Apply for Democratic Dialogues Grant Competition (Ukraine)

The Democratic Dialogues Grant Competition, launched by Democracy Reporting International (DRI) Ukraine, provides grants of up to €5,000 to support local initiatives that strengthen democratic participation, inclusive governance, and public dialogue in Ukrainian communities. The programme funds projects developed through community consultations and Democratic Cafes to promote social cohesion, transparency, citizen engagement, and inclusive local recovery.

Program Overview: Funding for Local Democratic Participation in Ukraine

The Democratic Dialogues Grant Competition supports community-led initiatives that strengthen democratic governance, civic participation, and social resilience across Ukraine.

The programme recognizes the important role of local communities in improving governance, encouraging citizen participation, and supporting inclusive recovery during and after the impacts of war.

Key Objectives of the Grant

Promote democratic participation
Strengthen inclusive local governance
Encourage public dialogue between citizens and authorities
Improve accountability and transparency
Support community recovery and resilience
Foster social cohesion
Increase participation of underrepresented groups in local decision-making

Priority Focus Areas

Democratic Participation

Public participation mechanisms
Local democracy initiatives
Civic engagement
Participatory governance

Inclusive Governance

Transparent decision-making
Public accountability
Citizen oversight
Inclusive policy development

Social Cohesion

Community dialogue
Conflict-sensitive engagement
Integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Reintegration of veterans

Youth Participation

Youth leadership
Youth involvement in local decision-making
Civic education
Community engagement

Community Recovery

Inclusive recovery initiatives
Local resilience
Community collaboration
Democratic recovery planning

Communication and Education

Public awareness campaigns
Educational activities
Democracy education
Community communication initiatives

Funding Structure

Grant Amount

Maximum grant: €5,000

Budget Requirements

Applicants must:

Submit budgets in both Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) and euros (€)
Use the European Commission exchange rate applicable at the time of application

Financial Responsibilities

Successful applicants are responsible for:

Paying applicable taxes
Meeting all financial and narrative reporting requirements
Complying with Ukrainian legislation

How the Competition Works

Stage 1: Democratic Cafes

Applicants organize local Democratic Cafes, bringing together:

Local government representatives
Civil society organizations
Active citizens
Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
Veterans
Youth
Other relevant stakeholders

The discussions focus on:

Democratic participation
Local governance
Social cohesion
Community recovery
Local challenges and priorities

Stage 2: Local Initiative Implementation

Based on the outcomes of the Democratic Cafes, applicants implement practical initiatives such as:

Public consultations
Recommendations for local authorities
Public participation mechanisms
Community engagement activities
Local democracy initiatives
Other actions addressing identified community priorities

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants should be capable of organizing community dialogue and implementing local democratic initiatives in Ukraine.

Applicants must:

Develop initiatives based on priorities identified during Democratic Cafes
Submit budgets in both UAH and euros
Comply with Ukrainian legal and reporting requirements
Manage grant funds responsibly

Eligible Activities

The programme supports:

Democratic Cafes
Public consultations
Community dialogue events
Citizen participation initiatives
Local governance projects
Youth engagement activities
Veteran reintegration initiatives
IDP integration projects
Accountability and transparency initiatives
Civic education campaigns
Development of local democracy tools
Recommendations for public authorities

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Identify Community Needs

Assess local governance challenges and democratic participation priorities.

Step 2: Organize a Democratic Cafe

Bring together key local stakeholders to identify community needs and develop practical solutions.

Step 3: Design a Local Initiative

Develop a project based on the priorities identified during the Democratic Cafe.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Prepare a detailed budget in:

Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)
Euros (€) using the European Commission exchange rate

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the application and submit all required documentation.

Step 6: Project Assessment

Applications are evaluated based on:

Community relevance
Democratic impact
Feasibility
Inclusiveness
Sustainability
Quality of implementation

Step 7: Implement the Project

Successful applicants carry out approved activities and complete all reporting obligations.

Importance of the Grant (Why It Matters)

The Democratic Dialogues Grant Competition helps:

Strengthen democratic governance
Increase citizen participation
Improve transparency and accountability
Support inclusive community recovery
Build trust between citizens and local authorities
Promote social cohesion
Empower youth, veterans, and internally displaced persons
Foster resilient local communities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting budgets in only one currency
Ignoring the outcomes of the Democratic Cafe when designing the project
Proposing activities unrelated to democratic participation
Failing to involve diverse community stakeholders
Providing unclear implementation plans
Missing financial or reporting requirements
Overlooking local governance priorities

Tips for a Strong Application

Demonstrate strong community engagement
Clearly explain local governance challenges
Include diverse stakeholder participation
Present practical and achievable solutions
Show measurable democratic outcomes
Prepare a realistic and transparent budget
Explain how the initiative will strengthen long-term democratic participation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much funding is available?

Applicants can receive grants of up to €5,000.

2. What is the purpose of the programme?

The programme supports local initiatives that strengthen democratic participation, inclusive governance, public dialogue, and community resilience in Ukraine.

3. What are Democratic Cafes?

Democratic Cafes are community dialogue events where local governments, civil society organizations, citizens, youth, veterans, and internally displaced persons discuss local governance challenges and identify community priorities.

4. What types of projects are eligible?

Projects may include public consultations, democracy education, community dialogue, public participation tools, recommendations for local authorities, and initiatives that improve local democratic governance.

5. How should the budget be prepared?

Budgets must be submitted in both Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) and euros (€) using the applicable European Commission exchange rate.

6. What responsibilities do successful applicants have?

Grant recipients must implement the approved project, comply with Ukrainian legislation, pay applicable taxes, and complete all required financial and narrative reporting.

7. Why is this programme important?

The competition supports inclusive local governance, strengthens democratic institutions, promotes citizen engagement, and contributes to social cohesion and community recovery across Ukraine.

Conclusion

The Democratic Dialogues Grant Competition provides funding for community-led initiatives that promote democratic participation, inclusive governance, and meaningful public dialogue in Ukraine. By supporting locally developed solutions through Democratic Cafes and practical follow-up initiatives, the programme strengthens civic engagement, improves accountability, fosters social cohesion, and helps build resilient communities prepared for long-term democratic recovery.