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CFAs: Competition “Civil Society Engagement in the Process of Ukraine’s Accession to the EU”

Deadline: 03-Feb-2026

The International Renaissance Foundation has launched the “Civil Society Engagement in the Process of Ukraine’s Accession to the EU” competition to strengthen the role of civil society in Ukraine’s EU integration. The initiative funds expert analysis, advocacy, and public dialogue to ensure informed, inclusive, and evidence-based participation in EU accession negotiations and reforms.

Overview of the Competition

The International Renaissance Foundation (IRF) is inviting applications for its grant competition “Civil Society Engagement in the Process of Ukraine’s Accession to the EU.”

The competition aims to strengthen civil society’s contribution to Ukraine’s European Union accession by ensuring that non-governmental expertise plays a meaningful role in negotiations, legislative alignment, policy development, and public dialogue.

This initiative supports Ukraine’s European integration “homework” by promoting informed, inclusive, and transparent engagement across key stakeholders involved in the accession process.

Purpose and Strategic Objectives

The primary purpose of the competition is to empower civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively and effectively participate in Ukraine’s EU accession process.

Key objectives include:

  • Strengthening expert civil society input into EU accession negotiations

  • Improving the quality of public policy and legislative reforms

  • Enhancing democratic oversight and accountability

  • Increasing public understanding of EU-related reforms

  • Supporting inclusive stakeholder dialogue at national and local levels

Total Budget and Grant Size

  • Total competition budget: 35 million Ukrainian hryvnias

  • Minimum grant size: 500,000 hryvnias

  • Maximum grant size: 1.8 million hryvnias

  • Optimal grant range: 1 million to 1.4 million hryvnias

Project Duration and Timeline

  • Maximum project duration: Up to 12 months

  • Expected project start: No earlier than March–April 2026

Applicants should ensure that timelines are realistic and aligned with the EU accession agenda.

What the Competition Supports

The competition supports civil society initiatives that contribute directly to Ukraine’s EU accession process through the following activities.

Expert Analysis and Monitoring

  • Independent analysis of Ukraine’s compliance with EU law and policies

  • Monitoring of reforms across EU negotiation chapters

  • Assessment of alignment with EU acquis communautaire

Advocacy and Policy Support

  • Advocacy related to EU accession reforms

  • Assistance in drafting, implementing, and monitoring government action plans

  • Support for fulfilling EU recommendations

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building

  • Engagement with public authorities, local governments, and professional communities

  • Training and capacity-building activities for civil society and opinion leaders

  • Facilitation of dialogue between civil society, policymakers, and EU stakeholders

Public Communication and Dialogue

  • Clear communication of legislative and policy reforms

  • Public education on EU accession requirements and implications

  • Improving the quality of public debate on European integration

Priority Areas of Support

Priority will be given to projects that focus on:

  • Monitoring Ukraine’s progress toward EU membership requirements

  • Assessing the impact of reforms on Ukraine and the European Union

  • Analyzing how future EU enlargement may influence EU policies

  • Evaluating reform consequences across sectors and governance levels

  • Strengthening evidence-based decision-making

Comparative and International Perspectives

The competition encourages comparative analysis drawing on experiences from other EU candidate countries, particularly those demonstrating strong reform performance.

Supported projects may include:

  • Comparative studies of legislative alignment

  • Best practices in sectoral integration

  • Lessons learned from successful accession pathways

  • Dialogue with European experts on sensitive enlargement-related issues

These activities are expected to produce practical, context-specific recommendations for Ukraine.

Expected Results and Impact

Funded projects are expected to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Increased analytical and institutional capacity of civil society organizations

  • Stronger civil society participation in accession negotiations

  • Improved understanding of EU law and policy among key stakeholders

  • Higher-quality public dialogue on reforms and EU integration

  • Enhanced transparency and accountability in the accession process

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Ukrainian civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations

  • Think tanks and policy research organizations

  • Advocacy and expert groups with relevant EU integration expertise

Applicants must demonstrate experience in policy analysis, advocacy, EU-related work, or stakeholder engagement.

How Proposals Will Be Evaluated

Project proposals will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • Thematic relevance to Ukraine’s EU accession process

  • Logical project design and clear intervention logic

  • Feasibility and effectiveness of planned activities

  • Quality of stakeholder engagement and partnerships

  • Measurable results and sustainability of outcomes

  • Applicant’s expertise and institutional capacity

  • Budget justification and cost-effectiveness

Strong alignment between proposed activities, expected outcomes, and budget is essential.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Vague objectives not clearly linked to EU accession priorities

  • Weak analytical or methodological frameworks

  • Limited stakeholder engagement or partnerships

  • Unrealistic timelines or budgets

  • Insufficient focus on impact and sustainability

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Clearly define the EU accession chapter or policy area addressed

  • Demonstrate how civil society input will influence real policy outcomes

  • Include comparative or EU-level perspectives where relevant

  • Emphasize evidence-based analysis and expert credibility

  • Show how results will be communicated to policymakers and the public

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main goal of this competition?

To strengthen civil society’s role in Ukraine’s EU accession process through expert analysis, advocacy, and public dialogue.

2. Who is funding the competition?

The competition is funded and administered by the International Renaissance Foundation.

3. What is the maximum grant amount?

The maximum grant amount is 1.8 million hryvnias.

4. How long can projects run?

Projects may run for up to 12 months.

5. When should projects start?

Implementation should begin no earlier than March or April 2026.

6. Are comparative studies allowed?

Yes. Comparative analysis with other EU candidate countries is strongly encouraged.

7. What makes a proposal competitive?

Strong thematic relevance, expert capacity, stakeholder engagement, measurable impact, and clear budget justification.

Conclusion

The “Civil Society Engagement in the Process of Ukraine’s Accession to the EU” competition represents a significant opportunity for Ukrainian civil society to directly shape the country’s European future. By strengthening expertise, promoting informed public debate, and supporting inclusive, evidence-based policymaking, the initiative helps ensure that Ukraine’s EU accession process is transparent, democratic, and aligned with European standards.

For more information, visit International Renaissance Foundation.