Deadline: 25-May-2026
The Council of Europe has launched a call for proposals to support civil society organisations in Ukraine working on minority language education, inclusive schooling, anti-discrimination, intercultural dialogue, and social cohesion. The initiative focuses on strengthening the rights and participation of national minorities and Roma communities through education and community-based interventions.
The programme supports pilot activities in schools and local communities aimed at improving bilingual education and reducing discrimination.
Programme Overview
This funding call supports projects that:
- Promote bilingual and minority language education
- Strengthen inclusive education systems
- Support intercultural dialogue and social cohesion
- Combat discrimination, hate speech, and exclusion
- Improve cooperation between minority and majority communities
- Enhance participation of national minorities and Roma communities in education
Preference is given to projects implemented in partnership with schools and local authorities.
Geographic Focus
Priority regions include:
- Odesa
- Volyn
- Transcarpathia
- Zaporizhzhia
- Chernihiv
- Vinnytsia
Projects implemented in collaboration with local education authorities and schools in these regions are strongly encouraged.
Key Focus Areas
Funded activities may include:
- Development of bilingual education materials and curricula
- Teacher training in bilingual and inclusive education methods
- Pilot school-based bilingual education programmes
- After-school language learning activities
- Cultural events, workshops, and community engagement activities
- Awareness campaigns on diversity, minority rights, and inclusion
- Inclusive classroom practices and teaching methodologies
- Peer mentoring and student support initiatives
- Intercultural dialogue and cooperation initiatives
Programme Objectives
The main objectives are to:
- Strengthen minority rights protection in Ukraine
- Improve inclusive education practices in schools
- Reduce discrimination and promote equality
- Strengthen dialogue between communities and authorities
- Support bilingual education development
- Foster long-term social cohesion between minority and majority populations
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must:
- Be legally registered non-governmental organisations in Ukraine
- Have at least 3 years of relevant experience in:
- Minority rights protection
- Human rights advocacy
- Anti-discrimination work
- Education-related programming
- Demonstrate adequate financial and operational capacity
- Possess a valid organisational bank account
Funding Information
- Total budget: EUR 45,000
- Number of grants: Up to 5
- Maximum grant per project: EUR 9,000
- Co-financing requirement: At least 20%
Co-financing may include:
- Financial contributions
- Staff time and human resources
- In-kind contributions
- Project-generated income
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Completed application form
- Detailed project work plan
- Provisional budget
- Organisation statute
- 2025 income and expenditure statement
- Non-profit registration certificate(s)
- CVs of project managers
- Letter of support from schools or local authorities confirming cooperation
Ineligible Activities
The programme will not fund:
- Scholarship-only projects
- Political party-related activities
- Re-granting schemes (fund redistribution projects)
Programme Approach
The initiative prioritises:
- School-based pilot interventions
- Collaboration between NGOs, schools, and local authorities
- Community participation and inclusion
- Practical implementation of bilingual education models
- Strengthening institutional cooperation across education systems
Why the Programme Matters
- Strengthens protection of minority languages and rights
- Promotes inclusive and equitable education systems
- Reduces discrimination and social exclusion
- Encourages cooperation between diverse communities
- Supports long-term social cohesion in conflict-affected contexts
- Enhances teacher capacity and school inclusivity
Conclusion
The Council of Europe funding initiative in Ukraine supports civil society organisations working to improve bilingual education, minority rights protection, and social cohesion. By funding school-based and community-driven projects, the programme strengthens inclusive education systems and promotes cooperation between minority and majority communities across key regions of Ukraine.
For more information, visit Council of Europe.