Call for Proposals: Strengthening Community Capacity (Ukraine)

The Partnership for a Strong Ukraine (PFRU) program is funding community-based organizations in Ukraine to improve participatory recovery planning and service prioritization. The grants support inclusive consultation processes involving vulnerable groups such as IDPs, veterans, older adults, youth, and persons with disabilities. Projects focus on structured data collection, community engagement, and evidence-based decision-making to strengthen local governance and recovery efforts.

Overview of the Programme

The Partnership for a Strong Ukraine (PFRU) initiative is launching a call for proposals to strengthen community participation in recovery planning across PFRU-2 target regions in Ukraine.

The program supports structured, inclusive, and data-driven approaches to help local communities identify and prioritize recovery and service delivery needs.

Core Objectives

The grant aims to:

• Strengthen community resilience and recovery planning
• Improve participatory decision-making processes
• Enhance transparency and accountability in local governance
• Support inclusive engagement of vulnerable populations
• Build trust between citizens and local authorities
• Improve evidence-based recovery prioritization

Priority Focus Areas

Inclusive Community Engagement

• Participation of citizens in recovery planning
• Structured public consultations
• Focus groups and community meetings

Vulnerable Group Inclusion

Priority inclusion of:

• Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
• Veterans
• Persons with disabilities
• Older adults (60+)
• Youth populations

Governance and Accountability

• Transparent decision-making systems
• Strengthened local governance capacity
• Citizen feedback integration

Data-Driven Recovery Planning

• Structured surveys and data collection
• Evidence-based prioritization methods
• Analytical reporting for decision-making

Key Methodology

Selected organizations must implement the PFRU Prioritization Methodology, which includes:

• Community surveys
• Focus group discussions
• Public validation meetings
• Data synthesis and reporting
• Validation of community recovery priorities

Implementation Structure

Stage 1: Preparation

• Project design and coordination
• Training on Prioritization Methodology
• Stakeholder alignment with local authorities

Stage 2: Community Engagement

• Surveys and consultations
• Focus group discussions
• Public meetings and validation sessions
• Inclusion of vulnerable groups

Stage 3: Analysis and Reporting

• Data analysis and interpretation
• Preparation of bilingual reports (Ukrainian and English)
• Documentation of lessons learned
• Presentation of findings to program stakeholders

Cross-Cutting Principles

GEDSI Integration

Projects must apply GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) principles to ensure:

• Equal participation opportunities
• Balanced representation in consultations
• Protection of vulnerable groups
• Inclusive decision-making processes

Collaboration Requirements

Grantees must work with:

• Local governments
• Community coordinators
• Regional advisors
• Civil society organizations
• Related PFRU-supported initiatives

Funding Structure

Number of Grants

• 2 grants expected to be awarded

Grant Duration

• Up to 6 months per project

Funding Modality

• Cost-reimbursed grants OR
• Fixed-amount milestone-based grants

Estimated Budget

• Starting from approximately 17,800,000 UAH per grant
• Final amount may vary based on proposal and negotiation

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong experience in participatory community engagement
• Expertise in stakeholder consultation processes
• Capacity for community-based recovery planning
• Familiarity with PFRU-2 operational regions
• Ability to apply structured prioritization methodologies
• Capacity to produce analytical and actionable reports

Why This Programme Matters

This initiative supports:

• Improved transparency in local governance
• Stronger citizen participation in recovery processes
• Better targeting of recovery investments
• Inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized populations
• Strengthened trust between citizens and authorities
• Data-driven and accountable decision-making systems

How the Programme Works

1. Organizations apply with participatory recovery proposal
2. Selected grantees receive training on methodology
3. Community engagement activities are implemented
4. Data is collected through structured consultations
5. Analysis and bilingual reporting are completed
6. Findings are shared with local authorities and stakeholders
7. Recovery priorities are refined based on evidence

Tips for Strong Applications

• Demonstrate proven experience in community engagement
• Show ability to work with vulnerable populations
• Clearly outline data collection and analysis methods
• Include strong coordination with local governments
• Apply GEDSI principles across all project stages
• Ensure feasibility within 6-month timeframe
• Provide clear reporting and validation processes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak or unclear community engagement methodology
• Lack of experience in participatory planning
• Failure to integrate vulnerable groups
• Poor understanding of local governance context
• Inadequate data analysis or reporting capacity
• Overly complex designs unsuitable for 6-month implementation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the goal of this program?

To strengthen participatory recovery planning and service prioritization in Ukrainian communities.

2. Who funds this initiative?

The Partnership for a Strong Ukraine (PFRU) program.

3. How many grants will be awarded?

Two grants are expected.

4. What is the funding amount?

Approximately 17,800,000 UAH per grant (subject to change).

5. How long do projects last?

Up to 6 months.

6. Who must be included in consultations?

Vulnerable groups including IDPs, veterans, youth, older adults, and persons with disabilities.

7. What outputs are required?

Bilingual analytical reports, validated community priorities, and documented lessons learned.

Conclusion

The Partnership for a Strong Ukraine (PFRU) community prioritization grants strengthen local recovery systems by promoting inclusive, data-driven, and transparent decision-making. By engaging vulnerable populations and local authorities, the program enhances trust, accountability, and the effectiveness of recovery planning in Ukraine’s PFRU-2 regions.