Open Call: Socially Important Initiatives Grant Competition (Ukraine)

The Youth of Ukraine, in partnership with DanChurchAid (DCA) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) with financial support from DANIDA, has launched the second wave of its grant competition to support socially important initiatives in Ukraine’s Kherson region. The program offers grants of up to UAH 450,000 for projects that improve social services, strengthen community resilience, enhance humanitarian assistance, and address challenges resulting from the ongoing war.

Youth of Ukraine Grant Competition 2026

About the Grant Competition

The Youth of Ukraine Grant Competition aims to strengthen communities across the Kherson region by supporting local organizations that deliver essential services and humanitarian assistance.

The initiative focuses on improving the quality of life for residents while helping communities recover from the impacts of war. Through financial support, the program enables organizations to expand social services, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen community resilience, and create safer environments for vulnerable populations.

The competition is implemented by Youth of Ukraine in partnership with DanChurchAid (DCA) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) with funding from DANIDA.

Funding Information

Successful applicants may receive:

• Maximum grant amount: UAH 450,000
• Project duration: Up to 3 months
• Expected implementation period: September–December 2026

Program Objectives

The competition aims to:

• Improve the quality of life for communities in the Kherson region.
• Expand access to essential social services.
• Strengthen community resilience to the impacts of war.
• Support humanitarian response activities.
• Improve emergency preparedness.
• Create safer community spaces.
• Enhance the operational capacity of local organizations.
• Increase access to critical equipment and resources.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects may focus on one or more of the following priorities:

Community Resilience

• Strengthening community resilience
• Supporting recovery from war-related challenges
• Improving local response capacity

Social Services

• Expanding existing social services
• Improving the quality of community services
• Developing new socially important services

Safe Spaces

• Repairing shelters
• Equipping shelters
• Establishing safe community spaces
• Improving protective infrastructure

Humanitarian Assistance

• Humanitarian support
• Emergency response
• Community assistance initiatives

Operational Capacity

Funding may support:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Equipment for employees and volunteers
• Mobile brigades
• Field teams
• Furniture
• Machinery
• Technical equipment
• Tools
• Material and technical resources

Expected Project Outcomes

Supported projects should contribute to:

• Better access to social services.
• Improved humanitarian assistance.
• Stronger community preparedness.
• Safer shelters and community spaces.
• Better equipped response teams.
• Improved service delivery.
• Enhanced resilience of vulnerable communities.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-profit organizations
• Public organizations
• Charitable organizations
• Charitable foundations
• Municipal non-profit enterprises
• Municipal institutions
• Municipal establishments

Geographic Eligibility

All proposed activities must be implemented within the Kherson region of Ukraine.

Selection Process

The competition consists of two stages.

Stage 1: Technical Review

Applications will be checked for:

• Compliance with competition requirements
• Eligibility of the applicant
• Completeness of application documents
• Administrative compliance

Only eligible applications will move to the next stage.

Stage 2: Expert Evaluation

The Selection Committee will assess proposals based on:

• Project quality
• Relevance to program priorities
• Technical feasibility
• Expected community impact
• Overall evaluation criteria using a scoring system

Why This Grant Matters

Communities in the Kherson region continue to face significant humanitarian and recovery challenges resulting from the ongoing war. Strengthening local organizations is essential for restoring services, supporting vulnerable populations, and building long-term resilience.

This grant enables local actors to respond quickly to community needs while improving infrastructure, expanding social support, and strengthening local response systems.

How to Apply

Organizations should follow these steps:

1. Review the competition guidelines and eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm that your organization is eligible to apply.
3. Develop a project that addresses one or more priority areas.
4. Prepare all required application documents.
5. Ensure the proposed activities will take place in the Kherson region.
6. Submit the complete application before the deadline.
7. Participate in the technical review and expert evaluation process if shortlisted.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Clearly explain the community problem your project addresses.
• Demonstrate measurable community impact.
• Show how the project strengthens resilience and service delivery.
• Present a realistic budget and timeline.
• Explain how equipment or infrastructure investments will improve services.
• Highlight partnerships with local stakeholders where relevant.
• Ensure all application documents are complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

• Submitting incomplete application documents.
• Proposing activities outside the Kherson region.
• Failing to demonstrate community impact.
• Requesting funding for activities unrelated to the program priorities.
• Providing unrealistic budgets or implementation plans.
• Omitting details about project sustainability or operational capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the grant?

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, public organizations, charitable organizations and foundations, municipal non-profit enterprises, and municipal institutions operating in Ukraine.

How much funding is available?

Each selected project may receive up to UAH 450,000.

How long can projects run?

Projects may be implemented for up to three months, with activities expected to take place between September and December 2026.

Where must projects be implemented?

All funded activities must be carried out within the Kherson region.

What types of projects are supported?

The program supports projects related to social services, humanitarian assistance, community resilience, shelters and safe spaces, emergency preparedness, operational equipment, and volunteer support.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications first undergo a technical eligibility review. Eligible proposals are then evaluated by an expert Selection Committee using a scoring system.

Can funding be used to purchase equipment?

Yes. Funding may be used for eligible equipment, furniture, machinery, tools, personal protective equipment, and other material and technical resources needed to deliver project activities.

Conclusion

The Youth of Ukraine Grant Competition 2026 provides an important funding opportunity for organizations working in the Kherson region to strengthen community resilience and improve essential services in areas affected by war. With grants of up to UAH 450,000, the program supports practical, community-driven initiatives that enhance humanitarian response, expand social services, improve shelters and safe spaces, and build stronger local capacities for long-term recovery.