THINK TANKS IN MODERN UKRAINE: CHALLENGES AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

Abstract

 The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of think tanks in modern Ukraine. Various approaches to the definition of the concept of «think tanks» were considered, and a proper definition of this concept was proposed. Attention is drawn to the main function of think tanks, which consists in researching the most important problems of the country's development in various spheres. The importance of the activity of think tanks during the war, which became the impetus for the activity of most think tanks, is emphasized.

The article outlines the main areas of activity of think tanks in the conditions of war: informing the international community about the consequences of Russian aggression; identification of problems of refugees and internally displaced persons; research on national security, consequences of war, socio-economic and environmental problems; forecasting the future of Ukraine, volunteering, etc. Ukrainian think tanks whose activities are most active during the period of full-scale war are considered. Among them: think tank CEDOS, public organization «Centre for Economic Strategy», charitable fund of competent assistance of the army «Come Back Alive», think tank «DEJURE Foundation», School for Policy Analysis NaUKMA, analytical platform «VoxUkraine», Research Department Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Razumkov Centre, think tank «Ukrainian Institute of the Future».

The efforts of think tanks should also be directed to research on the expected problems of Ukrainian society and the world after the war, as well as the development of political recommendations on the post-war recovery of Ukraine and further European integration.

The author systematized the priority areas of research of think tanks in the conditions of post-war recovery: narratives and tools of Russian propaganda and countering disinformation; processes in the Russian Federation; national security and analysis of the military sphere of Ukraine; development of economic policy; democracy, transparent elections, development of local self-government, prevention of corruption.

The challenges that prevent the effective operation of think tanks are outlined: financial problems, low level of demand from the authorities for the analytical product, and communication gaps. For the successful operation of Ukrainian think tanks, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation and regular communication with the authorities, business and international organizations.