Grant Call for Judiciary and Human Rights Initiatives (Ukraine)

Deadline: 15-Jun-2026

The 3E4U programme provides grants to Ukrainian civil society organisations (CSOs) to support EU accession-related reforms in Judiciary, Human Rights, and Law Enforcement. The initiative strengthens civil society engagement in policymaking and implementation linked to Ukraine’s EU integration, particularly aligning legislation with the EU acquis communautaire in Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security).

Programme focus areas

• EU accession contribution: Advance Ukraine’s alignment with EU legislation in judiciary, human rights, and law enforcement.

• Expert analytical work: Produce high-quality research, assessments, and evidence-based recommendations.

• Umbrella approach: Engage a broader number of civil society organisations across sectors, regions, and social groups.

• Gender equality: Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

• Sustainability: Ensure long-term sustainability of project outcomes beyond the grant period.

Funding details

• Maximum grant amount: €85,000 per project.

• Number of awards: 4 Ukrainian CSOs selected competitively.

• Currency: Funds disbursed in euros (EUR).

• Procurement: Purchase of goods allowed only on a very limited scale (focus on expert/analytical work).

• Project timeline:

  • Start: Late summer 2026.

  • End: By 31 December 2027.

Semantic SEO terms

3E4U programme Ukraine, EU accession grants Ukraine, Ukrainian civil society grants, Chapter 23 EU accession Ukraine, Chapter 24 EU accession Ukraine, judiciary reforms Ukraine, human rights reforms Ukraine, law enforcement reforms Ukraine, acquis communautaire Ukraine, CSO umbrella organisation Ukraine, gender equality EU integration Ukraine.

Expanded explanation of key concepts

EU acquis communautaire

The accumulated body of EU law, including treaties, legislation, and court rulings that candidate countries must adopt to join the EU. Ukraine must align its national legislation with this framework.

Chapter 23 — Judiciary and Fundamental Rights

Covers judicial independence, efficiency, accountability, fundamental rights protection, data protection, anti-discrimination, and rule of law. Critical for EU membership negotiations.

Chapter 24 — Justice, Freedom and Security

Addresses justice systems, fight against organised crime, corruption, money laundering, border management, visa policy, asylum, and migration.

Umbrella approach

A strategy where one organisation (the grantee) engages and coordinates multiple CSOs, amplifying impact by involving diverse stakeholders across sectors, regions, and social groups.

Evidence-based recommendations

Policies or reforms grounded in rigorous research, data analysis, and expert assessment rather than assumptions or political considerations.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants

• Registered non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under Ukrainian law.

• Organisations with proven experience in relevant thematic areas (judiciary, human rights, law enforcement, EU integration).

• Organisations demonstrating financial and administrative soundness through:

  • Annual reports.

  • Financial audits.

• Organisations with capacity to act as umbrella organisations, engaging wide range of stakeholders across:

  • Sectors (e.g., legal, human rights, anti-corruption).

  • Regions (across Ukraine).

  • Social groups (including marginalised communities, women, youth).

Not eligible

• For-profit entities.

• Government organisations.

• International organisations (unless specified otherwise).

• Organisations without Ukrainian registration.

• Organisations lacking financial/administrative documentation.

Priority themes and focus areas

• Judicial reform: Independence, efficiency, accountability, anti-corruption in judiciary.

• Fundamental rights protection: Human rights monitoring, anti-discrimination, data protection.

• Law enforcement reform: Police accountability, rule of law, fight against organised crime.

• Analytical work: Research, policy assessments, gap analysis against EU acquis.

• Gender equality: Women’s empowerment in justice and security sectors.

• CSO coordination: Building networks, coalition-building, advocacy platforms.

• Sustainability: Ensuring reforms and CSO capacity endure post-project.

Required documents (typical)

• Registration certificate under Ukrainian law.

• Organisational profile and mission statement.

• Proof of thematic experience:

  • List of past projects in judiciary, human rights, law enforcement, or EU integration.

  • Case studies or examples of impact.

• Financial documentation:

  • Annual reports (last 2–3 years).

  • Financial audits (last 2–3 years).

• Proposal narrative:

  • Problem statement and alignment with EU accession.

  • Objectives, activities, methodology.

  • Work plan and timeline.

  • Budget (maximum €85,000).

  • Sustainability plan.

• Umbrella approach documentation:

  • List of partner CSOs to be engaged.

  • MOUs or letters of support from partners.

  • Coordination mechanism description.

• Gender equality plan: How the project promotes women’s empowerment.

• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

• Monitoring and evaluation framework.

How to apply — step-by-step

1. Review the official call documentation:

   • Download full guidelines from the 3E4U programme website or EU delegation to Ukraine.

2. Confirm eligibility:

   • Verify Ukrainian NGO registration, thematic experience, and financial soundness.

3. Design project concept:

   • Focus on expert/analytical work aligned with Chapter 23 or Chapter 24.

   • Plan umbrella approach engaging multiple CSOs.

   • Integrate gender equality components.

4. Build consortium (umbrella approach):

   • Identify partner CSOs across sectors and regions.

   • Secure letters of support or MOUs.

5. Develop proposal:

   • Write narrative with clear objectives, methodology, and EU alignment.

   • Create detailed work plan (late summer 2026–December 2027).

   • Prepare itemised budget (max €85,000; limit goods procurement).

6. Prepare supporting documents:

   • Registration certificate.

   • Audits and annual reports.

   • Partner letters/MOUs.

   • Gender equality plan.

   • M&E framework.

7. Submit application:

   • Follow 3E4U submission portal/instructions.

   • Submit before deadline.

8. Await selection:

   • Competitive process selects 4 organisations.

9. If awarded:

   • Sign grant agreement.

   • Implement project per approved plan.

   • Submit progress and final reports.

Budget considerations

• Maximum: €85,000 per project.

• Allowable costs:

  • Personnel (project staff, experts, researchers).

  • Consultant fees (legal experts, EU policy analysts).

  • Travel and accommodation (for meetings, fieldwork).

  • Venue rental (for workshops, consultations).

  • Documentation and dissemination (reports, publications).

  • Administrative costs (limited overhead).

• Limited procurement: Goods purchase allowed only on very limited scale (focus on services, expertise, activities).

• Currency: All funds in euros.

• Co-financing: Check if matching funds required or encouraged.

Evaluation criteria (typical)

• Relevance: Alignment with EU accession priorities (Chapters 23 & 24).

• Quality of analytical work: Methodology, expertise, evidence-based approach.

• Umbrella approach: Strength of partnership network and stakeholder engagement.

• Gender equality: Integration of women’s empowerment and gender perspectives.

• Impact: Potential to influence policy and advance EU integration.

• Sustainability: Long-term viability of outcomes post-project.

• Organisational capacity: Financial/administrative soundness, track record.

• Budget realism: Cost-effectiveness and appropriate allocation.

Common mistakes and tips

• Mistake: Weak alignment with EU Chapters 23/24.

  • Tip: Explicitly map activities to specific acquis requirements and negotiation chapters.

• Mistake: Insufficient partner engagement.

  • Tip: Secure strong MOUs/letters from diverse CSOs; demonstrate umbrella approach.

• Mistake: No gender component.

  • Tip: Include specific activities and indicators for women’s empowerment.

• Mistake: Overemphasis on goods procurement.

  • Tip: Focus budget on expert work, research, consultations, activities.

• Mistake: Incomplete financial documentation.

  • Tip: Submit recent audits and annual reports showing financial soundness.

• Mistake: Unrealistic timeline.

  • Tip: Ensure project fits within late summer 2026–December 2027 window.

• Tip: Emphasise evidence-based policy recommendations with clear pathways to influence.

• Tip: Include monitoring and evaluation with measurable indicators.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for 3E4U grants?

   • Registered Ukrainian NGOs with proven experience in judiciary, human rights, or law enforcement reforms, and demonstrated financial/administrative soundness.

2. What is the maximum grant amount?

   • €85,000 per project.

3. How many organisations will receive funding?

   • Four Ukrainian civil society organisations will be selected.

4. What is the project duration?

   • Projects start in late summer 2026 and must be completed by 31 December 2027.

5. Can I purchase equipment with grant funds?

   • Procurement of goods is allowed only on a very limited scale; focus should be on expert/analytical work and activities.

6. What is the umbrella approach?

   • Grantee acts as coordinating organisation engaging multiple CSOs across sectors, regions, and social groups to amplify impact.

7. Must gender equality be addressed?

   • Yes, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment is a priority focus area.

Reporting and post-award obligations

• Progress reports: Regular updates (frequency specified in grant agreement).

• Financial reports: Detailed expenditure reports with supporting documentation.

• Final report: Comprehensive narrative and financial report including:

  • Outputs and outcomes.

  • Policy influence achieved.

  • CSO engagement metrics.

  • Gender equality outcomes.

  • Sustainability plan implementation.

• Monitoring: Be prepared for site visits or audits by programme managers.

• Dissemination: Share research findings, policy recommendations, and best practices with stakeholders.

Strategic alignment with EU accession

• Chapter 23 alignment: Support judicial independence, fundamental rights, anti-discrimination, and rule of law reforms.

• Chapter 24 alignment:Strengthen justice systems, fight organised crime, improve law enforcement accountability.

• Civil society role: CSOs provide independent oversight, policy analysis, and advocacy essential for credible reform.

• EU integration: Projects contribute directly to Ukraine’s progress in EU negotiation chapters.

Conclusion

The 3E4U programme offers €85,000 grants to four Ukrainian NGOs to advance EU accession reforms through expert analytical work, umbrella CSO engagement, and gender-sensitive approaches in judiciary, human rights, and law enforcement. Competitive applicants demonstrate strong thematic expertise, financial soundness, robust partnership networks, and clear plans for sustainable policy impact aligned with EU Chapters 23 and 24.

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