFES’ university-led civic education course, “Democracy: From Theory to Practice,” is offered at 55 universities in 22 oblasts in Ukraine and is being taught by more than 140 university-level educators.
IFES’ university-led civic education course, “Democracy: From Theory to Practice,” is offered at 50 universities in 19 oblasts in Ukraine and is being taught by more than 115 university-level educators.
ADVANCING CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH VOCATIONAL COLLEGES
IFES and the Ministry of Education and Science are piloting a civic education course for vocational colleges named, “Democracy: Ideas in Action” To date, the course is offered at 35 colleges and growing.
CIVIC EDUCATION FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS
IFES and Fight for Right developed an inclusive, accessible, interactive online civic education course that focuses on disability rights for Ukrainians outside formal education structures. The course will be fully accessible for learners with disabilities and will include in-person activities with civil society organizations.
EXTRACURRICULAR CIVIC EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT
Parallel to civic education courses, IFES hosts annual, national competitions for young civic leaders throughout Ukraine; shares interactive online games on democratic citizenship and anti-corruption; and, offers internships for young people to experience working with Ukraine’s Central Election Commission and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention.
SUSTAINABLE CIVIC EDUCATION
IFES ensures sustainability of its civic education initiatives in Ukraine by building partnerships and supporting establishment of civil society organizations. In 2019, the university course alumni founded the NGO called the Youth Democratic Association, or YODA. The organization promotes democratic principles and ideas and protects human rights and freedoms through youth-targeted public engagement and education activities. The university course professors established NGO Civic Educators` Association in 2022. It is a strong community of educators who promote civic education in Ukraine in wartime and peace.
