Deadline: 17-Jun-2026
Applications are open for the ActionAid Eastern Europe Capacity-Building Programme, a structured initiative supporting women-led and women’s rights organizations across Ukraine. Implemented with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the program is designed to strengthen organizational resilience, leadership capacity, and advocacy effectiveness during a critical period of national recovery and reform.
The initiative combines training, mentoring, flexible funding, and networking opportunities to help participating organizations improve internal systems, expand influence, and engage more effectively in policy and decision-making processes.
Overview
The program focuses on strengthening small and medium-sized women-led and women’s rights organizations operating across Ukraine.
It supports organizations working in contexts shaped by conflict recovery, reconstruction, governance reform, and social transformation. The initiative aims to enhance institutional capacity while also improving advocacy strategies and long-term sustainability.
Participating organizations are expected to engage actively in training, peer learning, and collaborative activities throughout the program period (2026–2027).
Program Objectives
The ActionAid Eastern Europe initiative aims to:
- Strengthen women-led and women’s rights organizations in Ukraine
- Improve organizational resilience and sustainability
- Enhance leadership and internal governance systems
- Support advocacy strategy development and implementation
- Promote gender equality and human rights
- Advance inclusive recovery and reconstruction processes
- Strengthen civic engagement and democratic participation
- Support anti-corruption and accountability efforts
- Facilitate peacebuilding and social cohesion initiatives
- Expand access to policy dialogue and decision-making spaces
- Encourage peer learning and cross-organizational collaboration
- Improve team welfare and institutional wellbeing
The program prioritizes long-term organizational strengthening alongside immediate advocacy impact.
Focus Areas
The initiative supports organizations working in areas such as:
- Gender equality and women’s rights
- Human rights protection and advocacy
- European integration processes
- Post-conflict reconstruction and recovery
- Peacebuilding and conflict resolution
- Anti-corruption and governance reform
- Civic engagement and democratic participation
- Social justice and inclusion
- Community mobilization and empowerment
- Policy dialogue and institutional reform
Organizations should demonstrate alignment with at least one of these thematic areas.
Program Components
Selected organizations will benefit from a combination of capacity-strengthening interventions:
Organizational Development
- Training workshops on internal systems and governance
- Support for financial and operational management
- Strengthening organizational structures and processes
- Tools for improved sustainability and resilience
Advocacy and Strategy Support
- Development of advocacy strategies
- Guidance on influencing policy and decision-making
- Support for campaign planning and implementation
- Technical assistance in strategic communication
Flexible Capacity Funding
- Up to EUR 6,300 per organization
- Funding tailored to organizational size and needs
- Support for institutional strengthening and team welfare
- Flexible use based on approved capacity priorities
Peer Learning and Networking
- Collaboration with peer organizations across Ukraine
- Knowledge exchange and shared learning spaces
- Joint initiatives and thematic cooperation opportunities
- Strengthening solidarity among women-led organizations
Dialogue and Policy Engagement
- Access to national and international dialogue platforms
- Engagement opportunities with decision-makers
- Participation in policy discussions and consultations
- Increased visibility in governance and civil society spaces
Funding Support
Each selected organization may receive:
- Flexible funding of up to EUR 6,300
- Allocation based on organizational size and needs
- Focus on capacity strengthening and team welfare
Funding is not project-based but designed to enhance institutional sustainability and effectiveness.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to:
- Officially registered public organizations in Ukraine
- Women-led organizations
- Women’s rights organizations
- Small and medium-sized civil society organizations
Eligible organizations must:
- Operate across any region of Ukraine
- Be actively engaged in relevant thematic areas
- Be willing to participate in program activities (2026–2027)
- Have an approximate annual budget of around 10 million UAH
- Be independent from government institutions and political parties
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be formally registered legal entities in Ukraine
- Be led by women or primarily focused on women’s rights
- Work in areas aligned with gender equality, human rights, or related fields
- Demonstrate organizational capacity and willingness to engage in training
- Commit to participating in peer learning and joint program activities
- Maintain independence from political or governmental affiliation
Organizations should demonstrate both relevance and readiness for institutional development.
Why This Programme Matters
Women-led and women’s rights organizations in Ukraine play a critical role in addressing social inequality, advancing democratic governance, and supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts.
However, many of these organizations face challenges related to limited resources, institutional capacity, and operational sustainability.
This program strengthens their ability to:
- Deliver effective advocacy and services
- Sustain long-term organizational operations
- Influence policy and decision-making processes
- Collaborate across networks and sectors
- Respond to evolving social and political challenges
- Build stronger leadership and governance structures
By investing in institutional capacity, the initiative contributes to stronger civil society ecosystems and more inclusive governance outcomes.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that the organization:
- Is registered in Ukraine
- Is women-led or focused on women’s rights
- Works in relevant thematic areas
- Has an annual budget near 10 million UAH
- Is independent from government and political parties
Step 2: Assess Organizational Needs
Identify priority areas for development, such as:
- Governance and internal systems
- Advocacy capacity
- Financial management
- Leadership development
- Team wellbeing and sustainability
Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
Typical requirements include:
- Organizational profile
- Description of current work and impact
- Capacity development needs
- Motivation for participation
- Evidence of thematic alignment
- Basic financial information
Step 4: Submit Application
Complete the application process within the stated deadline and ensure all required information is included.
Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly define organizational capacity gaps
- Demonstrate strong alignment with gender equality and human rights work
- Highlight previous advocacy or community engagement experience
- Be specific about institutional strengthening needs
- Show readiness to engage in peer learning and training
- Emphasize long-term sustainability goals
- Provide realistic descriptions of organizational structure and budget
- Ensure clarity on independence from political affiliations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the main goal of the program?
- To strengthen women-led and women’s rights organizations in Ukraine through capacity building, funding, and advocacy support.
- How much funding is available?
- Up to EUR 6,300 per organization.
- What type of organizations can apply?
- Women-led and women’s rights organizations registered in Ukraine.
- Is the funding project-based?
- No, it is flexible capacity-building funding for institutional strengthening.
- Which sectors are prioritized?
- Gender equality, human rights, peacebuilding, governance reform, anti-corruption, and related fields.
- Can government or political organizations apply?
- No, affiliated organizations are not eligible.
- What is the program duration?
- Activities run during 2026–2027.
Conclusion
The ActionAid Eastern Europe Capacity-Building Programme provides a comprehensive support framework for women-led and women’s rights organizations in Ukraine. Through training, mentoring, peer learning, advocacy support, and flexible funding of up to EUR 6,300, the initiative strengthens organizational resilience and leadership capacity. By empowering civil society actors, the program contributes to more inclusive governance, stronger advocacy systems, and sustainable social impact across Ukraine.
For more information, visit Public Space.