Call for Proposals: Implementation of UN Women AI School Public Cohort in Ukraine

Deadline: 15-Feb-2026

UN Women Ukraine is inviting proposals to design and deliver a gender-responsive AI School tailored to Ukraine’s war and recovery context. The initiative focuses on ethical, human-rights-based AI education, practical capacity building, and public engagement to promote inclusive and responsible AI practices.

UN Women Ukraine AI School Program Overview

UN Women Ukraine seeks qualified organizations to provide end-to-end services for the development, delivery, and public engagement of a localized AI School program. The program is designed to strengthen practical AI competencies while embedding gender equality, women’s rights, and ethical AI principles within Ukraine’s conflict and recovery environment.

The assignment integrates curriculum design, training delivery, evidence generation, and strategic communication to ensure sustainability and future scale-up.

Program Objectives and Focus Areas

The AI School program is structured around capacity development, ethical AI adoption, and inclusive innovation. Key focus areas include curriculum development, training delivery, learning assessment, and public engagement.

Core objectives include:

• Developing a fully localized, gender-responsive AI School curriculum

• Aligning content with human-rights-based and ethical AI principles

• Strengthening practical AI competencies of participants

• Promoting awareness and behavioral change around inclusive AI

• Generating learning and evidence to support sustainability and scale-up

Curriculum Development and Learning Design

The selected organization will co-design and finalize a comprehensive AI School curriculum package. This package must reflect Ukraine’s war and recovery realities and incorporate global best practices in ethical AI.

Curriculum components must include:

• Programme structure and delivery model

• Competency framework and learning objectives

• Session outlines and moderation approach

• Assignments and applied learning activities

• Recommended AI tools and contextual use cases

Six foundational learning sessions must be fully developed with detailed content and training materials.

AI School Delivery and Capacity Building

The assignment includes delivering a high-quality AI School program that emphasizes applied learning and real-world relevance. Training delivery must prioritize participant engagement, practical skills development, and inclusive participation.

Expected delivery outcomes include:

• Strengthened participant competencies in ethical and gender-responsive AI

• Applied understanding of AI tools in humanitarian, recovery, and development contexts

• Documented learning outcomes to inform future programming

Strategic Communication and Public Engagement

A dedicated communication and public engagement campaign must be designed and implemented alongside the training program. This campaign should reinforce learning outcomes and promote dialogue on ethical and inclusive AI.

Key communication objectives include:

• Raising awareness of gender-responsive AI principles

• Encouraging public dialogue and behavioral change

• Showcasing learning outcomes and success stories

• Supporting visibility of UN Women’s mandate and values

Timeline and Budget

The assignment is time-bound and must adhere to clearly defined milestones.

Key timeframe details:

• Expected start date: March 2026

• Duration: Approximately four months

• Final deliverables due: 15 June 2026

The proposed budget must fall within the range of USD 55,000 to USD 75,000 and reflect realistic and justified costs.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

Eligible applicants must meet all mandatory organizational and operational requirements.

Organizations must:

• Be legally registered and operational in Ukraine for at least three years

• Demonstrate expertise in digital transformation and AI capacity development

• Have experience delivering AI-related programs

• Show a proven track record with international organizations or development partners

• Maintain partnerships or networks within Ukraine’s AI and tech sector

• Have an annual operating budget equal to or greater than the minimum call value

Additional Competencies That Strengthen Applications

While not mandatory, the following competencies enhance competitiveness:

• Familiarity with UN Women’s mandate and gender equality programming

• Experience addressing women’s rights and gender equality issues

• Capacity to mobilize private sector or pro bono support from AI and tech companies

• Experience organizing high-profile events such as hackathons, innovation showcases, or graduation ceremonies

Why This Initiative Matters

AI systems increasingly shape governance, recovery, and social systems. Without intentional gender and human-rights considerations, AI risks reinforcing inequality.

This AI School program:

• Promotes ethical and inclusive AI adoption in Ukraine

• Strengthens local capacity during war and recovery

• Embeds gender equality into emerging technologies

• Supports long-term digital resilience and innovation

How to Apply

Interested organizations should prepare a proposal that clearly demonstrates technical capacity, contextual understanding, and alignment with UN Women’s objectives.

Recommended application steps:

1. Review UN Women Ukraine’s mandate and program priorities

2. Develop a detailed technical proposal covering curriculum, delivery, and engagement

3. Prepare a realistic budget within the specified range

4. Demonstrate organizational eligibility and relevant experience

5. Highlight partnerships, networks, and added-value competencies

6. Submit the complete proposal by the specified deadline

Incomplete or non-compliant submissions may not be considered.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following issues:

• Generic AI training proposals without gender or context specificity

• Weak alignment with ethical and human-rights-based AI principles

• Unrealistic timelines or underdeveloped budgets

• Insufficient evidence of local presence or partnerships in Ukraine

• Limited focus on sustainability or future scale-up

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of the UN Women Ukraine AI School program?

The goal is to build practical AI competencies while promoting gender-responsive, ethical, and inclusive AI in Ukraine’s war and recovery context.

How long will the assignment last?

The assignment will run for approximately four months starting in March 2026.

What is the available budget range?

The proposed budget must be between USD 55,000 and USD 75,000.

Who can apply for this opportunity?

Legally registered organizations operating in Ukraine for at least three years with relevant AI and capacity-building expertise.

What type of curriculum is expected?

A fully localized, gender-responsive AI curriculum aligned with ethical and human-rights-based principles.

Is public engagement a mandatory component?

Yes. A strategic communication and public engagement campaign is a core deliverable.

When are final deliverables due?

All final deliverables must be submitted by 15 June 2026.

Conclusion

The UN Women Ukraine AI School initiative represents a strategic investment in ethical, inclusive, and gender-responsive AI capacity during a critical period of war and recovery. By combining curriculum development, practical training, and public engagement, the program aims to shape responsible AI practices that support equality, resilience, and long-term digital transformation in Ukraine.

For more information, visit UN Women.