Deadline: 26-May-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine is offering a grant to support civil society organisations in coordinating regional Community Engagement Working Group Networks across Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, and Kharkiv. The programme strengthens inclusive recovery, participatory governance, and local resilience by institutionalising community engagement mechanisms and improving citizen participation in decision-making processes.
Programme Overview
This initiative supports Ukraine’s long-term recovery and reconstruction by enhancing structured cooperation between local authorities, civil society, and community stakeholders. It is implemented under UNDP’s Area-Based Recovery approach and supported by international partners including the European Union and the Government of Denmark.
The programme focuses on building sustainable, inclusive governance systems that ensure communities play an active role in recovery planning and implementation.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen local governance systems and participatory decision-making
- Promote inclusive economic recovery and human capital development
- Institutionalise Community Engagement Working Groups as permanent platforms
- Improve citizen–government interaction and communication
- Enhance transparency, accountability, and democratic participation
- Strengthen social cohesion and community resilience
- Ensure inclusion of vulnerable groups in governance processes
- Build capacity of local leadership within working groups
- Improve public trust in recovery governance systems
Community Engagement Working Groups (CEWGs)
These groups function as multi-stakeholder platforms involving:
- Local authorities
- Civil society organisations
- Business representatives
- Community members
They ensure participation of:
Their role includes planning, monitoring, and advising on local recovery and development activities.
Funding Details
- Maximum budget: USD 120,000
- Project duration: up to 30 months
- Expected start: mid-2026
- Funding scope: coordination and capacity-building for regional CEWG networks
The grant supports structured network coordination rather than direct infrastructure investment.
Geographic Focus
The programme is implemented in selected regions of Ukraine:
- Dnipropetrovsk region
- Zaporizhia region
- Kharkiv region
These areas are prioritised due to ongoing recovery and resilience needs.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organisations include:
- Non-profit organisations registered in Ukraine
- Charitable organisations with legal status
- Civil society organisations with at least 3 years of experience
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven experience in regional project implementation
- Strong financial and project management capacity
- Compliance with international donor standards
Required Project Team
Applicants must include:
- Project Manager
- Communications Manager
- Accountant
Additional technical staff may be included depending on project design.
Key Activities
Supported activities include:
- Coordination of regional CEWG networks
- Methodological guidance for working groups
- Capacity-building for group leaders and members
- Strengthening inclusive participation mechanisms
- Enhancing communication between stakeholders
- Institutionalising participatory governance practices
- Improving visibility of recovery processes
- Supporting sustainable network development
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to achieve:
- Stronger and more structured community participation systems
- Improved governance transparency and accountability
- Institutionalised community engagement platforms
- Enhanced inclusion of vulnerable populations
- Increased trust in local recovery governance
- Better coordination between stakeholders
- Scalable participatory governance models for other regions
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it:
- Strengthens democratic participation in post-crisis recovery
- Ensures inclusive decision-making at local level
- Builds trust between citizens and government
- Supports long-term institutional governance reform
- Enhances resilience in conflict-affected regions
- Promotes gender equality and social inclusion
- Improves coordination of recovery efforts across stakeholders
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications may be weaker if they:
- Lack proven experience in regional coordination
- Do not include required project staffing structure
- Fail to demonstrate financial management capacity
- Provide unclear governance or coordination models
- Do not address inclusion of vulnerable groups
- Ignore participatory governance principles
- Lack scalability or sustainability planning
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define a structured coordination model for CEWGs
- Demonstrate strong regional implementation experience
- Include detailed inclusion strategies for vulnerable groups
- Show clear capacity-building approaches for local leaders
- Ensure strong monitoring and evaluation systems
- Highlight sustainability beyond project funding
- Align with participatory governance and recovery goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for this UNDP grant?
Ukrainian non-profit or charitable organisations with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
What is the funding amount?
Up to USD 120,000 per project.
What is the project duration?
Up to 30 months.
Which regions are included?
Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, and Kharkiv regions.
What is the main goal of the programme?
To strengthen inclusive recovery through community engagement and participatory governance.
Who participates in the working groups?
Local authorities, CSOs, businesses, and community members, including vulnerable groups.
When will implementation begin?
Mid-2026.
Conclusion
The UNDP Community Engagement Working Group Networks grant strengthens inclusive governance and participatory recovery systems in Ukraine. By supporting structured collaboration between citizens, civil society, and local authorities, it builds transparent, accountable, and resilient community-led recovery mechanisms in conflict-affected regions.
For more information, visit UNDP.