Civil Society Leadership Programme for Ukraine 2026
Are you a leader of a formal civil society initiative or non-governmental organisation (NGO) based and active in Ukraine? Are you seeking to further develop your organisation, enhance your management skills, personal resilience, and network within the civil society sector? Then consider applying for a scholarship for the Civil Society Leadership Programme for Ukraine (CLPU).
The Civil Society Leadership Programme for Ukraine is a comprehensive capacity-building programme, taking place in Austria and online and designed to support and strengthen civil society organisations and their leaders in Ukraine. The programme is developed by NGO Academy, a joint initiative of ERSTE Foundation and the Vienna University of Economics and Business active in 15 European countries.
- Contents of the programme
- Manage resources efficiently (e.g. fundraising, human resources)
- Successfully manage organisational growth (e.g. governance, leadership, strategic management)
- Raise awareness for your organisation's mission with relevant communication techniques
- Develop strategies to enhance your own personal resilience
- Connect with like-minded professionals and organisations from various fields of activity in Ukraine
- Dive into civil society sector concepts
- General information
- Physical 10-day module in Vienna and in Payerbach,
Austria - 20 - 30 September 2026
- Training & discussion, field trips and peer-work to expand on a variety of non-profit management competencies
- Additional online modules: Individual online coaching sessions, webinars and meetings with renowned experts in Winter 2026
- Scholarship covering all costs including travel, accommodation, board and tuition
- Leaders of civil society organisations and NGOs based and active in Ukraine (see eligiblity criteria below)
Operating in a dynamic and strained civil society, Ukrainian civil society leaders face demands from many directions, requiring them to transform, grow and steer their organisations with high pace. Against this background, the CLPU aims to strengthen management and organising capabilities, personal resilience and expand networks within the Ukrainian civil society sector. By providing the time and space to learn, build new skills and facilitate dialogue with experts and peers, it will support you to build expertise and gain new perspectives on key organisational issues. Blending theory and practice, you will be offered insights from management research alongside inspiring practical examples and tested tools as well as be invited to reflect and apply the gained knowledge to your own organisation.
Part I
Payerbach, Austria
20 – 25 September 2026
Workshops
The programme starts outside of Vienna in the eastern edge of the Alps, to enable you to work and exchange in a retreat atmosphere with sessions on strategic management, governance, fundraising and more.
25 September: Transportation to Vienna and free day
Part II
Vienna, Austria
26 – 30 September 2026
Workshops and field trips
The second part of the 10-day module will take you to Vienna, covering topics like project management, monitoring, communication and more.
Part III
Online
October – December 2026
Individual online coaching sessions
Get expert feedback and advice from recognised academics and practitioners in up to two optional 1-on-1 sessions.
Part IV
Online
January 2027
Online wrap-up session
This final part of the programme is designed to provide a space for reflection, collaboration, and forward planning.
Content of the Programme
The first part of the module focuses on the organisation’s key resources. Starting from the possibilities of strategic orientation and questions of governance in the organisation, the focus will also be on the financial and human resources of the organisations themselves, but also on your personal resources, being exposed to particular pressures as NGO managers.
The second part focuses on various dimensions of organisational development with sessions on project development, communication and leadership in NGOs. Additionally, the schedule includes a day reserved for field trips to allow insights into the practical and successful implementation of selected projects.
Finally, the end of the module will give space for reflection on a personal and group level and include a joint outlook on the online coaching sessions.
The programme offers a balanced mix of theory and practice. In the proposed sessions you will receive both insights into research and explore different practical approaches and tools. The link between theory and practice is also reflected in the choice of lecturers, who are both academics and practitioners, and who provide comprehensive feedback to participants.
Faculty
Organisers
The faculty for this programme consists of renowned experts from research and practice, including:
Michael Meyer (WU Vienna)
Lisa Ringhofer (Triple Minds)
Mathias Haas (SuperSocial)
Georg Matuschkowitz (Coach & Consultant)
Yana Barinova (ERSTE Foundation)
Paul Rameder (WU Vienna)
Julia Rappich (Trainer)
Alina Nosenko (Coach & Consultant)
Yvonne Reif
WU Vienna
Programme Manager
Klara Lentz
WU Vienna
Programme Manager
Martin Mehrwald
WU Vienna
Programme Manager
Sarah Nichols
WU Vienna
Programme Manager
Peter Vandor
WU Vienna
Academic Director
Reinhard Millner
WU Vienna
Academic Director
"Everything was at the highest level. I am really grateful that the program was balanced and included not only a training block, but also recreation, socialization, networking and informal communication. That's why it's also 10 out of 10."
"It was an exceptional combination of learning, connecting with inspiring and like-minded people, and experiencing a true emotional reset. This is one of the best programs I have ever taken part in."