Democracy Upgraded launches new cooperation to strengthen transparency and democratic resilience in Ukraine

Democracy Upgraded, together with Center for Innovations Development (CID) in Ukraine and Transparency International Lithuania, has launched the project Capacity Building Upgraded – Sweden, Lithuania, Ukraine. The project runs from September 2026 to May 2027 and aims to lay the foundation for long-term cooperation on transparency, accountability, integrity and anti-corruption.

During the project, the partners will carry out a needs assessment with Ukrainian actors, identify relevant target groups, and co-develop a concept and framework for future capacity-building and exchange. The ambition is to create a model grounded in Ukrainian needs and experience that can form the basis for a larger implementation phase.

– We approach this cooperation with humility. We do not come with ready-made solutions; we want to listen, learn and co-create together with our Ukrainian partners. At the same time, Sweden has much to learn from Ukraine’s experience of democratic resilience, transparency and societal resilience under extreme pressure, says Ali Tabrizi, Executive Director of Democracy Upgraded.

The project will also promote exchange between Ukraine, Lithuania and Sweden and strengthen the conditions for continued cooperation linked to Ukraine’s reform agenda and EU integration.

This project is funded by the Swedish Institute.