We design and conduct evaluations that meet international DAC and impact standards assessing effectiveness, value for money, and inclusion across humanitarian and development programs.

Strategic reviews

Open Space Works Ukraine conducts Conflict-Sensitive Strategic Reviews to provide comprehensive, real-time assessments of humanitarian and emergency interventions. This service evaluates a program's efficiency, relevance, impact, and sustainability , particularly for initiatives operating in high-risk areas, such as volunteer insurance programs or direct emergency actions. The primary value of these reviews is to assess program impact and sustainability, equipping clients with the evidence needed to "guide strategic adjustments and future funding decisions" for the ongoing war response

Organisation Assessment

This service designed to evaluate the internal capabilities and effectiveness of partner organisations, such as leading civil society organisations. This involves a comprehensive analysis of the policies, procedures, practices, and training and development needs within an organisation. The primary value of this service is to review the outcomes of organisational development programs, assess. organisational capacity, and deliver targeted recommendations for improvement.

Project Evaluation

Our Project Evaluation service involves designing and conducting external evaluations of humanitarian and development programs. These evaluations rigorously adhere to international standards, particularly the OECD DAC criteria (assessing relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability) , while also focusing on value for money and inclusion. The process is designed to assess a project's outcomes and short-term impact, as well as its implementation strengths and weaknesses. The primary value of this service is to "generate actionable learning" for clients and their partners, providing clear insights into a program's performance and identifying concrete "areas for improvement"

We deliver high-quality research across our core domains of expertise, including resilience analysis, stakeholder and systems mapping, feasibility and conflict studies, gender analysis, and user-experience research with specific groups.

Stakeholder Mapping

We provide clients with a comprehensive analysis and strategic map to navigate complex environments. This service identifies key actors within a specific field — such as CSOs, government bodies, or specialised think tanks —and analyses their institutional capacity, influence, relationships , funding challenges, and overall role within the ecosystem. The primary value of this service is equipping clients with strategic insights and a clear overview that enables effective engagement, partnership-building , and the ability to strategically identify partners and channel support to local organizations

Resilience Analysis

Resilience Analysis is a specialised thematic research service designed to understand and evaluate the strength of communities in war-affected regions. This service assesses the specific "resilience mechanisms and coping strategies" of vulnerable groups, such as older people , while also identifying broader "local risks and capacities" within heavily impacted areas. 
The primary value of this analysis is providing partners with a critical evidence-base and actionable recommendations that directly inform the design of more effective, targeted, and inclusive recovery projects , such as Transitional Development Assistance (TDA) programs or age-inclusive humanitarian aid that strengthens community self-reliance

Feasibility Study

This service is a specialised type of thematic research designed to gather "critical data" for planning long-term, post-war recovery, especially in "de-occupied and heavily damaged territories". These studies assess specific needs, such as those of IDPs , with the aim of fostering social cohesion, driving economic revitalization, and supporting community-led development. 
The primary value of this service is providing clients with essential "evidence for reconstruction" that results in "actionable recovery plans and investment opportunities"

Perception studies

As a specialised form of thematic research, Open Space Works Ukraine's Perception Studies are designed to explore the perceptions and experiences of aid recipients, refugees, and other war-affected populations. These studies, which often utilise a User Journey methodology , gather direct, qualitative insights into how communities view the humanitarian assistance they receive. 
The primary value of this service is providing continuous feedback and actionable recommendations that allow clients to "inform and improve" their programs , enable adaptive programming in volatile environments , and ensure interventions are strengthened in alignment with community feedback.

User Journey

The User Journey is a qualitative research methodology that Open Space Works Ukraine employs to map and understand the "perceptions and experiences" of aid recipients, such as refugees or those receiving cash assistance. This approach, which is often part of a perception study, involves creating "user journey narratives" to capture how people interact with and perceive humanitarian programs from start to finish.
The primary value of this service is generating "continuous feedback" directly from affected communities, which provides "actionable recommendations" that allow clients to enable "adaptive" programming and strengthen their interventions "in alignment with community feedback".

We facilitate participatory spaces – from Open Space and Future Search conferences to podcasts and DevDrinks professional dialogues – helping partners co-create strategies, build trust, and influence change.