Competition for 10 Organizations to Monitor Disability Rights (Ukraine)

The League of the Strong is inviting organizations of people with disabilities in Ukraine to participate in a training and sub-granting initiative focused on monitoring disability rights. Ten organizations will receive training, monitoring tools, and expert support, while five organizations will be awarded **sub-grants of €2,200 each to conduct local monitoring activities that contribute to Ukraine’s human rights commitments and European Union integration.

About the Program

The League of the Strong has launched an open competition to strengthen the capacity of organizations of people with disabilities in Ukraine to monitor the implementation of disability rights. The initiative supports evidence-based monitoring of the rights of persons with disabilities and contributes to Ukraine’s progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and advancing toward European Union membership.

The programme combines capacity building, practical monitoring, expert mentoring, and financial support to enable participating organizations to conduct independent rights-based assessments within their communities.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Monitor the observance of the rights of people with disabilities.
• Assess the implementation of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Analyze how disability rights are implemented across different sectors.
• Promote inclusive and accessible communities.
• Strengthen the monitoring capacity of disability organizations.
• Collect and verify reliable monitoring data.
• Prepare an independent report for the European Commission.
• Support Ukraine’s human rights commitments as part of its European Union integration process.

Focus Areas

Projects and monitoring activities will focus on:

• Disability rights monitoring.
• Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Inclusive and accessible environments.
• Assessment of disability rights in different sectors.
• Data collection and verification.
• Human rights monitoring.
• Evidence-based recommendations for public authorities.
• Regional comparisons of disability rights implementation.

Program Activities

Selected organizations will participate in:

• Training on the monitoring methodology.
• A three-day offline training programme.
• Continuous expert mentoring throughout the project.
• Practical monitoring exercises.
• Data collection and verification activities.
• Preparation of monitoring findings and recommendations.

Sub-Grant Opportunity

Following successful completion of the training programme:

• Five organizations will receive sub-grants of €2,200 each.

The funding will support local monitoring activities within participating communities.

Participant Support

Selected organizations will receive:

• A practical monitoring methodology.
• Monitoring and data collection tools.
• Information verification tools.
• A three-day offline training programme.
• Ongoing expert guidance during the research process.
• Financial support for participation in programme activities.

Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to:

• Organizations of people with disabilities operating in Ukraine.

The programme seeks organizations that:

• Have a strong understanding of the needs and challenges within their communities.
• Work directly with specific groups of people with disabilities.
• Can contribute meaningful local knowledge to the monitoring process.

Selection Process

The League of the Strong will select:

• 10 organizations from different regions of Ukraine.

These organizations will participate in the full training and monitoring programme.

Following the training, five organizations will be selected to receive sub-grants for local monitoring activities.

Monitoring Process

The monitoring activities will examine:

• How effectively the rights of people with disabilities are protected within communities.
• Compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
• Alignment with European human rights standards.
• Systemic barriers affecting people with disabilities.
• Regional differences in disability rights implementation.

The findings will be used to:

• Identify gaps in implementation.
• Compare conditions across Ukraine.
• Develop recommendations for public authorities.
• Contribute to an independent report for the European Commission.

Information Session

An open information session is expected to take place around 9–10 July.

The session will cover:

• Competition requirements.
• Monitoring methodology.
• Programme expectations.
• Questions from prospective applicants.

Program Benefits

The initiative enables participating organizations to:

• Strengthen monitoring and advocacy skills.
• Improve knowledge of international disability rights standards.
• Gain practical experience in evidence-based monitoring.
• Receive expert mentoring throughout the project.
• Build organizational capacity.
• Access financial support for local monitoring activities.
• Contribute to national and European human rights reporting.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their application by:

• Demonstrating experience working with people with disabilities.
• Showing strong knowledge of local disability issues.
• Explaining how they engage with their communities.
• Highlighting previous advocacy or monitoring activities.
• Demonstrating the capacity to collect reliable information.
• Showing commitment to improving disability rights and inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply?

Organizations of people with disabilities operating in Ukraine are eligible to apply.

How many organizations will be selected?

A total of 10 organizations from different regions of Ukraine will participate in the training programme.

Is funding available?

Yes. Following successful completion of the training, five organizations will each receive a €2,200 sub-grant to conduct local monitoring activities.

What support will participants receive?

Participants will receive a monitoring methodology, data collection tools, a three-day offline training programme, expert mentoring, and financial support for participation.

What will the monitoring activities examine?

The monitoring will assess how well the rights of people with disabilities are being upheld in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and European human rights standards.

Is there an information session?

Yes. An open information session is expected around 9–10 July, where applicants can learn about the competition requirements, monitoring methodology, and application process.

Conclusion

The League of the Strong’s Training and Sub-Granting Initiative provides organizations of people with disabilities in Ukraine with an opportunity to strengthen their monitoring capacity, contribute to national and European human rights reporting, and advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility. Through specialized training, expert mentoring, and €2,200 sub-grants for selected organizations, the programme supports evidence-based monitoring that advances disability rights and Ukraine’s progress toward European Union standards.