RFAs: Good Governance Academy for LSGs and Civil Society Organizations (Ukraine)

The Good Governance Academy is accepting applications to establish and deliver a comprehensive training programme that strengthens local governance, transparency, accountability, and collaboration between local self-governments and civil society organizations. The selected contractor will design and implement a five-month academy that combines training, practical projects, and collaborative learning to improve democratic governance and community resilience.

The programme targets communities in Mykolaiv Oblast and supports the development of community-driven initiatives aligned with good governance principles and European Union standards.

Good Governance Academy Overview

The Good Governance Academy is a capacity-building initiative designed to improve local governance by equipping local government officials and civil society representatives with practical knowledge, leadership skills, and collaborative approaches.

The academy promotes stronger partnerships between local self-governments and civil society organizations while encouraging transparent, accountable, and inclusive decision-making.

Participants will complete structured training and work together to design community-based microprojects that address local challenges and strengthen democratic governance.

Programme Objectives

The academy aims to strengthen local governance systems by supporting:

Transparent and accountable governance
Inclusive decision-making
Citizen participation
Institutional resilience
Community engagement
Anti-corruption practices
Evidence-based policy dialogue
Local advocacy
Participatory governance
Collaborative project development
Inclusive territorial development
Resilient recovery planning
Cooperation between local self-governments and civil society organizations

Programme Structure

The selected contractor will design and deliver a structured academy programme supported by experienced trainers and governance experts.

The programme includes:

Modular training curriculum
Interactive learning sessions
Practical assignments
Community-based project development
Knowledge sharing
Best practice documentation
Final dissemination event

A closing event will be organised in Mykolaiv to showcase project results, share lessons learned, and encourage replication in other communities.

Programme Duration

The academy is expected to:

Run for no more than five months
Include up to 150 learning hours
Be equivalent to 5 ECTS credits

Training will combine:

Online learning
Offline workshops
Independent study
Practical assignments
Collaborative project work

Training Modules

The academy consists of three integrated training modules.

Module 1: Local Self-Governments

This module is designed for local government representatives.

Key topics include:

Principles of good local governance
Citizen participation
Community engagement tools
Cooperation with civil society organizations
Integrity and ethics
Transparency and accountability
Risk management
Joint project preparation

Module 2: Civil Society Organizations

This module focuses on strengthening civil society organizations.

Training topics include:

Local governance systems
Evidence-based advocacy
Public dialogue
Project design
Community impact
Partnership development
Preparation of collaborative initiatives

Module 3: Joint Collaborative Learning

The final module brings together local governments and civil society organizations.

Participants will work together to:

Identify community priorities
Develop governance microprojects
Strengthen transparency
Improve accountability
Increase citizen participation
Support democratic governance reforms
Align initiatives with European Union accession principles and standards

Scope of Work for the Selected Contractor

The selected contractor will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing the academy.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing the academy concept
Preparing an implementation plan
Designing the training curriculum
Creating participant selection criteria
Establishing evaluation methods
Coordinating trainers and experts
Delivering training sessions
Supporting participant learning
Preparing reports
Documenting best practices
Organising the final dissemination event

Implementation Plan Requirements

During the preparatory phase, the contractor will develop a detailed implementation plan covering:

Academy concept
Programme schedule
Participant selection process
Expected results
Monitoring framework
Evaluation tools
Reporting arrangements
Programme timeline

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legally registered organizations that meet the programme requirements.

Applicants must:

Be legally registered for at least five years
Be registered in territory controlled by the Government of Ukraine (for Ukrainian organizations)
Hold accreditation to award ECTS credits, or
Have a formal partnership with an accredited higher education institution authorised to award ECTS credits

Experience Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of experience in one or more of the following areas:

Civil society development
Local governance
Institutional capacity building
Public participation
Good governance
Local economic development
Dialogue facilitation
Community engagement

Applicants should also demonstrate experience in:

Developing practical training materials
Organising educational programmes
Delivering capacity-building initiatives
Working with local governments
Supporting civil society organizations

Additional Requirements

Applicants should provide:

Positive reference letters from previous clients or partners
An experienced project manager
Qualified trainers and experts
A balanced team composition of women and men

Why This Programme Matters

Strong local governance is essential for democratic development, public trust, and sustainable communities.

The Good Governance Academy helps communities by:

Improving institutional performance
Increasing transparency
Strengthening accountability
Supporting citizen participation
Encouraging collaboration
Promoting democratic reforms
Building long-term local leadership

The programme also supports Ukraine’s ongoing governance reforms and alignment with European Union standards.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps before submitting a proposal.

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation:

Meets the legal registration requirements
Has the required experience
Meets the ECTS accreditation or partnership requirement

Step 2: Prepare a Technical Proposal

The proposal should include:

Programme concept
Training methodology
Workplan
Implementation timeline
Monitoring framework
Expected outcomes
Team composition

Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents

Include:

Registration documents
Accreditation or partnership evidence
Reference letters
Team CVs
Organisational experience
Relevant project examples

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the application according to the programme guidelines and submit all required documentation before the deadline.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:

Relevant organisational experience
Quality of the proposed methodology
Technical capacity
Governance expertise
Training experience
Team qualifications
Ability to deliver the academy successfully

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting an Incomplete Proposal

Ensure all required documents and supporting evidence are included.

Limited Governance Experience

Clearly demonstrate previous work in local governance and civil society strengthening.

Weak Training Methodology

Provide a structured learning approach with practical activities and measurable outcomes.

Insufficient Team Capacity

Present qualified trainers, project managers, and governance experts.

Ignoring Accreditation Requirements

Include proof of ECTS accreditation or a formal partnership with an accredited institution.

Tips for a Strong Application

Demonstrate extensive governance experience.
Highlight successful capacity-building programmes.
Present a practical and interactive learning methodology.
Include measurable indicators of success.
Show experience working with both government and civil society.
Explain how the academy will create sustainable local impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Good Governance Academy?

It is a training and capacity-building programme designed to strengthen cooperation between local governments and civil society while promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

2. Who can apply?

Legally registered organisations with at least five years of relevant experience and the required ECTS accreditation or partnership with an accredited higher education institution.

3. How long will the academy run?

The programme will run for up to five months.

4. What is the learning workload?

Participants will complete up to 150 learning hours, equivalent to 5 ECTS credits.

5. What topics are covered?

The academy covers good governance, citizen participation, transparency, ethics, advocacy, project design, community engagement, and collaborative governance.

6. What are the contractor’s main responsibilities?

The contractor will design, manage, and implement the academy, coordinate training, support participants, document lessons learned, and organise the final dissemination event.

7. Why is this programme important?

The programme strengthens democratic governance, improves institutional capacity, enhances collaboration between government and civil society, and supports sustainable local development.

Conclusion

The Good Governance Academy provides an opportunity for experienced organisations to lead a comprehensive governance training programme that strengthens transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and collaboration in Mykolaiv Oblast.

Through practical training, collaborative learning, and community-based microprojects, the academy will help build stronger institutions, more resilient communities, and lasting partnerships between local self-governments and civil society organizations.