Deadline: 04-Mar-2026
The Abilis Foundation has launched a regional grant competition to support organizations of persons with disabilities in eastern Ukraine to strengthen capacity, promote rights, and increase local participation. Grants of up to €15,000 are available for rights-based, disability-led projects that actively involve persons with disabilities at every stage.
Overview
The Abilis Foundation is inviting applications for a regional grant competition aimed at supporting projects led by organizations of persons with disabilities in Ukraine.
The funding focuses on strengthening organizational capacity, advancing human rights, and enhancing the social participation of persons with disabilities at the local level through inclusive, rights-based approaches.
Purpose and Strategic Focus
This grant programme is designed to empower organizations of persons with disabilities to act as change agents within their communities.
Projects must be rooted in human rights, non-discrimination, equality, and meaningful participation, ensuring that persons with disabilities shape decisions that affect their lives.
Priority Focus Areas
Funded projects must align with one or more of the following priority areas.
Strengthening organizational and institutional capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities.
Protecting and advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
Providing psychological and psychosocial support at the community level.
Promoting social participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Advancing advocacy and self-advocacy for disability rights.
Applying a Human Rights-Based Approach across all project activities.
Ensuring active participation of persons with disabilities throughout planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Geographic Scope and Eligible Regions
This stage of the competition is strictly limited to eastern Ukraine.
Applications are accepted only from the following regions.
Dnipropetrovsk
Zaporizhia
Mykolaiv
Poltava
Sumy
Kharkiv
Kherson
Applications from outside these regions will not be considered under this stage of the call.
Grant Types and Funding Amounts
Two types of grants are available under this opportunity.
Small Grants
Up to €5,000
Intended for new, emerging, or small organizations of persons with disabilities.
Full Grants
From €5,001 to €15,000
Intended for organizations with proven experience and established operational capacity.
Priority is given to small and local initiatives, particularly those focused on women and girls with disabilities, psychological support, leadership development, advocacy, and self-defense.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria.
Applicants must be legally registered non-profit organizations of persons with disabilities in Ukraine.
At least 51 percent of the organization’s governing body must consist of persons with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities.
At least 50 percent of the project team must be persons with disabilities.
Organizations must demonstrate alignment with human rights, non-discrimination, and participation principles.
Projects must be designed and implemented by organizations of persons with disabilities, not merely for them.
Core Participation Requirements
Active participation of persons with disabilities is mandatory.
Persons with disabilities must be involved in needs assessment, project design, decision-making, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
Projects that treat persons with disabilities only as beneficiaries without leadership or decision-making roles are not eligible.
Application Timeline
Application opening date
4 February 2026
Application deadline
4 March 2026
Late applications or applications submitted outside the eligible regions will not be reviewed.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a complete application during the official application period.
The proposal should clearly describe the project objectives, activities, target groups, budget, and expected outcomes.
Applications must demonstrate how the project strengthens organizational capacity, advances rights, and ensures meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.
All required registration and governance documentation must be included as part of the submission.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting applications from regions not covered in this stage of the competition.
Failing to meet governance or project team composition requirements.
Proposing activities that do not clearly apply a Human Rights-Based Approach.
Treating persons with disabilities as passive beneficiaries rather than active leaders.
Submitting incomplete applications or missing required documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for the Abilis Foundation regional grant?
Only legally registered non-profit organizations of persons with disabilities in Ukraine that meet governance and participation requirements are eligible.
Which regions are eligible in this stage?
Only organizations based in Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions may apply.
How much funding is available?
Small grants of up to €5,000 and full grants ranging from €5,001 to €15,000 are available.
Are projects for women and girls with disabilities prioritized?
Yes. Projects focusing on the rights, protection, and empowerment of women and girls with disabilities receive priority consideration.
Is participation of persons with disabilities mandatory?
Yes. Persons with disabilities must actively participate at all stages of the project, including leadership and implementation roles.
Can new or small organizations apply?
Yes. Small grants are specifically designed to support new or emerging organizations of persons with disabilities.
What approach must projects follow?
All projects must apply a Human Rights-Based Approach grounded in non-discrimination, participation, and equality.
Conclusion
The Abilis Foundation regional grant competition provides targeted support for disability-led organizations in eastern Ukraine to strengthen capacity, promote rights, and enhance participation.
By prioritizing human rights, inclusion, and leadership of persons with disabilities, the programme aims to create sustainable, locally driven change that reflects lived experience and strengthens disability advocacy at the community level.
For more information, visit Public Space.
