Deadline: 15-Oct-2025
The CIVIC has launched the Local Initiatives Fund to support community-led solutions that protect civilians in war-affected regions.
The The fund is designed to strengthen the capacity of local civil society organizations to respond to urgent civilian protection needs in coordination with local authorities and other relevant agencies. It emphasizes locally driven approaches that reflect community priorities and promote safety and resilience in conflict settings.
The programme focuses on two main priorities: strengthening the physical protection of civilians and ensuring their access to reliable security-related information. In modern conflict environments, timely access to trustworthy information and well-coordinated safety measures can save lives. CIVIC aims to help communities develop systems that reduce the sense of threat, lower exposure to danger, and enable people to safely access basic services and security.
Projects supported by the fund are expected to establish or enhance protection tools such as evacuation plans, threat warning systems, civil-military coordination mechanisms, improved bomb shelters, and safety classrooms. Initiatives may also include awareness campaigns, training sessions, and community platforms that help civilians understand and respond to security threats. All activities should consider the specific needs of vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or limited mobility.
CIVIC will support up to ten projects, each receiving up to $15,000, with implementation periods of up to six months. Civil society organizations may submit up to two proposals each. Projects should address one or both thematic areas—physical protection and access to reliable security information—and prioritize practical, local measures that directly improve civilian safety.
The 2025 competition will be held in selected communities across three regions of Ukraine: Makarivska, Nemishaivska, Studenykyvska, Tashanska, and Slavutytska in Kyiv region; Lypovodolynska and Synivska in Sumy region; and Petrivsko-Romenska, Velykobudishchanska, and Serhiivska in Poltava region. All projects must be implemented between November 15, 2025 and May 15, 2026.
Through this fund, CIVIC seeks to empower local actors to play a central role in civilian protection. By equipping communities with tools, knowledge, and capacity to respond to threats, the Local Initiatives Fund aims to reduce harm, build resilience, and strengthen trust between civilians and the institutions responsible for their safety.
For more information, visit Public Space.