Introduction
The All-Ukrainian Step by Step Foundation, also known as the Ukrainian Step by Step Foundation (USSF), is a nonprofit organization based in Kyiv, Ukraine. It promotes high-quality, inclusive and child-centred education through teacher training, policy advocacy, community partnerships and educational-resource development.
The Foundation focuses particularly on young children, families affected by conflict, children with disabilities, Roma children and other communities facing barriers to education.
History and Background
USSF emerged from the international Step by Step education movement, which introduced democratic, learner-centred approaches to early childhood and primary education across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The Foundation has worked in Ukraine since at least the late 1990s. Its early activities included developing and expanding the Step by Step teaching model, training educators and encouraging greater family participation in education.
As Ukraine’s education system evolved, USSF expanded into:
- Inclusive education policy.
- Teacher professional development.
- Early childhood intervention.
- Community-based education.
- Support for Roma children.
- Education during emergencies.
- Mental-health and psychosocial assistance.
USSF is a full member of the International Step by Step Association (ISSA).
Mission and Purpose
The Foundation’s mission is to advance education reform toward quality and inclusive education for children from birth to eight years old, with active participation from families and local communities.
Its principal objectives include:
- Expanding inclusive education for children with disabilities.
- Improving early childhood education and care.
- Supporting child-centred and competency-based teaching.
- Strengthening educators’ professional capacity.
- Increasing family participation in children’s learning.
- Promoting educational access for Roma and marginalized children.
- Supporting children and educators affected by war.
- Influencing national and local education policy.
The Foundation views inclusion as a process of transforming schools and early-learning institutions so that every child can participate meaningfully.
Governance and Structure
USSF operates as a Ukrainian nongovernmental organization rather than a government agency or conventional grantmaking foundation.
Its programs are implemented through teams of education specialists, trainers, project managers and consultants. The Foundation works with:
- Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science.
- Regional and municipal education authorities.
- Kindergartens and schools.
- Inclusive-resource centres.
- Universities and teacher-training institutions.
- Parents and community organizations.
- International donors and humanitarian agencies.
- Members of the ISSA network.
Detailed information about its current board and internal governance is not prominently available through the ISSA member profile. Interested partners should consult the Foundation directly for current governance and organizational documentation.
Funding and Grants
USSF receives project-based funding and technical support from international foundations, development agencies and humanitarian organizations.
Its partners have included:
- UNICEF.
- International Step by Step Association.
- War Child Alliance.
- Open Society Foundations.
- International Renaissance Foundation.
- Canadian organizations involved in inclusive education.
- European and international early-childhood networks.
Most of its funding is used to implement education, training, research and humanitarian-support programs. USSF does not generally operate as a permanent open-call grantmaker for NGOs.
However, certain donor-supported projects may include subgrants, materials, equipment or financial assistance for schools, childcare providers, municipalities and community initiatives. Availability depends on the specific project and funding period.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Inclusive Education
USSF has played an important role in developing inclusive education approaches in Ukraine.
Its work has included:
- Training teachers and school administrators.
- Developing inclusive teaching materials.
- Supporting individual approaches to learning.
- Promoting cooperation among teachers, specialists and parents.
- Researching barriers faced by children with disabilities.
- Advising on inclusive education policies.
- Supporting transitions from early intervention into preschool and school.
The Foundation has collaborated with disability organizations, government institutions and international specialists to help schools accommodate children with diverse educational needs.
Step by Step Educational Model
The Step by Step model promotes child-centred classrooms in which children actively participate in learning.
Its principles include:
- Individualized teaching.
- Family involvement.
- Learning through play and exploration.
- Respect for diversity.
- Democratic participation.
- Cooperation rather than competition.
- Inclusive classroom practices.
USSF has trained educators and education leaders to apply these principles in early childhood centres and primary schools.
Teacher Training and Certification
The Foundation develops training modules and delivers professional-development programs for teachers, trainers and education administrators.
It has worked with Ukraine’s education-quality institutions to prepare trainers and certification materials based on Step by Step principles. Training topics have included:
- Inclusive teaching.
- Classroom management.
- Child development.
- Family engagement.
- Diversity and anti-bias education.
- Psychological first aid.
- Trauma-informed education.
- Community-school partnerships.
Early Childhood Intervention
USSF has supported stronger connections among health, social-protection and education services for young children with developmental risks or disabilities.
Working with Ukrainian partner organizations, it has helped develop transition models that enable children to move from early-intervention services into inclusive preschool and primary education.
The approach emphasizes coordination among families, educators, therapists, healthcare specialists and local authorities.
Support for Roma and Marginalized Children
The Foundation works to improve access to early learning and inclusive education for Roma children and other socially marginalized groups.
Activities have included:
- Training educators working in diverse classrooms.
- Promoting anti-discrimination practices.
- Engaging Roma parents and community representatives.
- Supporting culturally responsive teaching.
- Organizing professional-learning events.
- Advocating for equitable education policy.
Psychological First Aid and Trauma-Informed Education
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, USSF expanded its work to address the emotional and educational effects of war.
In cooperation with ISSA, War Child Holland and other partners, the Foundation has trained professionals in psychological first aid and trauma-informed practices.
Training helps educators:
- Recognize signs of distress in children.
- Support emotional regulation.
- Communicate with affected parents and caregivers.
- Create safe and predictable learning environments.
- Manage their own stress and well-being.
An ISSA-supported initiative reached more than 1,900 practitioners through 190 master trainers across 30 organizations in Europe and Central Asia. USSF contributed by training 20 master trainers in Ukraine.
Restoring Early Childhood Education in Trostianets
After severe war-related damage left kindergartens in Trostianets closed in 2022, USSF worked with the local municipality, ISSA and War Child Holland to restore early childhood services.
Support included:
- Furniture and educational toys.
- Stationery and classroom materials.
- Meals and essential supplies.
- Psychological first-aid training.
- Assistance to educators and families.
These efforts helped kindergartens resume operations while strengthening their ability to support children affected by conflict.
Youth Mental Health and Participation
Through its partnership with War Child Alliance, USSF supports young people affected by war to participate in research, advocacy and community mental-health initiatives.
Youth groups have:
- Conducted peer research.
- Identified mental-health priorities.
- Organized psychosocial activities.
- Influenced local youth policy.
- Presented their recommendations internationally.
In 2026, young advocates from Trostianets participated in international discussions connected with the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Impact and Examples of Work Supported
USSF’s contribution to Ukrainian education includes:
- Expanding awareness and practice of inclusive education.
- Training teachers across multiple Ukrainian regions.
- Supporting national education-certification initiatives.
- Developing practical resources for educators and families.
- Strengthening cooperation among schools, parents and communities.
- Supporting children with disabilities and Roma children.
- Restoring early-learning services in conflict-affected communities.
- Introducing psychological first aid into education settings.
- Helping young people participate in mental-health advocacy.
A previous UNICEF-supported initiative, Kindergarten—Environment Friendly to a Child, trained educators and improved early-learning support for children in conflict-affected areas.
The Foundation’s long-term influence is also visible in Ukraine’s broader movement toward child-centred classrooms, family engagement and inclusive educational policy.
Conclusion
The All-Ukrainian Step by Step Foundation is an important civil-society partner in Ukraine’s transition toward inclusive, child-centred and community-supported education.
Its work combines teacher development, education reform, family engagement, early childhood intervention and assistance for children affected by war. Through partnerships with Ukrainian institutions, ISSA, UNICEF and War Child Alliance, USSF helps educators and communities create safer and more inclusive learning environments.
USSF is primarily a program-implementing and capacity-building organization rather than a conventional open grantmaker. Current information about its work and partnership opportunities is available through the International Step by Step Association member profile.
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