Grant Competition for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (Ukraine)

The United Fund for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support has launched the “Around Life. Around Thoughts” grant competition to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services across Ukraine. Public and charitable organizations can apply for small, average, or strategic grants of up to UAH 2,500,000 to implement projects that build resilient communities, improve access to psychosocial care, and strengthen long-term support systems.

About the “Around Life. Around Thoughts” Grant Competition

The “Around Life. Around Thoughts” grant competition is designed to strengthen Ukraine’s mental health and psychosocial support ecosystem by investing in organizations that provide community-based services, develop innovative care models, generate practical knowledge, and improve collaboration across the sector.

The initiative is administered by ISAR Unity on behalf of the United Fund for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, a collaborative fund established by international private and corporate foundations to support Ukrainian-led mental health solutions.

The programme seeks to help communities recover from the consequences of war while building sustainable systems that improve psychological wellbeing, resilience, and social cohesion.

Funding Information

The competition offers three grant categories:

Small Grants

• Funding of up to UAH 1,250,000.
• Intended for local public organizations working directly with individuals and communities.
• Estimated project duration: 12 months.

Average Grants

• Funding of up to UAH 2,500,000.
• Designed for regional organizations with experience implementing projects and strengthening local support systems.

Strategic Grants

• Funding of up to UAH 2,500,000.
• Available for national civil society organizations (CSOs), research organizations, and consortia working on systemic improvements in mental health, psychosocial support, and education.

Programme Objectives

The competition aims to:

• Strengthen Ukraine’s mental health and psychosocial support system.
• Improve community resilience.
• Support organizations providing psychosocial services.
• Develop sustainable models of care.
• Strengthen collaboration among service providers.
• Generate practical knowledge and tools.
• Improve referral pathways.
• Build long-term community support systems.
• Promote recovery from the impacts of war.

Focus Areas

Projects should align with one or more of the following priorities:

1. Psychoeducation and Resilience Development

Support initiatives that improve mental health awareness, coping skills, emotional wellbeing, and resilience within communities.

2. Professionalization of the Sector

Strengthen the capacity of professionals and organizations delivering mental health and psychosocial support services.

3. Social Ties and Community Cohesion

Promote community engagement, social inclusion, trust-building, and collective recovery.

4. Knowledge Generation and Practical Tools

Develop evidence-based resources, research, methodologies, and practical tools that strengthen service delivery.

5. Platforms, Safe Spaces, and Local Hubs of Care

Create or strengthen accessible spaces where individuals and communities can receive safe, coordinated, and sustainable psychosocial support.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Public organizations.
• Charitable organizations.
• Local civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Regional CSOs.
• National CSOs.
• Research organizations.
• Consortia working in mental health and psychosocial support.

Applicants must:

• Be officially registered under Ukrainian law.
• Hold recognized non-profit status.
• Have a 2025 organizational budget of at least UAH 1,200,000.
• Maintain a safeguarding policy.
• Have an active Board of Directors consisting of at least three members.
• Demonstrate experience in mental health, psychosocial support, or related fields.

Eligible Activities

Projects may include:

• Community mental health programmes.
• Psychosocial support services.
• Resilience-building initiatives.
• Professional training.
• Capacity-building activities.
• Development of referral systems.
• Research and evidence generation.
• Knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Community safe spaces.
• Collaborative service delivery models.
• Educational resources.
• System-strengthening initiatives.

Why This Grant Matters

Ukraine continues to face significant mental health challenges resulting from the ongoing effects of war. Strengthening psychosocial support systems helps communities recover, improves access to essential services, and builds long-term resilience.

This programme contributes by:

• Expanding access to quality mental health services.
• Supporting sustainable local solutions.
• Strengthening collaboration among organizations.
• Building professional capacity.
• Encouraging innovation in psychosocial care.
• Creating evidence-based practices for future use.
• Improving long-term wellbeing for affected communities.

How the Grant Programme Works

The funding process generally includes:

1. Organizations identify projects aligned with one or more priority areas.
2. Applicants select the appropriate grant category.
3. A detailed project proposal is prepared.
4. Applications are evaluated based on organizational capacity, project quality, sustainability, and expected impact.
5. Successful organizations receive grant funding.
6. Projects are implemented while strengthening local mental health systems and community resilience.

How to Apply

Applicants should:

1. Confirm organizational eligibility.
2. Select the appropriate grant category.
3. Identify the programme priority addressed by the project.
4. Develop a detailed implementation plan.
5. Demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period.
6. Include evidence of organizational governance and safeguarding.
7. Submit the complete application according to the competition guidelines before the deadline.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To improve your proposal:

• Clearly explain the mental health needs being addressed.
• Demonstrate measurable community impact.
• Show experience delivering psychosocial support.
• Include strong monitoring and evaluation methods.
• Present realistic budgets and timelines.
• Explain sustainability after grant funding ends.
• Highlight partnerships and referral mechanisms.
• Demonstrate community participation throughout the project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Applying under the wrong grant category.
• Providing unclear project objectives.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity.
• Omitting safeguarding or governance information.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets.
• Weak sustainability planning.
• Insufficient evidence of community need.
• Incomplete application documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the “Around Life. Around Thoughts” grant competition?

It is a funding programme supporting Ukrainian organizations that strengthen mental health and psychosocial support systems while helping communities recover from the impacts of war.

2. How much funding is available?

Small grants provide up to UAH 1,250,000, while both Average Grants and Strategic Grants provide up to UAH 2,500,000.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include registered Ukrainian public organizations, charitable organizations, local and regional CSOs, national CSOs, research organizations, and eligible consortia working in mental health and psychosocial support.

4. What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports psychoeducation, resilience-building, professional development, community cohesion, research, knowledge generation, safe spaces, referral systems, and sustainable mental health services.

5. What organizational requirements must applicants meet?

Applicants must be legally registered non-profit organizations in Ukraine, have a minimum 2025 budget of UAH 1,200,000, maintain a safeguarding policy, and have an active Board of Directors with at least three members.

6. Are sustainability and long-term impact important?

Yes. Projects should demonstrate how activities and services will continue beyond the grant period and contribute to stronger long-term psychosocial support systems.

7. Why is this programme significant?

The programme strengthens Ukraine’s mental health infrastructure by supporting organizations that improve access to psychosocial care, build community resilience, strengthen collaboration, and develop sustainable support systems for people affected by war.

Conclusion

The United Fund for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – “Around Life. Around Thoughts” Grant Competition provides significant funding opportunities for Ukrainian organizations working to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support services. By supporting community resilience, professional capacity, sustainable care models, research, and collaboration, the programme contributes to building a stronger, more accessible, and long-lasting mental health support system for communities across Ukraine.