Funding Opportunity for Child and Youth Leisure Development Projects (Ukraine)

The grant competition supports projects that improve leisure, creativity, learning, and participation opportunities for children and adolescents in the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine. The initiative funds child-centered, inclusive, and safe activities that strengthen community resilience, encourage creativity, and increase meaningful involvement of young people in decisions affecting their lives.

Selected projects will receive grants ranging from UAH 4,500,000 to UAH 8,555,000 for activities lasting up to nine months.

About the Child and Adolescent Participation Grant Competition

The grant competition supports initiatives designed to improve the quality of leisure, creative development, and social participation opportunities for children and adolescents in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

The programme aims to help communities create safe, inclusive, and engaging environments where young people can:

• Develop creative skills.
• Participate in meaningful activities.
• Build confidence and communication skills.
• Access educational and recreational opportunities.
• Contribute to decisions about their own interests and needs.

The initiative supports community resilience by strengthening opportunities for children and adolescents during challenging social conditions.

Programme Background

The activity is implemented under the PFRU initiative, which focuses on strengthening the resilience of Ukrainian communities in response to the impacts of Russian aggression.

The programme supports cooperation between:

• Local governments.
• Civil society organisations.
• Media organisations.
• Private sector partners.
• Community stakeholders.

Through this collaboration, the initiative aims to improve local services and create sustainable opportunities for children and adolescents.

Objectives of the Grant Programme

The main objective is to expand access to high-quality leisure and development opportunities for young people.

The programme focuses on:

• Strengthening community resilience.
• Supporting creative expression among children and adolescents.
• Increasing participation in sports and physical activities.
• Promoting informal education and learning.
• Encouraging communication and social interaction.
• Supporting youth involvement in decision-making.
• Creating safe and inclusive environments.
• Increasing opportunities for underserved groups.
• Preventing gender stereotypes in project design and delivery.

Types of Activities Supported

Projects can include different formats that encourage creativity, learning, and personal development.

Eligible activities may include:

• Creative studios and clubs.
• Training sessions.
• Media and creative workshops.
• Educational intensives.
• Youth camps.
• Study trips.
• Mentoring programmes.
• Meetings with professionals and practitioners.
• Communication and leadership activities.
• Other innovative leisure formats.

Projects should provide regular and meaningful opportunities rather than one-time activities.

Child-Centered and Inclusive Approach

A key requirement of the programme is ensuring that children and adolescents are active participants, not only beneficiaries.

Projects should:

• Include young people in planning activities.
• Consider their interests and needs.
• Encourage participation in decision-making.
• Create safe spaces for expression.
• Support children from different backgrounds.

Special attention should be given to children and adolescents who have limited access to:

• Quality leisure activities.
• Safe community spaces.
• Creative opportunities.
• Sports and physical activities.
• Informal learning programmes.

Focus on Community Needs

The competition recognises that communities in the Dnipropetrovsk region have different starting conditions.

The programme highlights the need for:

• Modern approaches to youth leisure.
• Regular and structured activities.
• Better access to creative and educational opportunities.
• Greater involvement of children in shaping programmes.

Both the Verkhniodniprovska community and the city of Dnipro require approaches that place children and adolescents at the centre of programme design.

Who Is Eligible?

The opportunity is intended for organisations capable of implementing community-based projects that support children and adolescents.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience working with children and youth.
• Ability to deliver safe and inclusive activities.
• Capacity to manage large-scale grant funding.
• Understanding of child-centered approaches.
• Ability to engage communities and local stakeholders.

Organisations should also demonstrate commitment to:

• Equality and inclusion.
• Protection of children.
• Gender-sensitive programming.
• Meaningful youth participation.

Funding Amount and Project Duration

Each selected project will receive funding support for implementation.

Funding details:

• Grant duration: 9 months.
• Implementation period: Until the end of June 2027.
• Expected grant size: UAH 4,500,000 to UAH 8,555,000.

The final grant amount will be determined during the grant negotiation process.

How the Grant Programme Works

Selected organisations will design and implement activities that respond to local needs.

The implementation process includes:

1. Project Planning

Applicants develop activities based on the needs of children and adolescents in their communities.

2. Community Engagement

Projects involve:

• Children and young people.
• Parents and caregivers.
• Local stakeholders.
• Community organisations.

3. Activity Delivery

Organisations implement regular leisure, creative, educational, and participation activities.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

Projects track:

• Number of participants.
• Quality of activities.
• Inclusion outcomes.
• Youth participation levels.
• Community impact.

5. Final Reporting

Grant recipients submit reports on achievements, results, and lessons learned.

Why This Programme Matters

Children and adolescents affected by conflict and social disruption need safe opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection.

The programme helps communities by:

• Supporting child wellbeing.
• Strengthening social connections.
• Encouraging creativity and confidence.
• Improving access to opportunities.
• Helping young people become active community members.

By investing in youth participation, the initiative contributes to stronger and more resilient communities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Designing projects without consulting children and adolescents.
• Focusing only on one-time events.
• Ignoring inclusion requirements.
• Using adult-only decision-making approaches.
• Failing to provide safe and accessible activities.
• Including gender stereotypes in project design.
• Submitting unrealistic budgets.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the community need.
• Show how children will participate in decision-making.
• Include inclusive approaches for underserved groups.
• Provide realistic activity plans.
• Demonstrate experience working with youth.
• Include measurable outcomes.
• Explain how activities will continue to benefit communities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the purpose of this grant competition?
The programme supports projects that improve leisure, creativity, learning, and participation opportunities for children and adolescents in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

2. What types of projects can receive support?
Projects may include creative workshops, clubs, training sessions, camps, mentoring programmes, educational activities, and youth participation initiatives.

3. How much funding is available?
Individual grants are expected to range from UAH 4,500,000 to UAH 8,555,000.

4. How long will funded projects run?
Each project is expected to last nine months and continue until the end of June 2027.

5. Must children participate in project planning?
Yes. Projects should ensure meaningful participation of children and adolescents in planning and implementation.

6. Are inclusive projects prioritised?
Yes. The programme encourages activities that support underserved groups and provide safe access for different categories of children and adolescents.

7. What approach should projects follow?
Projects should use child-centered, inclusive, safe, and gender-sensitive approaches.

Conclusion

The grant competition provides significant support for organisations working to improve opportunities for children and adolescents in the Dnipropetrovsk region. By funding creative, inclusive, and participatory activities, the programme aims to strengthen community resilience, support youth development, and ensure that young people have meaningful opportunities to learn, create, and participate in community life.