Who we are

Why did we appear?

War leaves not only the destruction of infrastructure but also deep, invisible scars. Millions of Ukrainians carry psychological consequences that affect their behavior, health, and trust in the state.

The traditional justice system does not take into account this experience. It remains largely punitive and often overlooks factors arising from combat stress, PTSD, or social maladjustment.

As a result, instead of recovery and rehabilitation, we face recidivism, criminalization, and the alienation of entire communities.

Our mission and approach

The L.E.A.D. Foundation is a Ukrainian civil society organization that promotes people-centered approaches in the justice sector, particularly by implementing trauma-informed and therapeutic justice models for veterans. The Foundation works at the intersection of law, psychology, and social reintegration, fostering the development of systems in Ukraine that not just punish but also help individuals recover.

The Foundation’s mission is to create justice that heals and to build a system where respect for human dignity becomes the cornerstone of state institutions.

Our Story

It all began with the idea that the rule of law should not just be a beautiful word, but a true pillar for a society undergoing deep transformation.

In 2020, two founders— a lawyer who saw the weaknesses of the justice system every day and an expert in the rule of law, democracy, and institutional development—sat on the floor, surrounded by piles of notes and drafts, writing the statute for a civil society organization. That’s how the L.E.A.D. Foundation was born.
We were united by the belief that together we could achieve more. We saw the challenges—war, corruption, fatigue from old systems. But at the same time, we saw the potential—the strength of people, their willingness to change, and their fight for justice.
The full-scale war only reinforced the feeling that new approaches were needed. It was then that we launched our trauma-informed justice initiative—so that justice in Ukraine could not just punish but also restore, helping people return to life after facing war.
Today, the Foundation is building a platform for action, support, reform, and recovery. We are convinced that the path to a strong state lies through respect for the individual, innovative solutions in justice, strengthening institutions, and restoring trust.