Mini-Grant Competition to Support and Develop Private Children’s Spaces (Ukraine)

Deadline: 25-Sep-26

The Mini-Grant Competition is inviting applications from women entrepreneurs in selected regions of Ukraine to create or improve private children’s spaces that support children’s development, learning, creativity, and well-being. The competition aims to strengthen the sustainability of women-led businesses in the children’s services sector by supporting the creation and development of private children’s spaces across selected regions of Ukraine.

About the Mini-Grant Competition

The Mini-Grant Competition supports women entrepreneurs who operate private institutions and spaces providing services for children. The programme focuses on helping entrepreneurs create new or strengthen existing programmes, services, and opportunities that respond to the needs of children and local communities. Priority is given to projects that can continue operating after the grant period and contribute to the long-term sustainability of children’s services. Where Can Projects Be Implemented? The competition supports eligible projects in the following regions of Ukraine: - Dnipropetrovsk - Zaporizhzhia - Kharkiv - Mykolaiv - Kherson - Sumy - Chernihiv - Odesa - Poltava - Cherkasy Applicants must meet the programme’s location and business eligibility requirements. How Much Funding Is Available? Successful applicants can receive up to UAH 70,000. The grant is intended to support specific programmes, services, or opportunities for children within an existing business. Funding can be used for resources that are directly necessary to implement the proposed initiative. What Can the Grant Fund? Grant funding may be used for eligible project-related resources, including: - Necessary equipment. - Materials. - Books. - Specialized tools. - Other resources directly required to implement the proposed initiative. Equipment purchases or renovations must be clearly justified by the project’s objectives. The purchase of equipment or renovation cannot be the sole purpose of the grant. The proposed project should focus on creating or developing specific programmes, services, or opportunities for children. What Types of Projects Are Prioritized? Priority is given to initiatives that address current needs of children and communities. Projects are particularly encouraged when: - The children’s space is the only available space in the area. - The children’s space is one of only a few available options in the community. - The project creates a new programme, service, or opportunity for children. - The project significantly improves an existing programme or service. - The initiative has potential to continue operating after the grant period. - The project contributes to the sustainability of the applicant’s children’s services business. What Children’s Spaces Are Eligible? The competition is intended for women operating private children’s institutions and spaces.

Examples include:

- Kindergartens. - Children’s development centres. - Educational studios. - Creative studios. - Children’s clubs. - Schools. - Other private children’s spaces. The proposed initiative should be connected to the applicant’s existing business and provide meaningful benefits for children. Who Can Apply? The competition is open to women who own and operate private children’s institutions or spaces and meet the eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

- Be Ukrainian citizens. - Reside in Ukraine. - Own and operate a private children’s institution or space. - Have a registered and active business in Ukraine for at least three months, or have relocated their business after February 24, 2022 and have confirmed internally displaced person status. - Operate an eligible children’s service or space. - Meet the programme’s geographic requirements. Business Registration Requirement Applicants must have a registered and active business in Ukraine for at least three months. Women who relocated their businesses after February 24, 2022 may also qualify if they have confirmed internally displaced person status. This provision allows eligible women entrepreneurs who have relocated their businesses to remain within the scope of the competition. Restrictions on Applicants Applicants must comply with additional geographic and business-related restrictions.

Applicants must:

- Reside in Ukraine. - Not operate in temporarily occupied territories. - Not have business ties with Russia or Belarus. These conditions apply to applicants seeking support through the competition. Previous Grant Recipients Women who have received grant support from the Foundation within the previous 18 months are not eligible to apply. Applicants should therefore consider their previous grant history before submitting an application. Why This Mini-Grant Matters Private children’s spaces can provide important opportunities for children to learn, develop skills, express creativity, and maintain their well-being. The Mini-Grant Competition combines support for women entrepreneurs with investment in children’s services. By helping businesses create or improve programmes and services, the competition aims to strengthen both the sustainability of women’s entrepreneurship and the availability of valuable opportunities for children. Key Facts About the Mini-Grant Competition

- Programme: Mini-Grant Competition

- Country: Ukraine

- Target applicants: Women entrepreneurs

- Maximum grant: UAH 70,000

- Focus: Private children’s spaces and children’s services

- Eligible regions: Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Sumy, Chernihiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Cherkasy

- Eligible businesses: Registered and active businesses in Ukraine

- Minimum business activity: Three months

- Relocated businesses: Eligible after February 24, 2022 with confirmed internally displaced person status

- Applicant citizenship: Ukrainian

- Residence requirement: Must reside in Ukraine

- Occupied territories: Applicants must not operate in temporarily occupied territories

- Russia/Belarus restriction: Applicants