The Shargei Initiative
We match Ukrainian cities, utilities and universities with American experts, technology and partner universities. All of our work is civilian.
What we do
Ukraine has clear civilian needs. American scientists, engineers and universities can meet many of them. Nobody was doing the matching, so we started.
We bring proven American civilian technology to Ukrainian sites that need it. The research is already done. We help it reach the field.
Example: turbines placed inside existing water mains make electricity from water that is already flowing, underground and hard to strike.
More on technology transferSenior American specialists answer questions from Ukrainian engineers, online and free of charge. Ukrainian teams keep every decision.
Example: our water panel advises Ukrainian utilities on keeping drinking water safe when plants are damaged.
More on advisory panelsWe pair Ukrainian and American universities. American professors teach in Ukraine. Ukrainian students study a semester in the United States and come home to graduate.
Example: Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Drexel University have matched courses so credits earned in Philadelphia count toward a Kyiv degree.
More on university partnershipsOne match, start to finish
This is how our advisory panel worked on one of its first questions, in September 2026.
The need
A regional Ukrainian water utility learned that its supply of water treatment chemicals could run out within one or two months.
The match
Ukraine's national water authority approved the consultation. Two of our American experts joined the utility's engineers online.
The answer
The experts sent a reference design from a large membrane plant in San Diego and options for containerized treatment plants that can be brought in by truck.
Who we are
Paul Sutter is an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University. Igor Pomaz is a lawyer in Kyiv. They founded the initiative in 2026 and run it as volunteers.
Paul works with American scientists, universities and companies. Igor works with Ukrainian institutions, officials and businesses. Every project has a partner on each side.
Read more about usOur first months
June
The Office of the President of Ukraine supports the initiative. Ukrainian ministries open their doors to the work.
July
Senior American water experts form an advisory group for Ukrainian water utilities. Four Ukrainian universities begin designing programs with us.
August
Drexel University agrees to explore a program with Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
September
The water panel holds its first sessions with Ukrainian water authorities and sends written guidance. Drexel University sends a letter of interest for a program with Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
October
We start recruiting American professors to teach at Ukrainian universities.
Questions people ask
No. We are matchmakers. We find the right partners on each side, vet them, make the introduction, and help put together the funding a project needs. We do not give grants.
No. We are an independent volunteer initiative. We work with the recognition and support of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and we are not part of the US or Ukrainian government. Our work does not depend on any single government program.
No. Every project serves a civilian need, such as water, energy, education or research.
No. Students stay enrolled at their Ukrainian university the whole time. They spend one semester in the United States, earn course credit, and return home to write the thesis and receive a Ukrainian degree. They travel on an exchange visa that requires them to go home.
Each project has its own mix of funders. That can include private foundations, development banks, companies that bring their own technology, and aid from allied governments. We do not ask the Government of Ukraine for money.
Programs like Fulbright do important work, and each handles a particular kind of project. We start from a specific Ukrainian need, then look for whatever American help fits it. That lets us reach problems that fall between existing programs.
We are looking for universities, professors, engineers, companies and sponsors.