Open University of Reforms (OUR) is an educational project for young people who want to learn more about reforms and join them.

OUR is a 3 months of lectures in Kyiv, covering most of the reforms that are implemented at the time of study, and practical knowledge of current changes. The first enrollment to the Open University of Reforms was held in 2015. Since then, OUR enrolls students twice a year. 

OUR also offers internships in NGOs and the implementation of their own reform projects by participants. OUR speakers are leading experts with considerable experience in implementing change: experts from the RPR and CEDEM, members of NGOs, MPs, ministers, and representatives of public authorities. Part of the lessons focuses on developing skills that are important for future reformers – strategy, critical thinking, leadership, advocacy, public speaking.

During the internships in NGOs, OUR students have the opportunity to practically join in the implementation of a particular reform, to acquire new knowledge and skills and to learn more about work in the public sector. During the years of work on the project, we have seen that after graduating from the Open University of Reforms, students get a chance to be employed by NGOs. 

Working on reform projects allows finding creative approaches to solving current problems. Since the sixth OUR enrollment, students have successfully implemented 20 projects.

Each OUR enrollment is preceded by a major competition proving that the topic of reforms in Ukraine is relevant for young people. More than 400 students and noncredit students have graduated from OUR. Many of them today work in the public sector, public authorities, international projects and organizations.

OUR is implemented by the Center for Democracy and the Rule of Law. This project was made possible by the financial support of Sweden.