Veterans – Drivers of Change: Community Ideas Competition (Ukraine)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Union of Mothers and Wives of Defenders of Ukraine is inviting veterans, their family members, young veteran organizations, and initiative groups from the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne regions to propose ideas for positive community change. Participants will receive training, expert and legal support, grant-writing assistance, and an opportunity to secure funding for the strongest initiatives.

About the Veterans – the Driver of Change in Communities Project

“Veterans – the Driver of Change in Communities” empowers veterans and their families to identify local challenges and develop practical community-led solutions. The project builds on an earlier initiative implemented in the Zhytomyr region, where veteran organizations used strategic planning and democratic participation tools to address community needs. The new competition extends this model to: - Khmelnytskyi region. - Rivne region. Purpose of the Project

The program aims to:

- Empower veterans as local change-makers. - Increase the civic participation of veterans and their families. - Help participants identify and address community needs. - Develop strategic-planning skills. - Improve understanding of democratic tools. - Strengthen grant-writing capacity. - Support emerging veteran organizations. - Connect young groups with experienced organizations. - Develop ideas into implementable projects. - Fund the strongest community initiatives. - Create tangible improvements in local communities. What the Program Offers

Participants will receive access to

- Strategic-planning sessions. - Training on democratic participation tools. - Grant-writing support. - Expert consultations. - Legal guidance. - Assistance developing project ideas. - Help preparing project applications. - Partnerships with experienced veteran organizations. - Networking with other veteran-led groups. - An opportunity to receive implementation funding. The program combines skills development with practical project preparation. Who Is Eligible?

The opportunity is open to:

- Active veterans. - Family members of veterans. - Young veteran organizations. - Veteran-led initiative groups.

Applicants must be based in:

- Khmelnytskyi region; or - Rivne region. The program particularly targets applicants who have not previously received grants but are motivated to create positive community change. First-Time Grant Applicants The competition is designed to help participants who are new to grant funding. Applicants do not need an extensive grant-management history, but they should demonstrate: - Commitment to their community. - A clear understanding of a local challenge. - Willingness to learn. - Readiness to attend program activities. - Ability to work with experts. - Motivation to develop a realistic project. - Capacity to participate in implementation if selected. Lack of previous grant experience is not a disadvantage under this initiative. Eligible Veteran Organizations and Initiative Groups Young veteran organizations and informal initiative groups may apply, subject to the official requirements.

Applicants should clarify:

- Whether formal registration is required. - Whether an initiative group needs a fiscal or legal partner. - Who can sign a funding agreement. - How grant funds will be administered. - Whether a bank account is required. - Which supporting documents must be submitted. The program’s legal experts may help selected participants understand these requirements. Geographic Focus Proposed projects must benefit communities in the Khmelnytskyi or Rivne regions.

Applicants should clearly identify:

- The community where the project will operate. - The local problem being addressed. - The people who will benefit. - The organizations or institutions involved. - The expected community-level results. - How local residents will participate. Projects should be locally grounded and appropriate to the selected community. Potential Community Project Ideas The official guidelines will determine eligible activities, but community-change initiatives may potentially address: Applicants should focus on one clearly defined and achievable need. Strategic-Planning Support Strategic planning helps participants turn a broad idea into a practical and sustainable initiative.

Training may help applicants:

- Analyze a community problem. - Identify root causes. - Define long-term goals. - Set achievable objectives. - Prioritize activities. - Identify stakeholders. - Assign responsibilities. - Anticipate risks. - Develop indicators. - Plan for sustainability. A strong project should connect its activities directly to the change it wants to achieve. Democratic Tools The program will introduce participants to democratic tools that can help communities influence decisions and solve local problems.

These tools may include:

- Community consultations. - Public meetings. - Local petitions. - Advocacy. - Participatory decision-making. - Engagement with local authorities. - Public-information requests. - Community monitoring. - Coalition building. - Citizen-led planning.

Participants should use these tools constructively, lawfully, and transparently

Grant-Writing Support Grant-writing sessions will help participants convert their ideas into structured applications.

Participants may learn how to

- Describe a community problem. - Define the target group. - Write clear objectives. - Design realistic activities. - Prepare a work plan. - Develop a project budget. - Identify measurable outcomes. - Explain community participation. - Present organizational capacity. - Address risks. - Develop a sustainability plan. This support is particularly valuable for applicants with no previous grant experience. Expert and Legal Assistance

Participants will have access to experienced experts and lawyers

Support may help with:

- Refining project concepts. - Understanding local regulations. - Reviewing project applications. - Clarifying organizational status. - Developing partnership arrangements. -