Grants for Minority Language Education and Social Cohesion (Ukraine)

Deadline: 15-Jun-2026

The Council of Europe is offering grants of up to EUR 9,000 to support civil society initiatives that promote bilingual education, minority languages, inclusion, anti-discrimination, and social cohesion in Ukraine. The funding is part of the project “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine – Phase II” and prioritizes partnerships between NGOs, schools, and local authorities.

Council of Europe Grants for Bilingual Education, Minority Languages, and Inclusion in Ukraine

The Council of Europe has launched a call for proposals under its project “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine – Phase II.”

The initiative aims to strengthen minority rights, improve access to quality education, promote linguistic diversity, and foster social cohesion through community-based and school-based projects across Ukraine.

Program Overview

The grant program supports projects that promote bilingual education, minority language learning, inclusive education, anti-discrimination measures, and intercultural dialogue.

The initiative forms part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023–2026 and contributes to strengthening the rights and resilience of national minority communities, including Roma populations.

Funding is intended to help schools, local authorities, civil society organizations, and minority communities work together to create more inclusive and equitable educational environments.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: EUR 45,000
• Number of grants expected: 5
• Maximum grant amount: EUR 9,000 per project
• Required co-financing: Minimum 20% of the grant amount
• Project location: Ukraine

Applicants may provide co-financing through:

• Financial contributions
• Human resources
• In-kind contributions
• Project-generated income

Program Objectives

The program seeks to:

• Promote bilingual education in schools and communities.
• Strengthen minority language education.
• Improve access to quality education for children from national minority groups.
• Combat discrimination and exclusion.
• Support Roma inclusion initiatives.
• Foster intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.
• Strengthen social cohesion and community participation.
• Encourage cooperation between schools, local authorities, and civil society organizations.
• Support internally displaced children from minority communities.
• Advance minority rights protection in Ukraine.

Key Focus Areas

Supported projects may address:

• Bilingual education.
• Minority language preservation and promotion.
• Inclusive education.
• Equal access to education.
• Anti-discrimination initiatives.
• Teacher training and professional development.
• Curriculum development in minority languages.
• Cultural diversity awareness.
• Community engagement.
• Social inclusion.
• Roma integration.
• Intercultural learning.
• Educational innovation.
• Human rights education.

Why This Funding Matters

National minority communities often face barriers to accessing education in their native languages and participating fully in social and public life.

This funding opportunity helps strengthen educational inclusion while preserving linguistic and cultural diversity. By supporting bilingual education and minority language initiatives, the program contributes to social cohesion, educational equity, and stronger community resilience.

The initiative also supports Ukraine’s broader efforts toward recovery, inclusion, democratic participation, and protection of minority rights.

Eligible Activities

Projects may include:

Educational Materials and Curriculum Development

• Development of minority language teaching materials.
• Creation of bilingual educational resources.
• Adaptation of curricula for minority language learning.
• Educational content supporting inclusive classrooms.

Teacher Training

• Training programs on bilingual teaching methods.
• Capacity-building workshops for educators.
• Professional development in multilingual education.
• Training on inclusive teaching approaches.

School-Based Activities

• Pilot bilingual education classes.
• Minority language integration into school programs.
• Inclusive learning initiatives.
• Student engagement activities promoting diversity.

Community-Based Activities

• Language workshops.
• Cultural festivals and events.
• Community dialogue programs.
• Intercultural exchange activities.
• Awareness campaigns on minority rights.

Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Activities

• Diversity education initiatives.
• Anti-discrimination awareness campaigns.
• Human rights education programs.
• Community inclusion projects.
• Activities promoting equal opportunities.

Priority Regions

Special consideration will be given to projects implemented in:

• Odesa
• Volyn
• Transcarpathia
• Zaporizhzhia
• Chernihiv
• Vinnytsia

Projects involving local communities and national minority representatives, including Roma communities, are particularly encouraged.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ukraine.
• Have at least three years of experience working in:
  • National minority protection
  • Human rights
  • Anti-discrimination initiatives
  • Education-related programs
• Demonstrate adequate financial capacity.
• Demonstrate adequate operational capacity.
• Maintain an active bank account.
• Provide at least 20% co-financing.

Preferred Applicants

Preference will be given to:

• NGOs partnering with schools.
• NGOs collaborating with local authorities.
• Organizations with strong community engagement experience.
• Projects involving Roma communities.
• Projects supporting internally displaced children.
• Initiatives with strong local participation.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Review all organizational requirements and ensure the organization meets the experience, registration, and financial capacity criteria.

Step 2: Develop a Project Concept

Prepare a project focused on bilingual education, minority language promotion, inclusion, anti-discrimination, or intercultural dialogue.

Step 3: Build Partnerships

Engage schools, local authorities, minority communities, and relevant stakeholders where possible.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a detailed budget and identify sources of the required 20% co-financing contribution.

Step 5: Demonstrate Impact

Clearly explain:

• Community needs.
• Target beneficiaries.
• Expected outcomes.
• Sustainability of results.
• Contribution to minority inclusion and social cohesion.

Step 6: Submit the Proposal

Complete and submit the application package according to Council of Europe requirements and deadlines.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are likely to be assessed based on:

• Relevance to program objectives.
• Quality of project design.
• Potential impact on minority communities.
• Educational benefits.
• Community participation.
• Partnership strength.
• Feasibility and sustainability.
• Financial and operational capacity.
• Innovation and scalability.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Build formal partnerships with schools and local authorities.
• Clearly identify the minority communities being supported.
• Include measurable educational outcomes.
• Demonstrate long-term community benefits.
• Highlight inclusion and anti-discrimination impacts.
• Present a realistic implementation plan and budget.
• Show meaningful participation of minority representatives throughout the project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to meet the co-financing requirement.
• Submitting projects without clear educational outcomes.
• Providing insufficient evidence of organizational experience.
• Excluding community stakeholders from project planning.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets or timelines.
• Failing to explain sustainability and long-term impact.
• Not demonstrating relevance to minority rights and inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much funding is available?

The Council of Europe has allocated EUR 45,000 for this call and plans to award five grants of up to EUR 9,000 each.

Who can apply?

Legally registered NGOs in Ukraine with at least three years of relevant experience in minority rights, education, human rights, or anti-discrimination work.

Is co-financing required?

Yes. Applicants must provide at least 20% co-financing through financial, in-kind, human resource, or project-generated contributions.

Which regions receive priority consideration?

Projects implemented in Odesa, Volyn, Transcarpathia, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Vinnytsia will receive special consideration.

Are partnerships encouraged?

Yes. Projects developed in partnership with schools and local authorities are strongly encouraged and may receive priority consideration.

Can projects focus on Roma inclusion?

Yes. Roma inclusion is a key priority area under this funding opportunity.

What types of activities can be funded?

Eligible activities include bilingual education initiatives, teacher training, curriculum development, minority language promotion, cultural events, anti-discrimination campaigns, and community engagement activities.

Conclusion

The Council of Europe’s “Supporting the reform of the national minority legal framework and the resilience of national minorities and Roma in Ukraine – Phase II” grant program provides an important opportunity for Ukrainian NGOs to strengthen bilingual education, minority language preservation, social inclusion, and intercultural dialogue. Through grants of up to EUR 9,000, the initiative supports practical, community-driven solutions that advance minority rights, educational equity, and social cohesion while contributing to Ukraine’s broader resilience and recovery efforts.

For more information, visit Council of Europe.