RFAs: Competition Voice – Participation that Shapes Decisions Program (Ukraine)

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The International Renaissance Foundation is inviting Ukrainian civil society organizations to submit projects that strengthen the participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in shaping, implementing, and monitoring internal displacement policies. The competition has a total budget of UAH 11.15 million, with an optimal project budget of UAH 1 million to UAH 1.3 million, supporting advocacy, research, representation, dialogue, and mechanisms that help translate IDP needs into policy and government decisions. The International Renaissance Foundation is supporting Ukrainian civil society organizations working to strengthen the participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in decisions affecting internal displacement. The full-scale war in Ukraine has created the largest wave of internal displacement in the country’s modern history. Large-scale displacement has created challenges related to integration, access to services, housing, economic opportunities, and community development. In response, the International Renaissance Foundation has worked with civil society organizations, IDP Councils, experts, and government institutions to develop a shared approach to internal displacement policy. This work contributed to the approval of the Strategy for State Policy on Internal Displacement up to 2030 by the Government of Ukraine. The competition aims to move IDP participation beyond formal consultation toward meaningful influence on policy and decision-making. Supported projects should help people with displacement experience and civil society organizations influence: The focus is on creating practical mechanisms through which the experiences and needs of IDPs can lead to tangible changes. Priority will be given to initiatives that strengthen representation, participation, research, and advocacy.

Projects may focus on:

Projects should demonstrate how these activities can contribute to concrete policy or decision-making outcomes. A central goal of the competition is to strengthen the ability of IDPs to move from being consulted to actively influencing decisions. This can involve creating or improving mechanisms that allow people with displacement experience to: The proposed approach should demonstrate how participation can translate into measurable changes. Research and data collection can play an important role in strengthening advocacy. Projects may generate evidence about the needs and experiences of IDPs and use this information to support policy discussions.

Applicants can consider:

Applications based on previous assessments of IDP needs are particularly encouraged. The competition encourages projects that establish mechanisms for IDPs to influence decisions in areas directly affecting their lives.

Potential areas include:

Applicants should clearly identify the decision-making process or policy area they intend to influence. Projects involving meaningful participation from IDPs are particularly relevant to the competition. Applicants may work with IDP Councils and other groups representing people with displacement experience. Partnerships should contribute to genuine participation rather than treating IDPs only as beneficiaries or consultation participants. Projects that demonstrate meaningful collaboration with IDPs or IDP Councils are especially encouraged. Projects that can be adapted to other regions are also encouraged. Applicants should consider whether their approach, tools, research findings, participation mechanisms, or advocacy models could be useful beyond the immediate project location. A project with potential for adaptation can help generate approaches that may be applied in other communities facing similar internal displacement challenges. The competition does not support projects focused on direct service delivery or physical construction. The following activities are not supported: Projects should instead focus on participation, representation, advocacy, research, policy influence, and decision-making mechanisms. The total competition budget is UAH 11,150,000. The optimal budget for an individual project is between: Applicants should develop budgets that are realistic and directly connected to the proposed activities and expected results. Eligible applicants are Ukrainian civil society organizations that meet the competition requirements.

Eligible organizations include:

Applicants must be based in Ukraine. Organizations must have at least one year of systematic work in the field of internal displacement. Applicants should demonstrate relevant experience working with issues affecting internally displaced persons and should have experience or a clear vision for cooperation with local governments. The organization should be able to demonstrate that it has the capacity to implement the proposed project effectively. Experience or a clear plan for cooperation with local governments is an important consideration. Applicants should explain how authorities and other relevant stakeholders will participate in the project and how the proposed activities can contribute to practical changes in local decision-making. A strong proposal should demonstrate clear alignment with the objectives of the competition.

Applicants should provide:

Projects should demonstrate how their activities will lead to concrete improvements in policy, programs, or government decisions. A communication component is required. Applicants should explain how project findings, advocacy messages, research, or participation outcomes will be communicated to relevant stakeholders and wider audiences. Communication activities can help ensure that evidence and recommendations reach decision-makers, communities, civil society organizations, and people affected by internal displacement. Applicants should define results that can be demonstrated during or after implementation.

Possible results may include:

The specific indicators should be appropriate to each proposed project. Before applying,