Thinking constructively about national defense, human security, and democracy protection
These are uncertain and ever-changing times. It is unconventional for social change NGOs to engage on questions of national defense. Sometimes we do not choose our purpose, but purpose chooses us. At this historical juncture, a sense of purpose has found ONM: In response to repeated calls from Europe’s institutions, and notably the defense establishment, for new solutions and cross-sector cooperation, ONM has set out to apply its expertise in nonviolent action to matters of defense. We provide strategic support to ministries, NGOs, private sector actors, and others, grounded in unarmed civilian-based defense. We are well-connected with Ukraine’s civil society and unarmed defenders and know their best practices. We believe people-powered, nonmilitary mobilization and empowerment fixes a blind spot in comprehensive defense, complementing institutional responses.
ONM’s work strengthens societal resilience embedding in a whole-of-society approach, partnering across civic, institutional, academic, professional, and military training sectors. Our evidence-based strategies strengthen nonmilitary sector mobilization and preparedness.
Drawing on experience in civil, academic, private sector and institutional environments, ONM navigates its cross-sector engagement while maintaining independence and its North Star: commitment to nonviolent action for rights and democracy. We take a pragmatic, non-ideological approach to national defense, engaging partners to design approaches that empower ordinary people, reduce societal fragility, and strengthen civic capacities. Our work is grounded in systems thinking, collaborating with entities working at different layers of society to build autonomy and navigate contemporary security challenges.
The number of popular education initiatives in unarmed civilian-based defense is growing quickly. ONM is one of very few NGOs uniquely positioned to engage institutions and private sphere, filling an important gap.
For companies & corporations
We accompany organizations in business continuity management, providing knowledge and frameworks for more autonomous, empowered teams and strengthened resilience capacity-building for complex environments. We provide team resilience and continuity diagnostics, team resilience benchmarking and playbooks, power analysis & organizational agency mapping, braingames, and staff teambuilding exercises. Check out our services for companies and corporations here.
For ministries & other defense establishment actors
ONM provides workshops and seminars to impart critically important conflict theory, frames, case studies, and best practices in unarmed civilian-based defense. Our workshops shed light on the nature and dynamics of asymmetrical conflict, as well as a vast panel of strategic and sustainable responses to hybrid war. We bridge the grassroots and institutions, leading to close important gaps in social trust and societal cohesion–a requirement before any society can begin dreaming of resilience in the face of uncertainty or crisis.
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Photo: ONM Senior Advisor Olena Tregub presents on Ukraine’s “civic shield” to a group of defense planners, academics, and human rights NGOs. Paris, December 2025.