Open Call: Economic Resilience Lab Program for CSOs (Ukraine)

The Economic Resilience Lab Program 2026 provides training, mentorship, and grants up to $30,000 for civil society organizations in Ukraine to develop employment and self-employment solutions. It targets vulnerable groups such as women, veterans, displaced persons, and people with disabilities. The program combines intensive training in Lviv with mentoring and funding to create scalable, market-driven workforce projects.

What Is the Economic Resilience Lab Program?

The Economic Resilience Lab Program is a structured initiative designed to help organizations create, test, and scale employment solutions in Ukraine.

It integrates:

• Capacity-building training

• Expert mentorship

• Financial support (grants)

The goal is to strengthen economic resilience, improve workforce participation, and address labor market gaps.

Program Objectives

The program focuses on solving key employment challenges in Ukraine by:

• Increasing employment and self-employment opportunities

• Supporting vulnerable and underrepresented groups

• Strengthening local economies and workforce systems

• Improving alignment between training and labor market needs

• Encouraging scalable and sustainable employment models

Target Beneficiaries (Who the Projects Must Support)

Projects funded under this program must focus on:

• Women (including leadership development)

• Veterans and their families

• People with disabilities

• Internally displaced persons (IDPs)

• Residents of frontline and liberated communities

Key Program Components

1. School of Organizational Capacity (Training Phase)

A core component of the program is a 4-day intensive training:

• Location: Lviv, Ukraine

• Timeline: May 2026

• Format: In-person, expert-led workshops

Participants will:

• Refine project strategies

• Improve participant selection processes

• Align training with labor market demand

• Build partnerships with employers

• Design internship and job placement pathways

2. Mentorship Phase

After training:

• Duration: 3 weeks

• Participants receive expert mentoring

Focus areas:

• Strengthening project proposals

• Improving scalability and feasibility

• Preparing for final submission

3. Grant Funding

Selected organizations receive:

• Up to $30,000 per project

Funding supports:

• Implementation of retraining programs

• Employment and job placement initiatives

• Entrepreneurship and small business development

Priority Sectors

The program prioritizes high-impact and growth-oriented sectors:

• Light industry

• Technology and dual-use production

• Construction

• Agriculture and food processing

• Craft and small-scale production

• Renewable energy

• Care economy (health, social services)

• Veteran support services

• Skilled trades and services

Types of Supported Projects

Eligible projects may include:

Employment & Training Programs

• Short-term, job-oriented training aligned with market demand

• Skills development programs linked to real job opportunities

Job Placement & Career Support

• Job search assistance

• Internship placement programs

• Employer partnerships

Entrepreneurship Development

• Small business training

• Self-employment support

• Startup incubation for vulnerable groups

Leadership & Inclusion Initiatives

• Leadership programs for women and veterans

• Inclusion-focused workforce programs

Pilot & Innovation Projects

• Experimental employment models

• Scalable solutions for systemic labor market challenges

Who Is Eligible?

The program is open to:

Eligible Applicants

• Civil society organizations (CSOs)

• Nonprofits with experience in adult education or workforce development

Key Requirements

• Proven experience in training or employment programs

• Ability to implement projects at scale

• Focus on vulnerable populations

• Capacity to deliver measurable results

Geographic Eligibility

• Projects can be implemented across Ukraine

• Exclusion: Kyiv region

Why This Program Matters

Economic Recovery

• Supports Ukraine’s post-crisis recovery

• Strengthens local and regional economies

Workforce Development

• Reduces unemployment and skill mismatches

• Builds a future-ready workforce

Social Impact

• Empowers marginalized groups

• Promotes inclusive economic participation

Long-Term Sustainability

• Encourages scalable and replicable solutions

• Builds institutional capacity in organizations

How the Program Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Application Submission

Organizations apply with initial project concepts focused on employment solutions.

Step 2: Selection for Training

Shortlisted applicants are invited to the School of Organizational Capacity.

Step 3: Attend Training in Lviv

Participants refine their project design with expert guidance.

Step 4: Mentorship Phase

Organizations receive 3 weeks of mentoring to strengthen proposals.

Step 5: Final Proposal Submission

Applicants submit improved, fully developed project plans.

Step 6: Grant Award

Selected organizations receive funding (up to $30,000).

Step 7: Project Implementation

Organizations launch and manage their employment or training programs.

Step 8: Monitoring & Learning

Projects are evaluated based on outcomes and scalability.

Tips for a Successful Application

Best Practices

• Align training programs with real labor market demand

• Partner with employers for job placement

• Focus on measurable outcomes (jobs created, trainees placed)

• Design scalable and sustainable solutions

• Clearly define target beneficiaries

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak link between training and employment outcomes

• Lack of employer involvement

• Overly broad or unclear project scope

• Unrealistic timelines or budgets

• عدم measuring impact or results

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum grant amount?

Organizations can receive up to $30,000 per project.

2. Is participation in training mandatory?

Yes. Selected applicants must attend the School of Organizational Capacity in Lviv.

3. Who can benefit from the projects?

Projects must support vulnerable groups such as women, veterans, displaced persons, and people with disabilities.

4. Can projects be implemented anywhere in Ukraine?

Yes, except for the Kyiv region, which is excluded.

5. What types of organizations can apply?

Civil society organizations with experience in adult learning or workforce development.

6. Are entrepreneurship projects eligible?

Yes. The program supports self-employment and small business development initiatives.

7. What makes a strong proposal?

A strong proposal:

• Aligns with labor market demand

• Includes employer partnerships

• Shows measurable impact

• Demonstrates scalability

Final Takeaway

The Economic Resilience Lab Program 2026 is a high-impact opportunity for civil society organizations to design and implement employment solutions in Ukraine. By combining training, mentorship, and funding, it ensures that ideas are transformed into practical, scalable projects.

Organizations that focus on real job outcomes, strong partnerships, and measurable impact will be best positioned to secure funding and contribute to Ukraine’s long-term economic resilience.