Deadline: 17-Aug-2025
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a competition titled Civil Society Empowerment for Human Rights Protection during the War in Ukraine. This call for proposals is part of the broader “Civil Society and Youth Support” project under the Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric Portfolio, which supports democratic policies, human rights, gender equality, and civic engagement in Ukraine.
Since January 2023, the Civil Society and Youth Support Project (CSYP) has been implemented with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, running through to December 2026. It operates on three levels: empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) at the local level, enabling a supportive national policy environment, and strengthening youth leadership and civic participation. The project focuses on building resilience, encouraging cooperation between experienced CSOs and youth-led initiatives, and supporting youth-driven projects.
In this context, CSOs are seen as vital in monitoring rights violations, offering legal assistance, and ensuring people-centered recovery policies. The current call supports innovative and evidence-based proposals from Ukrainian CSOs to protect and restore human rights during the war. Proposals should prioritize vulnerable populations such as internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, older individuals, veterans and their families, ethnic minorities, stateless people, and survivors of sexual violence or torture.
Projects are expected to deliver survivor-centered legal aid, psychosocial support, and safe referral pathways. Additionally, the call aims to strengthen legal aid networks through capacity building, peer learning, and coordinated outreach in conflict-affected and high-displacement regions, including frontline and recently de-occupied areas.
The primary goal of the competition is to protect human rights and support vulnerable groups in Ukraine. Supported initiatives should reach up to 6,000 individuals. Proposals must focus on at least one key objective, such as providing legal aid, preventing gender-based violence, supporting veterans, or enhancing the capacity of CSOs in delivering quality services in difficult settings.
The maximum budget per proposal is USD 80,000, with a project implementation period of up to 12 months. Alternatively, applicants may submit two smaller proposals of up to USD 40,000 each for six-month durations. Costs must be necessary for implementation, follow principles of sound financial management, and be properly documented.
Eligible expenses include salaries, expert fees, consultative services, supplies, protective equipment, printing, utilities, event-related services, and travel aligned with UNDP and national guidelines.
Applications are accepted from all regions under Ukrainian government control. Organizations must demonstrate the capacity to operate in their proposed areas. Eligible applicants include non-profit entities officially registered in Ukraine, such as charitable organizations and civil society associations. Ineligible entities include for-profit organizations, political parties, state or religious institutions, and private individuals or entrepreneurs.
To be considered, applicants must have at least four years of experience, a track record of effective project delivery, and prior collaboration with international donors.
For more information, visit UNDP.
