Deadline: 08-Dec-2025

UNICEF, in partnership with the Government of Ukraine, is inviting applications to strengthen child- and youth-responsive planning, budgeting, and public investment systems. The initiative focuses on improving public finance, governance, and service delivery to enhance human capital outcomes for children, adolescents, and families affected by conflict.

Overview of the UNICEF Ukraine Recovery Initiative

This funding opportunity supports UNICEF and the Government of Ukraine in strengthening planning, budgeting, and public investment systems to advance a child- and youth-responsive recovery. The project aims to integrate child- and gender-responsive principles across national, regional, and local levels, addressing the urgent impact of war on children and youth, including disrupted education, displacement, poverty, and psychosocial distress.

Focus Areas

Key areas of support include:

• Child- and Gender-Responsive Planning: Integrating child- and gender-sensitive approaches in public finance and investment systems

• Policy and Governance: Strengthening Public Financial Management for Children (PF4C), Public Investment Management (PIM), and decentralization processes

• Strategic Planning: Aligning national and subnational plans with EU integration standards

• Capacity Development: Training and capacity building for ministries, regional authorities, and local governments

• Data and Research: Promoting monitoring, evaluation, and spatial data analysis for investment decisions

• Service Delivery: Restoring equitable access to essential services and social infrastructure

• Youth Leadership: Supporting youth participation in planning and recovery initiatives

• Advocacy and Resource Mobilization: Strengthening policy advocacy, communication for development, and funding strategies

Geographic Scope

The initiative operates across six Ukrainian oblasts:

• Poltava

• Odeska

• Dnipropetrovsk

• Kyiv

• Lvivska

• Kharkivska

Selected hromadas will pilot a PF4C-informed, human-centred PFM-PIM model to enhance local planning, budgeting, and investment aligned with child-focused priorities.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened national capacity for child- and youth-responsive public finance and investment management

• Capacitated regional and subnational institutions to implement PF4C principles

• Institutionalized local investment models that improve recovery planning, prioritization, and service delivery

• Indirect benefits for children, adolescents, and families through equitable budgeting, improved service access, and enhanced social infrastructure

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• National ministries and agencies

• Regional development authorities and centres of excellence

• Local government bodies with operational capacity in Ukraine

• Organisations or consortia with sector expertise, project management capacity, and local presence

Evaluation Criteria:

• Relevant sector expertise

• Experience with UN projects and local operations

• Cost-effectiveness and efficiency of proposed activities

• Clarity and feasibility of implementation plan

• Innovative approaches to child- and youth-responsive recovery

• Alignment with expected results and strategic objectives

Project Duration

• Start Date: 15 January 2026

• End Date: 31 July 2027

• Duration: 18 months

How to Apply

1. Prepare a detailed proposal covering:

   • Project objectives and methodology

   • Implementation plan and timeline

   • Budget and cost-effectiveness

   • Risk assessment and mitigation measures

   • Capacity-building and sustainability strategy

2. Submit applications through the designated online platform by 8 December 2025

3. Selected applicants will be notified on 18 December 2025

4. Implementation will commence on 15 January 2026

Tips for Applicants

• Ensure alignment with child- and gender-responsive principles

• Demonstrate innovative, human-centred approaches to public finance and investment

• Include clear plans for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL)

• Highlight experience with UN agencies and operational presence in Ukraine

• Provide realistic budgeting and resource allocation

FAQ

Q1: Who is the target group for this initiative? National ministries, regional authorities, local governments, children, adolescents, and families.
Q2: What geographic areas are covered? Poltava, Odeska, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Lvivska, and Kharkivska oblasts.
Q3: What is the project duration? 18 months, from January 2026 to July 2027.
Q4: Can consortia apply? Yes, applications from single organizations or consortia with relevant expertise are eligible.
Q5: What criteria will applications be evaluated on? Sector expertise, project management capacity, cost-effectiveness, relevance, clarity, and innovation.
Q6: What are key focus areas for funding? Child- and gender-responsive planning, public finance reform, strategic planning, capacity development, data and research, service delivery, youth leadership, and advocacy.
Q7: When will selected applicants be notified? By 18 December 2025.

Conclusion

This UNICEF initiative provides a critical opportunity to strengthen child- and youth-responsive recovery in Ukraine. By supporting enhanced planning, budgeting, and investment systems at national, regional, and local levels, the program aims to protect and empower children and adolescents while building resilient public finance and governance structures aligned with EU standards.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.