LSE IDEAS, Education for Victory and CRH launch 2026 Educational Programme to Support Ukraine’s Recovery

LSE IDEAS, the LSE’s foreign policy and strategy think tank, together with the Ukrainian non-profit organisation Education for Victory, and global building materials provider CRH, have united their efforts to strengthen leadership, institutional capacity, and strategic thinking for Ukraine’s future through the capacity-building programme “Education for Victory” in 2026. 

Through this initiative, the partners commit to:

• Enabling Ukrainian experts, policymakers, military personnel, and civil servants to participate in an advanced programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science, gaining access to leading global expertise and methodologies.
• Establishing a joint Faculty and Research Track, bringing together experts from the LSE and Ukraine to study resilience, governance, and reconstruction in a changing world.
• Facilitating academic exchange and teaching opportunities abroad, where Ukrainian fellows and graduates of the Education for Victory Programme contribute to international research and learning.

By strengthening the expertise of Ukrainian policymakers, military officers, civil society leaders, and local government representatives, the programme contributes to building a resilient, informed, and globally connected leadership — one that can effectively guide Ukraine’s transformation and recovery.

Commenting on the Education for Victory Programme, Christopher Alden, Director of LSE IDEAS, said,

“The partnership between LSE IDEAS, Education for Victory and CRH reflects our collective belief that progress begins with understanding, and that education remains the most powerful instrument of diplomacy and peace. Together, we commit to building institutions that endure, knowledge that empowers, and leadership that unites.”

Oleksii Mushak, CFounder, Education for Victory, said, 

“For Ukraine, this initiative is about much more than post-war reconstruction — it is about preparing a generation capable of building a modern, globally connected state. For our partners, it is a contribution to Europe’s shared future — based on trust, innovation, and solidarity. Together, we are proving that strategic cooperation between the academic, public, and private sectors can become a true engine of sustainable change.”

As the world’s leading global provider of building materials, CRH has been operating and investing in Ukraine for 26 years.  Commenting on its support for the programme, Guillaume Cavalier, President, Central & Eastern Europe, CRH, said, 

“As a long-term partner to Ukraine, we remain committed to supporting the reconstruction and recovery of this great nation, building resilient communities and sustainable infrastructure.

We believe that Ukraine’s recovery requires a collaborative approach, underpinned by strong institutions and education. That is why we are proud to support the Education for Victory Programme, working in partnership with LSE IDEAS and Education for Victory to foster innovation, shared expertise and learning – standing together to support a sustainable future for Ukraine.”

At the core of this collaboration lies the development and support of the Ukrainian Hub at the LSE and Education for Victory Programme — a platform designed to foster research, policy dialogue, and the exchange of strategic expertise. The Hub will serve as a meeting point for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, transforming education into leadership and ideas into action.

Applications for the programme are now open and will close on 31 January 2026. For more information and to apply for the programme visit www.educationforvictory.com.

About the Partners

LSE IDEAS

Through sustained engagement with policymakers and opinion-formers, IDEAS provides a forum that informs policy debate and connects academic research with the practice of diplomacy and strategy.

IDEAS hosts interdisciplinary research projects, produces working papers and reports, holds public and off-the-record events, and delivers cutting-edge executive training programmes for government, business and third-sector organisations.

Education for Victory

The “Education for Victory” program was created in partnership with LSE IDEAS, the foreign policy think tank of the London School of Economics and Political Science, is supported by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF). The course enables representatives of Ukraine’s national and local governments involved in post-war planning to quickly acquire the knowledge and expertise necessary for effective international positioning, while continuing to fulfil their professional duties.

Partisans of the program are and will be making key decisions and contributing to Ukraine resilience. Collaboration with one of the world’s leading universities opens new opportunities to scale up international educational initiatives nationwide. 

CRH plc (NYSE: CRH) is the leading provider of building materials solutions that build, connect, and improve our world. Employing 80,000 people across more than 3,800 operating locations in 28 countries, CRH holds market leadership positions in North America and Europe. As an essential partner for transportation and critical infrastructure projects, complex non-residential construction, and outdoor living solutions, CRH’s unique offering of materials, products, and value-added services helps deliver a more resilient and sustainable built environment. The company is ranked among sector leaders by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) rating agencies. A Fortune Global 500 company, CRH’s shares are listed on the NYSE and LSE.