In 2024, Ecsite, the European Network of Science Centres and Museums, supported by the Simons Foundation, a US-based foundation, and in cooperation with the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (JASU), launched a series of projects aimed to support science engagement in Ukraine Ukraine.

“Our country is currently facing great hardship: the enemy is destroying our schools, universities, and science institutions. A large number of children have been displaced. Yet, thanks to our friends and partners – particularly the Ecsite community, the Simons Foundation, and science centres and museums across Europe – we have received unique opportunities to establish science museums and centres in the regions, implement new methods of museum pedagogy, and represent Ukraine on the international stage,” stated Stanislav Dovgyi, President of the JASU.

Within this collaboration:

• Throughout 2024, 12 European organisations donated scientific exhibits, exhibitions, and digital materials to JASU. Some are already open to the public – for example, the "Project Fantasy"exhibition is currently on display at the JASU Science Museum in Poltava, hosted by the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”. Others are being adapted for Ukrainian audiences and will soon be presented in various cities across the country.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the organisations that contributed to this initiative: Ecsite, Technopolis (Belgium); Natural History Museum (United Kingdom); VilVite – Bergen Science Centre, Jærmuseet (Norway); Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Centro Ciência Viva (Portugal); Universcience, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, University of Montpellier – Science & Society Department, Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse, Cité de l’espace (France); iQLANDIA (Czech Republic).

• 15 Ukrainian professionals participated in the Ecsite 2024 Conference, held in June 2024 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event brought together over 900 science communication and engagement experts from more than 50 countries. The Ukrainian delegation attended professional development sessions aimed at supporting the movement for science engagement in Ukraine and presented the national programme for establishing regional science centres – “Shaping a Better Future Together.”

• 5 JASU staff members underwent training in science communication at the Copernicus Science Centre in Warsaw, Poland. The training focused on interactive approaches to science communication designed to encourage active participation in scientific events.

“This project has been a remarkable example of collaboration within the Ecsite network, and we are already seeing its positive impact. Thanks to the generous support of the Simons Foundation, we were able to assist the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in donating exhibitions, organising training sessions, and welcoming them to the 2024 Ecsite Conference. I am deeply grateful to all Ecsite members who contributed their expertise and resources to make this initiative such a success,” said Catherine Franche, Executive Director of Ecsite.

“A modern economy rests on science and mathematics. Ukraine’s future rests on its youth, and a trip to a museum can inspire a lifelong interest in mathematics and science that can transform a young person’s life.” – said David Spergel, President of Simons Foundation.

The experience and knowledge gained through this partnership are already being used and disseminated in Ukraine through training sessions, workshops, and interactive exhibits make it possible to create conditions for youth science engagement, making up for educational losses, as well as a supportive psycho-emotional and cognitive environment.

“Our collaboration with Ecsite, the Simons Foundation, and European science centres is a vivid example of how interest in science can unite the world – even in the most challenging times of history,” noted Vasyl Dunets, Deputy Director of the National Centre “Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.”

The entire team of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine expresses heartfelt gratitude to the following partners for the successful implementation of these projects: Bruno Maquart, President of Ecsite; Catherine Franche, Executive Director of Ecsite; Ivvet Modinou, Vice President of the Simons Foundation; Madisson Pillikse-Laidsaar, Communications & Membership Officer at Ecsite; as well as all members of the Ecsite team, the Simons Foundation, and European science centres and museums.