Submit Applications for Women, Peace and Security Localization Grants (Ukraine)

Deadline: 17-Jun-2026

Applications are now open for a Civil Society Organization (CSO) to support the localization and implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in eastern Ukraine under the National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.

The initiative, led by UN Women Ukraine Office, aims to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making, recovery, protection, and peacebuilding processes while enhancing regional and local implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

About the Program

The program seeks to advance the implementation of the National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 through localized, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches across eastern Ukraine.

The selected Civil Society Organization will work with regional authorities, women’s rights organizations, women-led organizations, activists, humanitarian actors, and recovery stakeholders to strengthen the operationalization and monitoring of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The initiative supports Ukraine’s broader commitments to gender equality, women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance.

Focus Areas

The program supports activities related to:

• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda implementation
• Localization of NAP 1325
• Capacity strengthening
• Institutional coordination
• Monitoring and accountability mechanisms
• Women’s participation in decision-making
• Recovery and reconstruction processes
• Peacebuilding initiatives
• Protection of women and girls
• Inclusive governance
• Evidence-based policy implementation
• Participatory approaches
• Subsidiarity and localization
• Women’s leadership
• Community engagement
• Gender-responsive recovery planning

Purpose of the Initiative

The initiative aims to:

• Strengthen implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda
• Improve coordination among key stakeholders
• Enhance regional and local ownership of NAP 1325
• Increase meaningful participation of women in governance processes
• Support inclusive recovery and peacebuilding efforts
• Strengthen institutional and community capacities
• Promote gender-responsive decision-making
• Ensure women’s priorities are reflected in recovery strategies

Geographic Coverage

Activities will be implemented in the following eastern oblasts of Ukraine:

• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
• Sumy Oblast
• Poltava Oblast
• Zaporizhzhia Oblast
• Donetsk Oblast

Key Activities

The selected CSO will be expected to:

• Support localization of NAP 1325
• Strengthen implementation mechanisms
• Facilitate stakeholder coordination
• Support monitoring and reporting processes
• Engage Regional 1325 Coalitions
• Work with women’s rights and women-led organizations
• Support women activists and community leaders
• Promote women’s participation in recovery processes
• Strengthen local governance capacities
• Facilitate evidence-based planning and implementation
• Foster collaboration among humanitarian and recovery actors

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
• Women’s rights organizations
• Women-led organizations
• Non-governmental organizations with relevant expertise
• Organizations with experience in gender equality, peacebuilding, governance, or recovery initiatives

Expected Partnerships

The selected organization will work closely with:

• Regional authorities
• Regional 1325 Coalitions
• Women’s rights organizations
• Women-led organizations
• Women activists
• Humanitarian actors
• Recovery stakeholders
• Governance institutions
• Community organizations

Funding Information

Key funding details include:

• Proposed budget must range between USD 220,000 and USD 240,000
• Budget must be submitted in Ukrainian Hryvnia
• Budget calculations should use the latest United Nations Operational Rates of Exchange

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Women, Peace and Security agenda recognizes the critical role women play in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, recovery, and governance.

This initiative supports the meaningful inclusion of women in decision-making processes while strengthening local institutions and community structures. It also contributes to gender-responsive recovery efforts and ensures that women’s voices and priorities remain central to rebuilding and peacebuilding initiatives in Ukraine.

Application Tips

Strong proposals typically demonstrate:

• Experience implementing gender equality programs
• Knowledge of the Women, Peace and Security agenda
• Strong partnerships with local stakeholders
• Experience working with women’s organizations
• Capacity to operate in target regions
• Strong monitoring and evaluation systems
• Experience in recovery or peacebuilding initiatives
• Clear implementation methodology

Common Application Mistakes

Applications may be weakened by:

• Limited experience with WPS programming
• Weak stakeholder engagement plans
• Insufficient regional presence
• Unclear implementation strategies
• Poor coordination mechanisms
• Incomplete budget information
• Limited monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Failure to demonstrate organizational capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this call for proposals?

• To support localization and implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda under Ukraine’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325.
• To strengthen women’s participation in recovery, governance, protection, and peacebuilding processes.

Who can apply?

• Civil Society Organizations.
• Women’s rights organizations.
• Women-led organizations.
• NGOs with relevant experience in gender equality, governance, recovery, or peacebuilding.

Which regions will the project cover?

• Dnipropetrovsk.
• Sumy.
• Poltava.
• Zaporizhzhia.
• Donetsk.

What funding is available?

• Proposals should have a budget ranging from USD 220,000 to USD 240,000.

What are the main areas of work?

• Localization of NAP 1325.
• Capacity building.
• Coordination and monitoring.
• Women’s leadership and participation.
• Recovery and peacebuilding.
• Gender-responsive governance.

Who will the selected organization work with?

• Regional authorities.
• Regional 1325 Coalitions.
• Women’s organizations.
• Humanitarian actors.
• Recovery stakeholders.
• Community representatives.

When is the application deadline?

• Proposals must be submitted by 18:00 (GMT+3) on 17 June 2026.

Conclusion

This UN Women initiative provides an important opportunity for civil society organizations to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda across eastern Ukraine. Through localized implementation of NAP 1325, strengthened partnerships, and increased participation of women in decision-making, the project seeks to support inclusive recovery, sustainable peacebuilding, and gender-responsive governance in conflict-affected communities.

For more information, visit UN Women.