About the organization

A non-profit organization with two tracks of work: technology products for communities, the environment and healthcare — and social programmes that support people directly. Built by veterans, defenders, students, engineers and care professionals.

Who we are

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION «GRADIENT CENTER» is a Ukrainian non-profit organization. We work along two tracks. The first is technology products: we assemble teams of veterans, defenders, students, engineers and researchers, and take solutions from prototype to deployment. The second is social programmes: for situations where a person needs help directly, not through an app.

In the product track we work as a venture builder. That means we do not hand out grants for other people's projects. We take a real problem from a municipality, a hospital or a public body, build a team around it, guide that team through development under the mentorship of working practitioners, and carry the result to the point where people actually use it.

Our activities cover the whole territory of Ukraine. The organization is registered, has its own statute in a new edition and five internal policies, all published in full.

Mission

Build the technology Ukraine needs — with the hands of those who defended it and those who will rebuild it.

These are two problems we solve with a single action. Communities, hospitals and the environment get working solutions. Veterans, defenders, students and beginners get a profession, a team and their first real case studies.

Vision

A Ukraine that rebuilds itself with its own technology.

A municipality does not wait a year for a contractor to tell it the condition of its own networks. A hospital offers rehabilitation at home rather than two hundred kilometres away. Environmental data is open, not buried in somebody's report. And all of it is built here, not bought from a foreign vendor with grant money.

Values

Six rules you can hold any decision of ours against.

A product, not a presentation

A project counts as done when somebody uses it. Not when the pitch is ready and not when the report is filed.

People over CVs

We select for the ability to deliver, not for years of experience. That is why a senior with a decade behind them works alongside someone writing their first line of code.

Open by default

The statute, the policies, the reports and the bank details are on this site in full. We withhold only what the law, safety or a person's consent requires.

Every hryvnia has an address

Donor funds are accounted for separately and spent for their stated purpose. Distributing income among members is prohibited by our statute and by law.

Accessibility is not optional

Products and processes have to work for people with disabilities. This site included: keyboard navigation, contrast, and a mode with no motion.

Zero tolerance

For corruption, harassment, violence and undisclosed conflicts of interest. Behind each of these there is a written policy and a channel to report through.

How governance works

The structure is set out in sections 5 and 6 of the Statute. In brief:

The Meeting
The highest body. Approves the statute and amendments, elects the Board and the Chair, sets directions of activity, approves the annual report and budget, and decides on termination. Convened annually; extraordinary meetings on the demand of at least one tenth of full members.
The Board
The executive body between Meetings, at least two people, three-year term. Admits and excludes members, approves internal policies and the budget, creates advisory bodies, sets membership fees.
Chair of the Board
Elected by the Meeting for three years, accountable to the Meeting and controlled by the Board. Represents the organisation without a power of attorney, signs contracts and disposes of funds within the approved budget.
Supervisory Board
A consultative and controlling body. Formed by decision of the Meeting once membership exceeds ten people: a chair and two members, none of whom may sit on the Board. Until then oversight rests with the Meeting and independent — including international — financial audit.

Meetings may be held remotely and decisions may be taken by written poll. Every sitting is minuted, and the format of the sitting is always recorded in the minutes.

Membership

Membership is voluntary and individual. The statute defines two categories.

Full members

Aged 18 or over with full legal capacity. Hold voting rights at the Meeting and may elect and be elected to the governing bodies.

Associate members

Aged 14 or over, with written consent from parents or guardians. They take part in activities but do not vote and are not elected to bodies. Engaged only in civilian projects.

Who is not a member

Volunteers and mentors, ambassadors and recipients of aid. They hold neither the rights nor the duties of members and take no part in governance.

Applications go to the Chair of the Board on paper or electronically. The Board decides within a month and notifies the applicant within five working days. A refusal must be reasoned. Leaving requires only a written statement.

Legal details

Full name
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION «GRADIENT CENTER»
Short name
NGO «GRADIENT»
Name in Ukrainian
ГРОМАДСЬКА ОРГАНІЗАЦІЯ «ГРАДІЄНТ ЦЕНТР», short form ГО «ГРАДІЄНТ»
Registration code (EDRPOU)
46389902
Legal form
Non-governmental organization
Tax status
Non-profit organization
Territory of activity
Ukraine
Contact
hello@gradientcenter.org

These details can be verified in Ukraine's Unified State Register of Legal Entities under registration code 46389902. The register is public and free.

Frequently asked questions

01

How does a venture builder differ from a fund?

A fund hands out money and collects reports. We assemble the team ourselves, guide it through development and answer for the result. The risk sits with us, not with the team.

02

Who makes decisions in the organisation?

The Meeting is the highest body. Day-to-day management sits with the Board (at least two people) headed by the Chair of the Board. Elected bodies serve three-year terms.

03

Who oversees the finances?

A Supervisory Board, formed by decision of the Meeting once membership exceeds ten. Until then oversight rests with the Meeting itself and independent financial audit.

04

Can I become a member?

Yes. Membership is voluntary and individual. Full members are 18 or older and hold voting rights; associate members are 14 or older, with written parental consent. Applications go to the Chair of the Board and the Board decides within a month.

05

Is profit distributed?

No. Distribution of income to founders, governing-body members or staff is prohibited by the statute and by subparagraph 133.4.1 of the Tax Code. It is a condition of non-profit status.

06

Where can I verify the organisation?

In Ukraine's Unified State Register of Legal Entities under registration code 46389902. The register is public and free.

What next

See what we are working on, or check us against the documents — they are published in full.