Anti-Corruption Quest 2.0: A New Chapter Begins

On June 23, 2025, we officially launched Anti-Corruption Quest 2.0. From that day forward, 41 teams of law students from across Ukraine embarked on a compelling two-month journey — one that goes far beyond conventional education. It was the first opportunity to bring together all participants: students, organizers, and creators — from those who spent months building each twist in the storyline to those just beginning to explore this world. Together, they set the tone for a long, complex, but meaningful challenge.

A challenge about choice, responsibility, and the courage to stay true to your values — even when the system pressures you to compromise.

Representatives of partner organizations and institutions who support and contribute to the development of the initiative joined the opening event.

Viktoriya Yegorova, National Project Officer (Anti-corruption) UNODC Ukraine, welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of engaging youth in Ukraine’s anti-corruption movement.

Christos Vlassis, Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Anti-Corruption) UNODC, presented the GRACE Initiative — a global platform dedicated to anti-corruption education and youth empowerment.

Bohdan Kryklyvenko, Head of the Staff of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine, also addressed the participants and highlighted the court’s commitment to supporting the teams with expert guidance throughout the Quest.

From Concept to Community

The idea behind the Quest belongs to Maria Tsypiashchuk, who envisioned something more than dry lectures — something alive, immersive, and engaging. An experience that helps participants not only understand the mechanics of corruption but also live through them, making real decisions in simulated scenarios.

Work on Anti-Corruption Quest 2.0 began in September 2024. Since then, the team has upgraded the online platform, refined the rules, added new storylines, and strengthened the educational backbone of the program. At its core, however, remains the central goal: to create a space where students can learn to resist corruption — through choices, experience, and gameplay.

Meet the Team

This project wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible people behind it:

– Anton Lobov – the lead story architect shaping the narrative arcs
– Daryna Mudrak – the screenwriter breathing life into the fictional world of the Vinnytsia Shipbuilding Institute
– Valentyna Humenna – responsible for structure, team tasks, and dramatic flow
– Bohdan Veliiev and Victor Rurak – developers of the interactive online platform
– Olia Pavlenko – the creative lead ensuring harmony between vision, legal detail, and practical resources
– Yulia Lomzhets – in charge of building partnerships to expand the initiative’s reach
– Anna Fedorenko – practical casework expert
– Viktoriia Orel – team coordinator and key point of contact
– Natalia Sheludiakova – communications lead making sure the message reaches everyone and resonates

How the Quest Transforms

Kseniia Valenia, a member of the winning team from Anti-Corruption Quest 1.0 (2023), joined the event to share her experience. Her story is proof of the lasting impact such initiatives can have:

First, I developed zero tolerance for corruption. Second, I learned how to break it down — for myself and for others. After the Quest, you come away with tools: how to say no, how to act when the system pressures you. And that’s powerful — to live through these situations in a game so you’re ready in real life.

What’s New in 2025

The Quest will unfold over more than two months. The online component includes six levels — each with required and bonus tasks: narrative missions, quizzes, and team-based legal cases. A series of webinars with experts (from NABU, HACC, the Foundation for Institutional Development, and others) provides the theoretical foundation. The platform itself allows participants to immerse themselves in real-time dilemmas.

The evaluation system mirrors the complexities of real life. Participants don’t just earn points — they combine them with “resources” like resilience, critical thinking, connections, and manipulation. The point coefficient depends on the task type and difficulty. Final scores combine individual and team performance using a tailored formula.

What Comes Next

The online phase is just the beginning. In September, top-performing teams will advance to the offline final — an intense 3-4 day immersive game featuring live investigations, unexpected twists, and high-stakes decision-making.

The winning prize? An international study visit to leading anti-corruption institutions abroad — or an equally powerful Ukrainian alternative for those who remain in the country.

Anti-Corruption Quest 2.0 (2025) is implemented by the Association of Legal Clinics of Ukraine in partnership with Bot&Partners, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and and financial support from the Government of Sweden.