Open Call: Protection of Victims and Preservation of War Memory (Ukraine)

The Protection of Victims and Preservation of War Memory Grant supports Ukrainian civil society organizations working to assist war victims and document war-related crimes. The program funds activities such as victim support, archival preservation, transitional justice, and war memory initiatives. Grants range from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 UAH with projects lasting up to 12 months.

Overview of the Grant Competition

The Protection of Victims and Preservation of War Memory Grant Competition is an initiative supporting civil society efforts in Ukraine focused on war victims, historical documentation, and transitional justice.

The program strengthens collaboration between:

• Civil society organizations
• Victims and survivors of war
• State institutions
• Archival and memorial organizations

It aims to preserve evidence, support victims, and ensure long-term documentation of war-related events.

Core Objectives of the Programme

The grant focuses on strengthening victim support systems and preserving war memory.

Key Objectives

• Support self-organization of war victims and their families
• Strengthen communication between civil society and state institutions
• Preserve databases and archives of international crimes
• Develop national memory and memorialization policies
• Promote transitional justice mechanisms
• Document and disseminate verified war-related information
• Establish ethical standards for victim documentation

Thematic Areas of Support

1. Victim Support and Self-Organization

• Formation and strengthening of victim associations
• Support networks for families of victims
• Engagement with government institutions

2. Documentation and Archiving

• Collection and preservation of war crime data
• Development of digital and physical archives
• Maintenance of structured databases

3. Transitional Justice

• Research and development of justice mechanisms
• Addressing consequences of armed aggression
• Policy advocacy for accountability

4. Public Awareness and Advocacy

• Production of fact-based information materials
• Dissemination of verified documentation
• Advocacy campaigns on war-related issues

5. Institutional Cooperation

• Collaboration between state and non-state archival bodies
• Development of shared standards and methodologies
• Coordination of memorialization initiatives

Target Applicants

Eligible Organizations

• Non-profit organizations registered under Ukrainian law
• Organizations supporting war victims or their families
• Civil society groups involved in documentation and analysis of war-related events

Priority Applicants

• Victim associations
• Human rights organizations
• Archival and documentation institutions
• Memorialization and research groups

Funding Details

Grant Amount

• Minimum: 1,000,000 UAH
• Average: 2,000,000 UAH
• Maximum: 4,000,000 UAH

Total Program Budget

• 20,000,000 UAH

Project Duration

• Up to 12 months

Eligible Expenses

Funding can be used for:

• Project implementation activities
• Documentation and archiving systems
• Staff and operational costs directly related to the project
• Communication and advocacy materials
• Research and analysis activities

Non-Eligible Expenses

The grant does not cover:

• Project preparation costs
• Organizational registration expenses
• Debt repayment
• Political or religious activities
• Construction works
• Purchase of vehicles or military equipment
• Financial support to third parties

Project Requirements

Successful applications must demonstrate:

• Strong alignment with thematic priorities
• Clear and realistic project outcomes
• Proven organizational expertise
• Established partnerships or collaboration networks
• Transparent and justified budget planning

Monitoring and Reporting Requirements

Grantees are responsible for:

• Monitoring project implementation
• Evaluating project outcomes
• Submitting formal progress and final reports
• Complying with communication and branding guidelines of the International Renaissance Foundation

How It Works / Application Process

Step 1: Define Project Scope

Applicants must clearly define:

• Target groups (victims, families, institutions)
• Type of intervention (documentation, support, advocacy)

Step 2: Build Partnerships

Projects should include:

• Collaboration with state institutions
• Coordination with archival and memorial organizations
• Civil society partnerships

Step 3: Prepare Proposal

Include:

• Clear objectives and outcomes
• Methodology and implementation plan
• Budget aligned with eligible costs
• Risk and compliance considerations

Step 4: Submission and Evaluation

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Relevance to program priorities
• Organizational capacity
• Feasibility of proposed outcomes
• Quality of partnerships
• Budget justification

Step 5: Implementation

Selected organizations:

• Implement project activities over up to 12 months
• Monitor progress and outcomes
• Submit required reports

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Including ineligible costs in the budget
• Weak alignment with war memory or victim support objectives
• Lack of credible documentation or archival strategy
• Poorly defined outcomes or unrealistic targets
• Missing partnerships with key stakeholders
• Insufficient compliance with reporting requirements

Why This Grant Matters

This initiative is important because it:

• Supports victims of war and their families
• Preserves critical evidence of war-related crimes
• Strengthens transitional justice systems
• Builds national memory and historical accountability
• Enhances cooperation between civil society and government
• Ensures ethical documentation of conflict experiences

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the purpose of this grant?

It supports civil society organizations working to assist war victims and preserve documentation of war-related crimes and events.

2. Who can apply?

Non-profit organizations registered in Ukraine that support victims or document war-related information.

3. What is the funding amount?

Grants range from 1,000,000 to 4,000,000 UAH, with an average of 2,000,000 UAH.

4. What is the project duration?

Projects can run for up to 12 months.

5. What activities are supported?

Victim support, war crime documentation, archiving, advocacy, transitional justice research, and memorialization efforts.

6. What expenses are not allowed?

Costs related to registration, debt repayment, political activities, construction, vehicles, or military equipment are not eligible.

7. Who manages the program?

The grant competition is managed by the International Renaissance Foundation.

Conclusion

The Protection of Victims and Preservation of War Memory Grant is a structured funding opportunity designed to strengthen Ukraine’s civil society response to war-related trauma and documentation needs. By supporting victim organizations, archival systems, and transitional justice initiatives, the program helps preserve historical memory while advancing accountability and long-term social healing.