Deadline: 29-Jan-2026

The European Commission has launched a strategic call for proposals to empower civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ukraine, strengthening democratic resilience, social cohesion, and inclusive development. The programme targets organisations of all sizes, particularly medium, small, and grassroots groups, and encourages partnerships and sub-granting to drive sustainable reform and community impact. Funding ranges from EUR 1–2.5 million per project, enabling long-term, high-impact initiatives across five thematic areas: women and gender, media, human rights, social cohesion, and youth.

EU Call for Proposals: Strengthening Civil Society in Ukraine

Overview

The European Commission is investing in Ukraine’s civil society at a critical time, as the country faces ongoing conflict impacts and EU accession reforms. The programme seeks to strengthen local leadership, promote diverse voices, and enhance the capacity of CSOs to contribute to democratic, inclusive, and resilient communities.

This call focuses on medium, small, and grassroots organisations nationwide, including those outside Kyiv, to ensure broad participation and community-rooted solutions.

Why It Matters

Empowered civil society plays a crucial role in:

• Promoting democratic resilience and participatory governance

• Supporting social cohesion and inclusion for vulnerable populations

• Advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality

• Strengthening independent media and human rights advocacy

• Encouraging community engagement in policy-making and service delivery

Thematic Focus Areas & Funding

The programme is divided into five priority lots:

1. Women & Gender

   • Objective: Strengthen women’s organisations and movements reducing gender inequalities.

   • Funding: EUR 2,000,000 – 2,500,000

2. Media

   • Objective: Support independent, credible, and sustainable media outlets.

   • Funding: EUR 1,000,000 – 1,500,000

3. Human Rights

   • Objective: Combat violations, discrimination, and promote social inclusion.

   • Funding: EUR 1,000,000 – 1,500,000

4. Social Cohesion

   • Objective: Empower organisations to provide services to vulnerable groups and strengthen ties between communities and authorities.

   • Funding: EUR 1,000,000 – 1,500,000

5. Youth

   • Objective: Enhance resilience, integration, and capacities for young people, particularly internally displaced.

   • Funding: EUR 1,000,000 – 1,500,000

Total indicative budget: EUR 17 million across all lots.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened civil society structures and organisational capacities

• Enhanced policy engagement and participatory decision-making

• Deepened citizen participation and equitable development

• Effective partnerships and sub-granting to support smaller or grassroots organisations

• Sustainable impact on social cohesion, democracy, and rights protection

Who is Eligible?

• Legal civil society organisations operating in Ukraine

• Medium, small, and grassroots CSOs, including affiliated entities meeting eligibility standards

• Organisations capable of managing projects effectively and ensuring accountability

• Applicants may apply individually or in partnership

How to Apply / How it Works

1. Select a Thematic Area: Choose the lot that aligns with your organisation’s mission.

2. Develop a Proposal: Outline objectives, expected outcomes, and sub-granting strategy.

3. Establish Partnerships: Collaborate with other CSOs for broader impact.

4. Prepare Documentation: Include organisational credentials, project plan, and results-based framework.

5. Submit Application: Follow European Commission guidelines for online submission.

6. Evaluation: Proposals are assessed on relevance, feasibility, sustainability, and organisational capacity.

Tips for Applicants

• Emphasise local leadership and community-rooted approaches

• Define measurable objectives and long-term impact indicators

• Include sub-granting strategies to support smaller or emerging organisations

• Align proposals with EU reform priorities and social development goals

• Highlight prior experience managing large projects and partnerships

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting sub-granting requirements

• Submitting incomplete or unclear proposals

• Failing to define measurable outcomes

• Weak partnership structure or limited community engagement

• Misalignment with thematic priorities or reform objectives

FAQ

1. Who can apply?
Medium, small, and grassroots CSOs in Ukraine, including affiliated entities meeting eligibility criteria.

2. What thematic areas are included?
Women & gender, media, human rights, social cohesion, and youth.

3. Can organisations outside Kyiv participate?
Yes, nationwide participation is encouraged.

4. Is sub-granting required?
Yes, sub-granting is compulsory to support smaller CSOs.

5. What is the project duration?
Projects must run for 30–36 months.

6. Can organisations apply individually or in partnership?
Both options are permitted, provided applicants demonstrate capacity to implement activities.

7. What is the funding range per project?
EUR 2–2.5 million for Lot 1 (Women & Gender); EUR 1–1.5 million for Lots 2–5 (Media, Human Rights, Social Cohesion, Youth).

Conclusion

This European Commission call offers a strategic platform for Ukraine’s civil society to drive reforms, foster inclusive development, strengthen local governance, and deliver sustainable impact. By supporting partnerships, grassroots engagement, and capacity-building, the programme contributes to a resilient and democratic Ukraine.

For more information, visit European Commission.