Estonian Academy of Security Sciences helps develop police education in Ukraine

The Estonian Academy of Security Sciences has launched the development cooperation project ZytoPol with the support of the Estonian Centre for International Development, ESTDEV. The aim of the project is to support the modernisation of police education in Ukraine and strengthen the practical training capacity of Zhytomyr Police Academy. As a result of the project, a virtual simulation centre will be established at the Ukrainian academy, and instructors will be trained to use modern simulation-based teaching methods in police education.

The project, which began in March 2026, focuses on renewing police education in Ukraine. Through cooperation, Estonian and Ukrainian experts will share knowledge on the development of police education, the organisation of practical training, and the use of innovative teaching methods. The project also supports the readiness of Ukraine’s education system to join the European Union education area.

According to Marek Link, Project Manager at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, the project is centred on a practical goal with long-term impact — helping Ukrainian partners build a capability that will continue to be used after the project ends.

“ZytoPol is not only a project for sharing knowledge, but for building joint capability. Our aim is to support Zhytomyr Police Academy in developing its own simulation centre, trained instructors and the skills needed to use simulation-based learning in everyday police education,” said Link.

According to Ingrid Vetka, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, the academy has long-standing practical experience in developing and implementing simulation-based learning.

“At the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, we make extensive use of simulations and virtual simulation opportunities in both degree studies and continuing education. This has given us strong knowledge and practical experience in how to enrich teaching and practise situations that are as close to real life as possible. This is precisely the experience we can share with our Ukrainian partners to support the development of their police education through modern and effective teaching methods,” said Vetka.

In mid-May, the project kick-off meeting took place at Zhytomyr Police Academy in Ukraine. During the meeting, the project action plan was specified with the Ukrainian partners, planned activities were introduced, and the first introductions to the use of simulation software were carried out.

Toomas Tirs, ESTDEV’s representative in Ukraine, who attended the meeting, emphasised the importance of cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine in the field of internal security, as well as the project’s role in developing new capabilities at Zhytomyr Police Academy.

“For ESTDEV, strengthening Ukraine’s internal security sector and supporting preparations for accession to the European Union have been priority areas for several years. I am very pleased that, through the project led by the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, a simulation centre will be created that will take police education to a new level. This is also in line with one of the horizontal priorities of Estonian development cooperation — digitalisation — and helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the project,” explained Tirs.

One of the key outcomes of the project will be the establishment of a virtual simulation centre at Zhytomyr Police Academy, enabling police education to be conducted in a more practical and scenario-based way. During the project, experts from the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences will train ten Ukrainian instructors. The first five-day training course will take place at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, and the second training course will be held in Ukraine after the simulation centre at Zhytomyr Academy has been completed.

“Simulation-based learning helps learners practise decision-making, cooperation and action in complex situations within a safe learning environment. In police work, these skills are crucial. For our Ukrainian partners, this is an opportunity to take their teaching to a new level, and for us, it is an opportunity to learn from their experience of how police training functions in wartime conditions,” added Link.

According to Colonel Maksym Kaptenko, Head of Zhytomyr Police Academy, cooperation with Estonian partners makes a significant contribution to the development of police education in Ukraine.

“This is an important step in modernising police education in Ukraine and developing more practical and technology-based learning. We are very grateful to our Estonian colleagues for their consistent support and cooperation, which helps us strengthen the training of future police officers even in difficult circumstances,” said Kontenko.

In addition to establishing the simulation centre, the project will include a study and analysis of police education, contributing to the future modernisation of Ukrainian police education and its integration into the European police education network. The project will also include meetings, seminars and expert exchanges to share best practices in the organisation of police education and support methodological development.

ZytoPol is already the fourth ESTDEV-funded development cooperation project through which experts from the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences share their knowledge and experience with Ukrainian partners. The lead partner of the project is the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, and the main beneficiary is Zhytomyr Police Academy. The project started in March 2026 and will run until October 2027. The project budget is 300,000 euros and is funded by ESTDEV.