CFAs: Supporting Public Engagement and Social Cohesion Initiatives (Ukraine)

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Supporting Local Initiatives for Public Engagement Grant supports community-driven projects that strengthen social cohesion, inclusion, civic participation, and resilience in selected regions of Ukraine. Grants of up to UAH 4,845,000 are available for initiatives that bring communities together to address local challenges, improve public spaces and services, and involve vulnerable and underserved groups in practical community development.

About the Supporting Local Initiatives for Public Engagement Grant

The grant competition is part of the Partnership for a Strong Ukraine (PFRU), a multi-year donor program implemented by Chemonics. PFRU is funded by the governments of: The program aims to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian communities affected by Russian aggression by supporting locally driven initiatives and stronger cooperation among government, civil society, media, and the private sector. The Supporting Local Initiatives for Public Engagement Grant specifically focuses on initiatives that enable communities to work together, increase inclusion, strengthen civic engagement, and develop practical responses to local needs. What Does the Grant Support? The competition supports projects that promote: - Social cohesion - Social inclusion - Community resilience - Civic engagement - Public participation - Collaboration between different community groups - Volunteer mobilization - Community-led recovery - Improvements to public spaces - Improvements to communal services - Practical local solutions - Cooperation between civil society, government and other stakeholders Projects should involve community members directly in identifying needs, developing solutions and implementing activities. Priority Target Groups Projects should actively involve groups that may face social, economic or other barriers to participation.

Target groups can include:

- Veterans and their families - Internally displaced persons (IDPs) - Youth - Older adults - People with disabilities - Other vulnerable or underserved groups Applicants should demonstrate that the participation and integration of these groups are central to the project rather than an additional or secondary component. Examples of Eligible Activities Supported initiatives may include practical community engagement and recovery activities such as: Joint Community Needs Assessments Projects can bring different groups together to identify local needs and priorities related to recovery and community development. Public Consultations Applicants can organise structured consultations that allow residents and target groups to participate in discussions about local priorities and solutions. Collaborative Solution Development Projects can support communities in jointly developing practical responses to local problems. Volunteer Mobilization Funding can help organise and mobilise volunteers to address community needs and implement locally driven activities. Small-Scale Community Projects Applicants can implement practical, community-level projects that respond to identified needs. Public Space Improvements Initiatives may support practical improvements to public spaces where these activities contribute to stronger community participation and cohesion. Communal Service Improvements Projects can help communities identify and address practical challenges related to communal services. Focus on Inclusion and Co-Creation A central requirement of the competition is meaningful participation. Applicants must clearly demonstrate that the inclusion and engagement of target groups are integrated into the project both ideologically and practically. This means projects should not simply provide activities for vulnerable groups. Instead, target groups should have meaningful opportunities to participate in identifying problems, developing solutions and carrying out activities. The competition encourages joint work and co-creation as tools for strengthening horizontal cohesion within communities. What Types of Projects Are Not the Main Focus? Projects should go beyond activities that are purely cultural or festive. For example, an event that simply brings people together for entertainment may not demonstrate the level of engagement expected under this grant. Applicants should show how participants will actively work together to: - Identify community needs - Develop solutions - Make decisions - Implement activities - Improve local environments or services - Build stronger relationships across different population groups The emphasis is on practical cooperation and sustained community engagement. Funding Available The maximum grant amount is UAH 4,845,000. However, the final grant amount will depend on: - Planned project activities - Proposed budget - Project requirements - Negotiation results The final amount may therefore be different from the maximum amount stated in the call. Grant Duration Each selected project is expected to run for 6 months. Applicants should therefore develop realistic activities and outcomes that can be achieved within the six-month implementation period. Number of Grants Up to 4 grants are expected to be awarded under this grant competition. This makes the competition relatively selective, and applicants should clearly demonstrate the relevance, feasibility and community impact of their proposed initiative. Eligible Locations in Ukraine Projects must be implemented in eligible communities within the following oblasts: - Chernihiv Oblast - Donetsk Oblast - Dnipropetrovsk Oblast - Kharkiv Oblast - Kherson Oblast - Mykolaiv Oblast - Sumy Oblast - Zaporizhzhia Oblast - Odesa Oblast A detailed list of eligible communities is provided in the full grant call documentation. Applicants should verify that their proposed project location is included in the specific list of eligible communities before preparing their application. What Makes a Strong Project? A strong proposal should demonstrate a clear connection between the community’s ne