Deadline: 05-Jul-2026
The CHANGE Programme provides small grants to grassroots civil society organizations in Kazakhstan to strengthen institutional capacity and improve prevention and response systems for gender-based violence (GBV). Funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women, UNDP, and UNFPA, the programme supports organizational development, staff training, advocacy systems, and women’s leadership.
Grants range from USD 2,500 to USD 8,000 and focus on improving internal systems, coordination, and GBV-related service delivery capacity among eligible civil society organizations.
Programme Overview
The CHANGE Programme is a UN multi-country initiative operating across five Central Asian countries.
It is implemented by:
- UN Women
- UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
- UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)
The programme is funded by the European Union and aims to address the root causes of gender-based violence through systemic and community-level interventions.
In Kazakhstan, the programme provides targeted small grants to strengthen grassroots civil society organizations working on GBV prevention and response.
Programme Objectives
The CHANGE Programme aims to:
- Strengthen institutional capacity of civil society organizations.
- Improve prevention and response to gender-based violence.
- Enhance coordination and knowledge sharing among organizations.
- Promote women’s leadership and participation in decision-making.
- Support advocacy on gender equality and GBV prevention.
- Strengthen organizational systems, tools, and processes.
- Build sustainable learning and management systems.
- Empower grassroots women’s organizations.
Key Focus Areas
Institutional Capacity Strengthening
The programme supports improvements in organizational systems and structures, including:
- Governance systems and internal policies
- Operational tools and workflows
- Strategic planning frameworks
- Monitoring and evaluation systems
Technical and Managerial Skills Development
Funding can be used to improve staff competencies through:
- Training in GBV prevention and response
- Leadership and management development
- Capacity building for programme implementation
- Technical skill development for service delivery
Coordination and Knowledge Management
The programme supports stronger collaboration and information sharing, including:
- Multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms
- Knowledge documentation and dissemination
- Learning systems within organizations
- Partnership development with other CSOs
Women’s Leadership and Empowerment
A key priority is strengthening women’s leadership in civil society:
- Leadership development programmes
- Women’s participation in governance structures
- Decision-making capacity building
- Support for women-led organisations
GBV Prevention and Response
The programme focuses on improving organizational effectiveness in addressing GBV through:
- Survivor support systems
- Community outreach and prevention activities
- Advocacy on gender equality
- Engagement with vulnerable groups
Funding Information
Grant Size
- Minimum: USD 2,500
- Maximum: USD 8,000
These small grants are designed for targeted institutional capacity-building activities.
Equipment Costs
- Equipment purchases are allowed.
- Equipment must not exceed 30% of the total grant amount.
Eligible Activities
Funding may be used for:
Organizational Systems and Tools
- Development or improvement of internal systems
- Digital tools for case management or coordination
- Monitoring and evaluation systems
- Administrative and governance improvements
Staff Training and Capacity Building
- GBV prevention and response training
- Leadership and management training
- Technical skill development
- Organizational development workshops
Equipment and Infrastructure (Limited)
- Basic office or operational equipment
- Technology tools supporting programme delivery
- Equipment directly linked to GBV work (within 30% cap)
Coordination and Advocacy
- Multi-stakeholder coordination activities
- Advocacy campaigns on GBV prevention
- Knowledge-sharing initiatives
- Community engagement activities
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Registered civil society organizations in Kazakhstan
- At least 3 years of operational experience
- Active engagement in GBV prevention and response
- Experience working with:
- Women and girls
- Survivors of violence
- Vulnerable populations
Organizational Requirements
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- Strong financial management capacity
- Ability to implement projects within required timelines
- Experience collaborating with stakeholders
- Compliance with UN eligibility standards
Ineligible Applicants
The following are not eligible:
- Government institutions
- UN agencies and bodies
- Organizations with conflicts of interest under programme rules
- Entities not meeting registration or experience requirements
Programme Implementation Context
The CHANGE Programme operates as part of a broader regional effort to:
- Address root causes of gender-based violence
- Strengthen civil society leadership
- Improve coordination between stakeholders
- Promote systemic and sustainable change
It engages:
- Governments
- Civil society organizations
- Youth groups
- Religious and community leaders
- Media organizations
- Local communities
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
- Strengthen organizational capacity of CSOs.
- Improve GBV prevention and response systems.
- Enhance leadership and coordination within civil society.
- Improve internal governance and management systems.
- Support long-term sustainability of GBV-focused organizations.
Why This Programme Matters
Gender-based violence remains a critical social issue in Central Asia, requiring coordinated and sustained responses.
This programme helps by:
- Strengthening grassroots organisations closest to affected communities.
- Improving institutional readiness and sustainability.
- Supporting women’s leadership in civil society.
- Enhancing coordination across GBV response systems.
- Building long-term capacity rather than short-term interventions.
How the Application Process Works
Step 1: Eligibility Verification
Organizations confirm:
- Registration status
- Minimum 3 years of experience
- GBV-related operational focus
Step 2: Proposal Development
Applicants outline:
- Institutional capacity gaps
- Proposed strengthening activities
- Training or system improvements
- Expected outcomes
Step 3: Budget Preparation
Applicants must ensure:
- Alignment with USD 2,500–8,000 range
- Equipment costs within 30% limit
- Clear justification of expenses
Step 4: Submission
Applications are submitted under UN Women/CHANGE Programme guidelines.
Step 5: Review and Selection
Proposals are evaluated based on:
- Relevance to GBV prevention
- Organizational capacity
- Feasibility
- Expected institutional impact
Selection Criteria
Applications are assessed on:
Institutional Strength
- Organizational maturity and governance
- Financial and operational capacity
GBV Relevance
- Direct engagement in GBV prevention/response
- Experience with vulnerable groups
Impact Potential
- Expected improvements in capacity
- Contribution to systemic change
Feasibility
- Realistic implementation plan
- Budget alignment and justification
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve competitiveness:
- Focus on institutional strengthening, not service delivery alone.
- Clearly describe internal system improvements.
- Demonstrate long-term sustainability of capacity gains.
- Highlight experience working with GBV survivors.
- Ensure equipment requests remain within 30% limit.
- Show strong governance and financial systems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting proposals without GBV focus.
- Over-emphasizing service delivery instead of capacity building.
- Exceeding equipment cost limits.
- Weak documentation of organizational experience.
- Lack of clear institutional improvement outcomes.
- Incomplete financial management justification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CHANGE Programme?
It is a UN multi-country initiative funded by the European Union that supports civil society organizations in strengthening capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
How much funding is available?
Grants range from USD 2,500 to USD 8,000.
Who can apply?
Registered civil society organizations in Kazakhstan with at least 3 years of experience working on GBV issues.
What is the main focus of the grant?
Institutional capacity building for GBV prevention and response, including systems, training, and coordination.
Can equipment be purchased?
Yes, but equipment costs must not exceed 30% of the total grant.
Are government organizations eligible?
No. Government entities and UN organizations are not eligible.
What kind of activities are supported?
Training, system development, coordination mechanisms, advocacy, and organizational strengthening activities.
Conclusion
The CHANGE Programme small grants initiative in Kazakhstan strengthens grassroots civil society organizations working to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence. By focusing on institutional capacity building, leadership development, and system strengthening, the programme enables organizations to deliver more effective, coordinated, and sustainable GBV responses.
Through targeted support ranging from USD 2,500 to USD 8,000, the programme reinforces the long-term resilience of women’s organizations and contributes to broader regional efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.
For more information, visit UN Women.
