🛡️ Defence First is about coordination, responsibility and results. There is no room for parallel realities in the defence sector: reforms must follow a single trajectory — with a common understanding of the problems, priorities and what exactly needs to be changed in order to strengthen state capacity and bring victory closer.
On 26 February, BRDO and the Sahaidachnyi Centre announced the launch of the Defence First coalition — a permanent platform that brings together Ukrainian NGOs and think tanks in the security and defence sector to shape a coherent defence reform agenda, synchronise analytical and advocacy efforts, strengthen institutional capacity, and build structured cooperation with state institutions and international partners.
Its key value is the united voice of the Ukrainian expert community, which works on this topic daily, understands the context and the ‘internal logic’ of the processes well, and is therefore able to formulate issues more accurately and offer realistic solutions and a roadmap for change — from decisions to implementation.
Twelve organisations have already joined Defence First: BRDO, Sahaidachnyi Centre, НАКО, Transparency International Ukraine, Dignitas Fund, Aerorozvidka, the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, Centre for Policy Making, Boryviter, Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine, NGO Price of Freedom, Regional Centre for Human Rights.
Strong defence begins with coordinated decisions — so let's stay focused on change and move forward together!
