RFAs: Small Grants Programme 2026 (Ukraine)

Deadline: 15-Jun-2026

The Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation, in partnership with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kyiv, invites applications for 2026 Small Grants to support locally driven development projects in Ukraine. Grants of up to €10,000 per project target infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, governance, and market development, integrating cross-cutting themes of environmental sustainability, climate action, and gender equality. Projects are expected to be implemented within 6–12 months.

The Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation, together with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kyiv, has launched the 2026 Small Grants Call to support locally driven development initiatives in Ukraine. These grants provide flexible, operational funding for small-scale projects that respond effectively to local development needs.

Objectives of the Program

The program aims to:

• Support small-scale, locally driven projects with tangible outcomes.
• Promote sustainable infrastructure and resource management.
• Strengthen food safety and agriculture, market environment, good health, quality education, and governance/civil society.
• Integrate cross-cutting themes of environmental sustainability, climate action, and gender equality.
• Align with the Medium-term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic (2025–2030).

Funding Details

• Maximum Grant per Project: €10,000
• Total Allocation for Ukraine: €40,000
• Project Duration: 6–12 months, starting immediately after the Small Grant Agreement is signed
• Eligible Costs: Project implementation costs aligned with sector priorities and cross-cutting themes

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered non-commercial legal entities
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Local or regional self-government units

Ineligible Applicants:

• Entities subject to international sanctions under Slovak law
• Entities with outstanding financial claims from the Slovak Republic

Key Focus Areas

Supported projects should address at least one of the following:

1. Infrastructure and sustainable use of natural resources – Improving local facilities and promoting responsible resource management.
2. Food safety and agriculture – Enhancing food security, innovation, and agricultural sustainability.
3. Market environment development – Supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth.
4. Good health – Improving access to healthcare and promoting well-being.
5. Quality education – Strengthening learning opportunities and institutional capacity.
6. Good governance and civil society – Enhancing transparency, participation, and institutional effectiveness.

Cross-Cutting Themes:

• Environmental sustainability and climate action – Ensure projects minimize ecological impact and address climate challenges.
• Gender equality – Promote equal opportunities and empowerment for women and marginalized groups.

How to Apply

1. Confirm Eligibility: Verify that your organization is legally registered and not subject to sanctions.
2. Develop Proposal: Clearly describe the project, objectives, expected results, and alignment with sector priorities and cross-cutting themes.
3. Prepare Budget: Include detailed, realistic costs that comply with grant rules.
4. Submit Application: Apply through the official platform before the deadline.
5. Evaluation: Proposals are assessed based on relevance, feasibility, alignment with priorities, and sustainability.

Tips for Applicants

• Align your project clearly with Slovak development priorities and cross-cutting themes.
• Demonstrate local relevance and community impact.
• Include a realistic budget and timeline within 6–12 months.
• Highlight sustainable practices and gender equality measures.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects with negative environmental or social impacts.
• Applying as an ineligible organization.
• Submitting unclear or unrealistic budgets.
• Ignoring cross-cutting themes in project design.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to apply?
   Registered non-commercial entities, NGOs, and local/regional self-government units in Ukraine.
2. What is the maximum grant amount?
   €10,000 per project, with a total allocation of €40,000 for Ukraine.
3. What is the expected project duration?
   6–12 months, starting immediately after grant approval.
4. Which sectors are prioritized?
   Infrastructure, agriculture, market development, health, education, and governance/civil society.
5. Are environmental and gender considerations required?
   Yes, all projects must integrate environmental sustainability, climate action, and gender equality.
6. Are entities under sanctions eligible?
   No, entities subject to Slovak or international sanctions are not eligible.
7. How are applications evaluated?
   Based on local relevance, feasibility, alignment with sector priorities, sustainability, and cross-cutting themes.

Why This Program Matters

• Provides targeted, operational support for locally driven development projects in Ukraine.
• Promotes sustainable development and inclusive practices.
• Supports quick-impact initiatives that improve infrastructure, health, education, and governance.
• Aligns with Slovak Republic’s ODA priorities and SDG objectives.

Conclusion

The 2026 Small Grants program offers a valuable opportunity for Ukrainian organizations to implement small-scale, high-impact projects. By funding initiatives that integrate sustainability, climate action, and gender equality, the program fosters practical solutions to local development challenges in a short, effective timeframe.

For more information, visit Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kyiv.