Deadline: 30-Jan-2026
The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is offering small grants to support associations of families of missing persons and civil society organizations in Ukraine. The funding aims to strengthen family participation, civil society engagement, and state accountability in addressing the issue of missing persons, with grants ranging from USD 3,000 to 15,000.
Programme Overview
The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) has launched a small grants competition to support associations of families of missing persons and civil society organizations working in Ukraine.
The programme focuses on empowering families, strengthening their collective voice, and enhancing cooperation between families, civil society, and state institutions involved in resolving cases of missing persons.
Objectives of the Grant Programme
The ICMP small grants programme is designed to address both rights-based and capacity-building needs related to missing persons in Ukraine.
Key objectives include strengthening the participation of families in decision-making and accountability processes, improving collaboration with public authorities, and building organizational and advocacy capacity among family associations and civil society organizations.
The programme also aims to increase knowledge and skills related to data collection, advocacy, organizational development, and participation in policy processes.
Funding Amount and Duration
Grant funding per project ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 15,000.
For single events with a short implementation timeline, funding of up to USD 5,000 may be awarded, with a maximum implementation period of two months.
Projects must be implemented between April–May and October 2026, within the overall programme period of January to December 2026.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The competition supports initiatives that protect the rights of families of missing persons and strengthen their associations.
Eligible activities may include exhibitions and publications focused on missing persons, commemorative or advocacy events, legal support for families, development or strengthening of networks of family associations, educational and training programmes, and initiatives that improve internal governance and organizational capacity.
Both programme-related costs and organizational costs directly linked to project activities are eligible for funding.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible applicants include associations and organizations of families of missing persons, regardless of whether they are formally registered.
Other non-governmental, non-profit, non-violent, and non-partisan civil society organizations whose work supports families of missing persons may also apply.
All applicants must be registered and or actively operating in Ukraine. Preference is given to associations and organizations led by families of missing persons.
Ineligible Activities
Projects that primarily involve the processing of personal data of missing persons or their families are not eligible for funding.
Initiatives aimed exclusively at providing psychosocial assistance are also excluded under this competition.
Why This Programme Matters
Families of missing persons play a critical role in ensuring accountability, preserving memory, and advocating for truth and justice.
By supporting family-led associations and civil society organizations, the ICMP grant programme strengthens civic participation, reinforces human rights protections, and contributes to more effective national responses to the issue of missing persons in Ukraine.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should clearly describe how their proposed project strengthens family participation, civil society engagement, or cooperation with state institutions.
Successful proposals typically demonstrate clear objectives, realistic activities, measurable outcomes, and a strong connection to the needs of families of missing persons.
Projects that build long-term capacity and networks, rather than one-off actions, are particularly relevant to the programme’s goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the ICMP small grants competition?
The competition aims to support families of missing persons and civil society organizations in strengthening participation, advocacy, and accountability related to missing persons in Ukraine.
How much funding is available per project?
Projects may receive between USD 3,000 and USD 15,000, while single events may be funded up to USD 5,000.
Who can apply for these grants?
Eligible applicants include associations of families of missing persons and other non-profit civil society organizations operating in Ukraine.
Are unregistered family associations eligible?
Yes. Associations of families of missing persons may apply regardless of formal registration status.
What types of activities are not funded?
Projects focused mainly on personal data processing or exclusively on psychosocial assistance are not eligible.
When must funded projects be implemented?
Projects must be implemented between April–May and October 2026, within the January–December 2026 programme period.
Conclusion
The ICMP small grants competition offers vital support to families of missing persons and civil society organizations working on one of Ukraine’s most pressing humanitarian and human rights challenges.
By strengthening participation, capacity, and collaboration, the programme contributes to more inclusive, accountable, and effective efforts to address the issue of missing persons and protect the rights of affected families.
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