The KSE Institute is now accepting applications for ThinkLab 2.0—a program where young people analyze government decisions in real time alongside AI and the country’s leaders
2 July 20:40
The KSE Institute is now accepting applications for KSE ThinkLab 2.0 —a 4-day in-person intensive program focused on analyzing government decisions, open to 200 selected participants aged 18–24 from across Ukraine. The program follows a problem-led, not lecture-led approach: participants do not attend lectures on public administration but instead analyze real-world decisions in defense, energy, business, media, and culture. The intensive will take place July 17–20 in Kyiv and will include hands-on sessions on AI and interactions with prominent Ukrainian leaders from various socioeconomic sectors.
Why This Matters
Ukrainians are fighting for their independence and the right to live in a sovereign state amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. At this time, government decisions shape not only the agenda but also the daily living conditions of millions of people. For decisions to be effective, it is not enough simply to adopt them. It is necessary to explain: what problem they solve, whom they affect, and what opportunities or changes they create. That is why communication between the government and society is an essential part of good governance. Young people are already among those driving change, and they will be among those who rebuild and develop Ukraine. For young people, understanding government decisions means seeing the logic behind the changes, asking the right questions, and getting involved in shaping the country’s future.
Who We’re Looking For
Talented young people who are eager to make Ukraine better, think ambitiously, find solutions to the country’s real problems, and overcome challenges that force them to grow. Our goal is to help a new generation of Ukrainians move from mere survival and submission to actively shaping their country.
Intensive Format
The core format of ThinkLab 2.0 is the Live Case Study. Participants work in teams and take on analytical roles: skeptics, risk auditors, and conflict-of-interest identifiers.
During 40-minute cross-sectoral dialogues with representatives from defense, energy, business, media, and culture, teams fill out analytical frameworks in real time, assess the potential impact of proposed decisions, and ask speakers precise, challenging questions.
This is not a simulation of an abstract state. Participants work with decisions as they are being formed. ThinkLab 2.0 is Ukraine’s first format for structured public dialogue between the executive branch and young people in an analytical setting.
What Participants Will Gain
ThinkLab 2.0 is an intensive, lecture-free learning experience: over four days, 200 young Ukrainians from across the country analyze government decisions in real time, learn to distinguish the public interest from media noise, and the best proposals are published openly and forwarded to those who directly make decisions in the government. The main outcome of the program is a Policy Brief. This is a well-reasoned proposal for solutions in a specific sector, formatted to the standard required for submission to the relevant ministry or think tank: problem statement, verified data, recommended solution taking institutional constraints into account, and an assessment of trade-offs.
KSE Institute experts will publish the top 5 briefs publicly.
What to Expect from the Intensive Course
The first day brings all participants up to the same level of data literacy. The focus is on AI tools for fact-checking, data aggregation, and deconstructing populism: the skill of distinguishing fact from manipulation by referencing sources rather than relying on intuition. Before the start, participants will work through a required reading list to ensure everyone begins the workshop with a shared context.
ThinkLab doesn’t end on the final day. New civic organizations, analytical products, and alumni coalitions are formed here. ThinkLab is designed as a platform that brings together youth-led socio-political projects into a single network, with access to the KSE Institute’s expert community.
Who Can Apply
The program is for proactive young people aged 18–24: 2nd–4th-year undergraduates, master’s students, junior professionals, and young civil servants.
Selection is competitive. There are 200 spots available.
How to apply
We are accepting applications until July 11, 2026, via the application form on the project’s website. To participate, you must submit a short motivation letter describing your ambitions and the talents you would like to develop.
Next:
- July 13 — announcement of selection results.
- July 17–20 — KSE ThinkLab 2.0.
“ThinkLab is about the difference between having an opinion and being able to justify it. We don’t teach young people what to think about the state. We provide the tools to analyze its decisions independently: to see trade-offs, distinguish fact from manipulation, and take responsibility for one’sposition,” says Natalia Shapoval, director of the KSE Institute.
Participation in KSE ThinkLab 2.0 is free for 200 selected participants. The KSE Institute and its partners cover the program, educational materials, meals during the intensive, accommodation for participants from other cities in Ukraine, as well as transportation or reimbursement for travel to Kyiv.
For details and to apply, visit the project website.
Background:
TheKSE Institute is a think tank affiliated with the Kyiv School of Economics. It specializes in analytics, consulting, and research, and develops strategies and recommendations to support a strong and innovative Ukrainian economy. The KSE Institute provides consulting services to the public and private sectors and is one of the largest think tanks in Ukraine. The KSE Institute’s experts include internationally recognized PhDs, programmers, former government officials, and consultants. The KSE Institute has completed over 100 research and consulting projects.
