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Services We Provide
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"
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".
Open Space Technology
Open Space Technology is a large-group facilitation method used by our team as a Stakeholder Dialogue & Advocacy service for many years. The OSWU team includes trained and certified Open Space Technology facilitators who have been practicing this technology in Ukraine for over 15 years. It is a participatory approach used to design and facilitate multi-stakeholder events, such as learning and sharing workshops or conferences. The primary value of this methods is to leverage this deep expertise to create a dynamic space that brings diverse groups together—including CSOs, local authorities, and the public —to co-create strategies, build trust, and influence change on complex topics like post-war recovery or public-government cooperation.
Future Search
Future Search is a participatory strategic planning method used by Open Space Works Ukraine as part of its "Stakeholder Dialogue & Advocacy" service. The OSWU team includes facilitators who are certified by the method's founders and have been practicing this method for over 10 years. This large-group conference format is designed to bring diverse stakeholders together for participatory strategic planning on complex topics, such as the future of the veterans' movement in Ukraine.
The primary value of this service is to leverage this deep, long-standing expertise to help partners co-create strategies, build trust, and influence change by facilitating a structured process where participants find common ground and develop shared action plans for the future.
DevDrinks
DevDrinks is a professional dialogue and informal networking event hosted by Open Space Works Ukraine. These monthly-based meetings are designed to bring together a diverse community of professionals—including consultants, researchers, and specialists from the humanitarian, development, security, government, and international sectors—in a relaxed bar setting.
The primary value of DevDrinks is to foster connections that go beyond formal reports, allowing participants to network informally, discover new job opportunities or team members, gain unique insights not found on professional platforms, and relax in a community of like-minded colleagues. The events often incorporate a social mission, such as fundraising for important causes, and serve as an exclusive platform for presenting new analytical reports and research from OSWU and its partners.
Our Partners' Feedback
OSWU were selected amongst a pool of candidates in Ukraine due to their excellent technical expertise in research and experience of the humanitarian sector in Ukraine. HPG are extremely happy with our decision and OSWU have far exceeded our expectations. They have excellent technical proficiency, have been outstanding collaborators with our own staff and worked efficiently in line with demanding timelines. They have a strong network in Ukraine which they have leveraged well to support our research, its dissemination and policy engagement. They consistently exceeded our requirements to enhance the performance of the project. Overall, HPG would highly recommend OSWU as a qualitative research partner and we hope to collaborate with them in the future
18 th December 2024
Dustin Barter
Acting Director
Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI
The team at OSWU demonstrated a remarkable level of professionalism and expertise throughout the project. Their commitment to understanding the specific needs of AFD was evident, as they actively listened and adapted their approach to ensure the delivery of high-quality results. The flexibility they exhibited in accommodating our requests and feedback was greatly appreciated and contributed significantly to the success of the study. OSWU consistently delivered their outputs on time, and the quality of their work was outstanding. The dialogue between our teams was open and enriching, fostering a collaborative environment that enhanced the overall effectiveness of the project. Their ability to engage with stakeholders and synthesise complex information into actionable insights was particularly impressive. OSWU dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit make them an invaluable partner in any research or consultancy project.
19th March 2025
Camille Laporte
Crisis, Fragility and Conflict Department
French Development Agency
OSWU deep knowledge of the Ukrainian context, combined with a vast network in civil society, allowed them to reach diverse and relevant participant groups. OSWU brought not only methodological expertise but also creativity and initiative. They consistently contributed their own ideas to improve research tools, workshop formats, and facilitation techniques. Their skill in guiding – sometimes sensitive – discussions helped foster trust, openness, and meaningful dialogue. The partnership was characterised by open communication and genuine collaboration. In short, OSWU has proven to be an excellent research partner – combining strong research and facilitation skills, deep contextual knowledge, and a collaborative spirit. Their contributions were vital to the success of our projects in Ukraine, and I have no hesitation in recommending them for future research or partnership opportunities.
9 September 2025
Eva Soltész
Programme Manager
Ground Truth Solutions
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