About ARMSMA
Our purpose
Our purpose is to analyse, model and help reduce the risks that threaten the life, health and safety of individuals, communities and critical systems — whether they come from the explosive remnants of conflict, from fire and the built environment, from technological or natural hazards, or from hybrid and man-made crises.
We pursue that through three lines of work: analysis and research; education and the transfer of knowledge; and the development of software and other digital tools that support both. The association is established for an unlimited duration and applies all of its income to those purposes — nothing is ever distributed to founders, members or the board. To finance that purpose it may also sell services, software licences, subscriptions and training; any surplus goes back into the work.
We believe preparedness saves lives.
What we are not
ARMSMA is an analytical, educational and technology organisation. It does not conduct emergency response, evacuation, rescue, firefighting or demining, and carries out no security or armed activity. It does not procure, hold, transport or trade in weapons, ammunition or explosive ordnance, and it does not hold or move funds on behalf of third parties. Our work is research, analysis, advice, training and software — delivered to the competent authorities, organisations and public who do the rest. This boundary is written into our Statute, not adopted as a slogan.
Governance
ARMSMA is governed by the following bodies:
- General Meeting of Members
- Supreme governing body of the association
- Board
- Executive body — currently the Principal Founder, Illia Usachov, ex officio, with individual signing authority
- Founders
- Voting members ex officio
- Advisory Board
- Optional body of external experts
Founders
Illia Usachov
Principal Founder
Oleksandr Osypenko
Co-Founder
Our values & compliance
Peace and humanitarian law
We stand for the protection of civilian life, international humanitarian law and human rights, and condemn terrorism, wars of aggression and attacks on civilians. Our defence and security work serves only the protection of people and the lawful defence of States under the UN Charter.
Non-discrimination
No discrimination on grounds of gender, age, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic — in programmes, membership and governance.
Protected good-faith reporting
Anyone can report a suspected breach of law, of the Statute or of a grant agreement — anonymously if they wish. Each report is assessed within 30 days in confidence, and good-faith reporting is protected from retaliation.
Strict compliance
No funds from illegal sources, no support of terrorism or money laundering, and full respect of SECO, UN and EU sanctions.