Defence Institution Building School (DIBS)

What Defence Institution Building School (DIBS) does

Defence Institution Building School (DIBS) is a Georgian state-run educational institution operating under the Ministry of Defence, established on 28 June 2016 from the prior Professional Development Centre and positioned as a flagship project of the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package. Its core function is to deliver professional and institutional development programming for Georgian defence and security sector personnel, with Germany serving as the lead country and a broad donor and partner network (NATO, Netherlands Clingendael, UK CIPD, Norway, US Jefferson Institute, Italy, Slovakia, Estonia, DCAF, Royal Danish Defence College) financing operations. The portfolio comprises residential courses (NATO Basic Strategic Communications Course, National Executive Defence Course, Stabilization and Reconstruction, Defence Attaché Preparation, regional security courses), modular curricula (Security Sector Orientation with 10 modules; Security Sector Management with 6 modules), accredited professional development programmes for public servants, a one-year joint EMBA Master's in National Security Policy in Public Administration with Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, and a distance-learning track delivered through an LMS Moodle-based Advanced Distributed Learning platform reaching over 2,000 participants in five years.

Revenue mechanics are non-commercial: services are provided free of charge to eligible Georgian and NATO/partner-country participants, with operating costs covered by Georgian Ministry of Defence budget allocations, NATO trust funds, and partner-country financial contributions. The institution holds NATO institutional unconditional accreditation (6 years, 2022), ESDC Associated Network membership (2022), NATO SELECTED certification for the Strategic Communications Course (May 2020), and national accreditations for two professional programmes and the master's degree, making Georgia the first partner country in the region with NATO-accredited educational institutions. The customer base is concentrated within the Georgian security sector (Ministry of Defence, Defence Forces, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Security Council, State Protection Service) plus international participants from NATO member and partner countries, with international study tours extending reach into Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Denmark.

Name

Defence Institution Building School (DIBS)

Legal name

Defence Institution Building School

Website

https://dibs.mod.gov.ge

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Defence Institution Building School (DIBS) is a Georgian Ministry of Defence state entity, established in 2016, that delivers NATO-accredited professional development, executive, and master's-level training to Georgian defence and security sector personnel and NATO/partner-country participants, funded by the Georgian state, NATO trust funds, and bilateral partner contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Education and Training

NAICS

National Security (928110), International Affairs (928120), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAFAE

Security Sector Reform (SSR) & Defense Institution Building

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution & Security Cooperation

SECONDARYBPAIAAAB

Central Government Policy, Strategy & Performance (incl. OMB-style functions)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Central/Federal Government Administration

Keywords

• Defence professional training
• Security sector education
• NATO-accredited programmes
• Military professional development
• Distance learning defence

Headquarters

HQ city

Tbilisi

HQ country

Georgia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-funded operations: DIBS operates as a public legal entity under Georgia's Ministry of Defence, funded through NATO-Georgia cooperation programmes, NATO Trust Funds, and partner country contributions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DIBS is a state-run educational institution under the Georgian Ministry of Defence that delivers accredited professional development, training courses, modular programmes, and a distance learning platform for Georgian defence and security sector personnel, NATO/partner country participants, and civil society. Its portfolio includes NATO-certified strategic communications courses, executive defence courses, defence attaché preparation, stabilization and reconstruction courses, modular orientation and management programmes, and a Moodle-based online learning platform with 10+ self-paced courses.

Product overview

The Defence Institution Building School (DIBS) operates as a unified institutional platform offering defence and security training programmes, rather than a single software product. The portfolio is organized around three primary pillars: (1) a residential course catalogue encompassing the NATO Basic Strategic Communications Course (NATO SELECTED), the National Executive Defence Course, regional security courses, and the Defence Attaché Preparation Course; (2) the Security Sector Management Programme (6 modules) and Security Sector Orientation Programme (10 modules) as structured modular curricula; and (3) the LMS MOODLE-powered Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) platform delivering 10 self-paced online courses. Additionally, DIBS offers accredited professional development programmes for Georgian public employees and a joint one-year Master's programme (EMBA in Public Administration) in partnership with TSU. The Defence and Security Senior Programme serves as the flagship 5-month senior executive programme integrating with the Master's pathway.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NATO Basic Strategic Communications Course A NATO-certified foundational course on strategic communications developed in collaboration with the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence and awarded 'NATO SELECTED' status in May 2020. It covers information environment analysis, the informational element of hybrid warfare, the digital landscape, narratives, and strategic communications within NATO and Georgia, for security sector professionals and international participants.
• Security Sector Management Programme A modular programme comprising 6 independent modules covering human capital management, professional correspondence, personal and public information management, corruption risk management and integrity building, resource management, and relationship management. Designed for mid-level civilian employees and military personnel in the security sector.
• Security Sector Orientation Programme An introductory programme consisting of 10 independent modules covering national security architecture, NATO orientation, conflict management, gender in security, cyber security, hybrid warfare, effective communication, stress resilience, and integrity building. Includes mandatory and elective components for security sector employees.
• LMS Moodle Distance Learning Platform An Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) platform deployed via partnership with Norway's Ministry of Defence and the Jefferson Institute (USA), delivering 10+ self-paced online courses (NATO Orientation, Building Integrity, Cyber Hygiene, Strategic Communications, Gender in Security, NATO Classified Information Security, and others) to over 2,000 participants since 2017.
• Personal and Professional Competencies Development Course A nationally accredited professional development programme for public employees (rank III-IV) focused on developing personal and professional competencies. Delivered since 2020 under National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement accreditation for public servants in the defence and security sector.
• Managerial Skills Programme A nationally accredited professional development programme for public employees (rank I-II) designed to develop managerial skills for civil servants. Delivered since 2020 under National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement accreditation for public servants in the defence and security sector.
• Defence and Security Senior Programme A 5-month senior-level programme preparing strategic-level military and civilian leaders for coordinated cooperation, security environment assessment, and crisis management participation. Participants include defence forces officers, MOD civil servants, and TSU Master's students. The 2024-2025 cohort represents the third cohort of the programme.
• Master's Programme - National Security Policy in Public Administration (EMBA) A one-year joint Master's programme delivered in partnership with Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University's Faculty of Economics and Business, leading to an Executive MBA in Public Administration. Integrates the Defence and Security Senior Programme in its first semester, conferring graduates with two diplomas upon completion. Accredited nationally on 7 February 2023.
• National Executive Defence Course A flagship executive-level course on national defence, among the most demanded programmes at the school, delivered with support from the Republic of Estonia and NATO's Professional Development Programme.
• South Caucasus in a Wider Black Sea Regional Security Context An international course examining the security dynamics of the South Caucasus within the broader Black Sea regional security framework, bringing together participants from multiple countries.
• Stabilization and Reconstruction Orientation Course A course developed in cooperation with the Italian Army Post-Conflict Operations Study Centre and Georgian experts, successfully implemented as part of the school's curriculum.
• Crisis Management and Communication Course A course focused on crisis management methodologies and communication strategies for security sector professionals.
• Defence Attaché Preparation Course A 5-week programme designed to prepare defence attachés for effective representation in embassies and international organisations.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 June 2016DIBS is a key project of NATO-Georgia Substantial Package (SNGP), developed with active support from NATO experts. NATO provides institutional accreditation, programme certification, and ongoing development support through various trust funds and professional development programmes.
• Federal Republic of GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany serves as the lead country for DIBS within NATO-Georgia Substantial Package. German experts actively participate in school development, and Germany is the main financial contributor. Collaboration with German Federal Academy for Security Policy (BAKS) has developed over the years.
• Kingdom of the Netherlands (Clingendael Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst country to express financial support willingness. Netherlands Clingendael Institute developed 4-year school capacity building plan being successfully implemented. Clingendael plays important role in Training of Trainers programme, enhancing Georgian security sector teaching capabilities.
• United Kingdom (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - CIPD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK actively supports professional development programmes. DIBS became first Georgian institution whose officials completed year-and-a-half training and obtained CIPD certification. CIPD, founded 1913, brings together 150,000+ professionals worldwide.
• Norwegian Ministry of DefencemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorway supported 3-year Advanced Distributed Learning Capacity Building project with USA Jefferson Institute involvement for developing online learning capabilities.
• USA (Jefferson Institute)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJefferson Institute cooperated with Norwegian MoD and DIBS on Advanced Distributed Learning capacity development, helping create multiple ADL courses.
• Republic of Italy (Army Post-Conflict Operations Study Centre)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Army Post-Conflict Operations Study Centre collaborated with Georgian experts to develop Stabilization and Reconstruction Orientation Course, successfully implemented.
• Slovak Republic (Armed Forces Academy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovak expert actively participates in DIBS development. Armed Forces Academy shares experience on accreditation issues. Slovakia is also financial contributor to NATO Defence Capacity Building Trust Fund.
• Republic of EstoniamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith Estonian and NATO Professional Development Programme support, DIBS has been implementing the most demanded National Defence Executive Course for many years.
• NATO Strategic Communications Centre of ExcellencecoreTechnology or IntegrationFour years of close collaboration resulted in development and NATO certification of NATO Basic Strategic Communications Course (NATO SELECTED, May 2020).
• Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCAF has been actively involved in experience sharing with DIBS through multiple visits, supporting democratic control of armed forces principles.
• Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (Police Academy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational-level cooperation for inter-agency training and joint programmes in security sector development.
• Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training Centre)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on diplomatic training and foreign policy aspects of security sector education.
• Justice Training Centre of GeorgiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational-level cooperation for joint training programmes in justice and rule of law aspects.
• National Defence Academy of UkraineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on knowledge and experience sharing in defence education, conducted as part of PDP DIBS Concept Conference.
• Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) - United KingdommajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK defence and security research institute actively delivers lectures and supports training of trainers programme.
• Royal Danish Defence CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of understanding signed March 2023 for cooperation, including 3-year Peace and Stabilisation Fund programme starting February 2023.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NATO School Oberammergau: NATO's primary individual training and education facility located in Germany. Directly comparable to DIBS as a NATO-affiliated defence education institution delivering courses to military and civilian personnel from NATO and partner countries.
• NATO Defense College (Rome): NATO's senior-level professional military education institution. Directly comparable to DIBS as a NATO-accredited provider of strategic-level defence and security education for officers and officials from NATO and partner nations.
• European Security and Defence College (ESDC): EU-level network institution coordinating European defence and security training. DIBS is an Associated Network Member of ESDC, making it a direct peer within the same network for delivering accredited European security education.
• George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies: German-U.S. co-sponsored international security educational institution based in Germany. Directly comparable as a transatlantic security institution delivering executive education on defence policy, security sector reform and resilience to civilian and military leaders from partner countries.
• NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence (NATO StratCom COE): NATO-accredited Centre of Excellence based in Riga focused on strategic communications. Directly comparable as DIBS's partner in developing the NATO SELECTED Basic Strategic Communications Course, operating in the same NATO-accredited training ecosystem.
• DCAF – Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces: International foundation supporting democratic governance of the security sector. Directly comparable to DIBS as both focus on security sector reform, good governance and integrity-building in defence institutions; DCAF is also an active partner of DIBS.
• Royal Danish Defence College: Danish military higher-education institution with MOU signed with DIBS in March 2023 and a 3-year Peace and Stabilisation Fund programme. Directly comparable as a national defence college partnering on professional military education and security-sector training.

Emerging players

• Clingendael Institute: Dutch institute for international relations that developed DIBS's 4-year capacity-building plan and supports Training of Trainers. Comparable as a partner-capacity-builder in the same security education ecosystem, with overlapping curriculum on diplomacy and security policy.
• National Defence Academy of Ukraine: Ukrainian defence university with active cooperation and knowledge-sharing with DIBS. Comparable as a regional defence education institution focused on training future officers and security-sector professionals in a NATO-aspirant country.

Broad incumbents

• Bundeswehr Command and Staff College (Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr): Germany's senior military educational institution; Germany is DIBS's lead country within the NATO-Georgia Substantial Package. Comparable as a large, established defence college within NATO's broader professional military education system.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dibs-podcasts

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Defence Institution Building School (DIBS)