Grant Competition for Human Rights Organizations and Civil Society Organizations (Ukraine)

The Center for Civil Liberties Human Rights Education Small Grants Competition provides financial support to Ukrainian civil society organizations implementing educational initiatives focused on human rights. Selected organizations can receive grants ranging from UAH 250,000 to UAH 340,000 for projects lasting 8 to 12 months to strengthen human rights education, community learning, and local organizational capacity.

Overview of the Center for Civil Liberties Human Rights Education Grants

The Center for Civil Liberties is inviting applications from human rights and civil society organizations for a small grants competition supporting educational projects focused on human rights.

The programme aims to strengthen human rights education in communities by supporting organizations that develop learning initiatives, train educators, and improve public awareness of human rights principles.

The grants are designed for organizations that work directly with communities and seek to expand access to high-quality human rights education.

Purpose of the Grant Programme

The main purpose of the competition is to provide financial support to civil society organizations implementing educational activities related to human rights.

The programme aims to:

Increase awareness of human rights issues.
Strengthen local civil society organizations.
Support community-based human rights education.
Develop trainers and educators.
Expand the capacity of organizations working in human rights fields.

Priority Areas and Supported Activities

The competition focuses on projects related to human rights education and capacity development.

Eligible project activities may include:

Human Rights Education Initiatives

Projects may support:

Educational programmes on human rights.
Workshops and training sessions.
Community learning activities.
Public awareness initiatives.
Educational resources and materials.

Capacity Building for Local Organizations

Funding may support activities that help organizations:

Improve human rights education skills.
Develop internal expertise.
Strengthen programme delivery capacity.
Build sustainable educational approaches.

Trainer Development

Projects may focus on:

Training new human rights educators.
Improving trainer skills.
Developing educational methodologies.
Supporting graduates of human rights education programmes.

Community-Based Learning Activities

Supported initiatives may include:

Local human rights workshops.
Community discussions.
Educational events.
Awareness campaigns.
Learning activities for specific groups.

Grant Amount and Duration

The grant provides funding within the following range:

Minimum grant amount: UAH 250,000
Recommended grant amount: UAH 300,000
Maximum grant amount: UAH 340,000

Project duration:

Minimum: 8 months
Maximum: 12 months

Estimated project start date:

October 2026

Who Is Eligible?

The competition is open to civil society organizations that meet the programme requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

Civil society organizations.
Charitable organizations.
Public associations.

Applicants must:

Be registered as legal entities in Ukraine.
Be included in the register of non-profit institutions and organizations.
Have experience or interest in implementing human rights education activities.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Organizations are not eligible if, at the time of signing the grant agreement, they:

Are registered in temporarily occupied territories.
Have a legal address in areas where Ukrainian state authorities temporarily do not exercise their powers.
Are located in settlements on the contact line.

Why Human Rights Education Grants Matter

Human rights education plays an important role in building informed and resilient communities.

These grants help organizations:

Increase public understanding of rights and freedoms.
Develop local human rights educators.
Support community participation.
Strengthen civil society networks.
Promote knowledge-based approaches to protecting human rights.

By supporting local organizations, the programme encourages long-term human rights awareness and community empowerment.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Develop a Human Rights Education Project Idea

Organizations should design projects that clearly explain:

The human rights issue being addressed.
The target community or participants.
The educational approach.
Expected results and impact.

Step 2: Prepare the Project Proposal

Applications should describe:

Organization background.
Project objectives.
Planned activities.
Implementation timeline.
Expected outcomes.
Project budget.

Step 3: Ensure Eligibility Compliance

Before submission, applicants should confirm:

Legal registration status.
Non-profit status.
Project alignment with human rights education priorities.
Location eligibility.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Eligible organizations should submit their project applications according to the competition requirements provided by the Center for Civil Liberties.

Project Selection Considerations

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

Relevance to human rights education goals.
Quality of the proposed activities.
Capacity of the applicant organization.
Potential community impact.
Feasibility of implementation.
Sustainability of project outcomes.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Clearly defining the target audience.
Explaining the human rights challenges being addressed.
Providing practical educational methods.
Including measurable results.
Demonstrating experience in community work.
Creating a realistic implementation plan and budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting projects unrelated to human rights education.
Providing unclear objectives.
Failing to describe community impact.
Preparing unrealistic budgets.
Ignoring eligibility requirements.
Applying from organizations located in restricted areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Center for Civil Liberties Human Rights Education Grant Competition?

The competition provides grants to Ukrainian civil society organizations implementing educational projects focused on human rights awareness, training, and community learning.

How much funding is available through the grant programme?

Applicants can request grants between UAH 250,000 and UAH 340,000, with UAH 300,000 considered the optimal grant size.

Who can apply for these grants?

Eligible applicants include Ukrainian civil society organizations, charitable organizations, and public associations registered as legal entities and recognized as non-profit organizations.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports human rights education activities, trainer development, capacity building, and community-based learning initiatives.

How long can funded projects last?

Supported projects must last between 8 and 12 months, with implementation expected to begin in October 2026.

Can organizations from temporarily occupied territories apply?

No. Organizations registered or legally located in temporarily occupied territories or restricted areas are not eligible at the time of signing the grant agreement.

What is the main goal of the programme?

The programme aims to strengthen human rights education capacity among local organizations, trainers, and communities across Ukraine.

Conclusion

The Center for Civil Liberties Human Rights Education Small Grants Competition provides an important opportunity for Ukrainian civil society organizations to expand human rights education and community learning initiatives. Through financial support, organizations can strengthen local capacity, train educators, and promote greater awareness of human rights principles across communities.