Call for Proposals: Training Project with Mini-Grants for CSOs (Ukraine)

The NGO VI “Kharkiv Station” Training Project with Mini-Grants supports civil society organizations (CSOs) in frontline communities of Ukraine through capacity-building, mentorship, and funding opportunities. Eligible CSOs from Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv regions can participate in a comprehensive training program and compete for mini-grants of USD 5,000 to implement community projects.

NGO VI “Kharkiv Station” Training Project with Mini-Grants

The NGO VI “Kharkiv Station” Training Project with Mini-Grants is designed to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and effectiveness of civil society organizations operating in Ukraine’s frontline communities.

Implemented with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the initiative equips local organizations with practical knowledge, mentoring, and funding opportunities to improve community engagement and organizational sustainability.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations.
• Improve organizational resilience in frontline communities.
• Promote participatory democracy.
• Enhance community participation in local decision-making.
• Strengthen organizational development and project management.
• Improve internal and external communications.
• Increase operational security.
• Build digital skills through the use of modern digital tools.

Training Program

Participants will complete a two-month training program that includes:

• A four-day offline training session.
• Five online seminars.

In addition, participants will receive:

• Eight online webinars.
• Weekly consultations with online experts for five months.
• A two-day offline conference for networking, knowledge sharing, and exchanging experiences with other civil society organizations.

Mini-Grant Opportunity

Upon completing the training program, participating organizations may apply for a competitive grant proposal process.

Successful organizations can receive:

• USD 5,000 to implement a mini-project within their community.

Mini-projects should contribute to community development and align with the objectives of the program.

Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to:

• Active civil society organizations (CSOs).

Organizations must be located in territorial communities within one of the following Ukrainian regions:

• Kharkiv.
• Sumy.
• Chernihiv.
• Dnipropetrovsk.
• Mykolaiv.

Eligible Focus Areas

The program supports initiatives related to:

• Organizational development.
• Civil society capacity building.
• Participatory democracy.
• Community participation in governance.
• Project planning and implementation.
• Internal communications.
• External communications.
• Operational security.
• Digital transformation and modern digital tools.

Participant Support

For all offline activities, the program provides:

• Accommodation.
• Meals.
• Travel reimbursement.

This support enables organizations from eligible regions to fully participate in the training and networking events.

Program Benefits

The training project helps organizations to:

• Strengthen institutional capacity.
• Improve project management skills.
• Build organizational resilience.
• Enhance communication strategies.
• Increase community engagement.
• Expand professional networks.
• Access funding for community initiatives.
• Strengthen long-term organizational sustainability.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their participation by:

• Demonstrating active involvement in their local community.
• Explaining their organization’s development needs.
• Showing a commitment to participatory democracy.
• Highlighting previous community initiatives.
• Demonstrating readiness to apply new knowledge through a mini-project.
• Preparing a realistic and community-focused project concept for the grant competition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the training project?

Active civil society organizations located in territorial communities of Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv regions are eligible to participate.

Is funding available?

Yes. After completing the training program, participating organizations may compete for mini-grants of USD 5,000 to implement community projects.

What does the training program include?

The program includes a four-day offline training session, five online seminars, eight online webinars, five months of weekly expert consultations, and a two-day offline networking conference.

What costs are covered?

The program covers accommodation, meals, and travel reimbursement for all offline events.

What topics are covered during the training?

Training focuses on organizational development, participatory democracy, project management, communications, operational security, community engagement, and digital tools.

Who supports the program?

The initiative is implemented with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Conclusion

The NGO VI “Kharkiv Station” Training Project with Mini-Grants offers civil society organizations in frontline regions of Ukraine an opportunity to strengthen their organizational capacity through intensive training, expert mentoring, and networking. With USD 5,000 mini-grants available for selected participants, the program empowers local organizations to implement community-focused initiatives that promote resilience, participatory democracy, and sustainable development in some of Ukraine’s most affected regions.