Grant Competition for Community Initiatives

The grant competition is implemented within the “Strengthening the Economic Capacity of Veterans in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast” project, led by the Czech humanitarian organization People in Need in partnership with the civil society organizations Promprylad and Vilnyi Vybir, as well as the Superhumans charitable foundation, with financial support from the Czech people.

The project aims to improve the psychological well-being and economic resilience of veterans and their family members by expanding access to individually tailored mental health services and livelihood support.

The programme also promotes approaches that are trauma-informed, inclusive, and free from stigmatization, while strengthening the capacity of communities and service providers to deliver such support.

The main objective of the call is to support projects focused on psychological recovery, social inclusion, and strengthening the capacities of veterans, women veterans, and their family members to facilitate successful integration into civilian life.

The grant competition supports community initiatives aimed at psychological recovery, social integration, and strengthening the capacities of veterans, women veterans, and their family members to actively participate in community life.

Supported projects may include:

• activities that help veterans adapt to civilian life;
• initiatives focused on rebuilding social connections, finding support, and fostering a sense of belonging;
• the development of veteran communities that encourage interaction, peer exchange, and mutual support;
• group meetings, consultations (psychological, social, and career-related), and other activities addressing adaptation challenges;
• skills development initiatives that support employment, entrepreneurship, and increased economic participation;
• mentoring support and cooperation with local businesses, employers, and educational institutions.

Particular preference is given to initiatives that have clearly defined results, respond to the actual needs of veterans, and combine different forms of support to enhance participants’ engagement in community life.

Projects are also expected to consider the local context, current community challenges, and available resources, while promoting cooperation with local stakeholders, including public authorities, businesses, and other organizations.

To participate in the grant competition, please complete Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 and send them to hotline.ukr@peopleinneed.net. In the subject line, please write “Grant Application Dnipro [Name of Organization]” and attach the required documents.

Applications are assessed against a set of criteria designed to evaluate the relevance, quality, and potential impact of the proposed initiatives. The maximum score is 100 points.

Key evaluation criteria include:

• Relevance to veterans’ needs and reintegration logic — up to 25 points.
  Assessment focuses on the identification of target group needs, the use of evidence and experience, and the understanding of key barriers.
• Integrated approach and project logic — up to 20 points.
  Evaluators consider how different support measures are combined and how clearly activities are linked to expected results.
• Organizational experience, expertise, and capacity — up to 15 points.
  This includes experience working with veterans and their families, as well as the availability of qualified staff and resources.
• Alignment of the budget with proposed activities — up to 15 points.
  The budget is assessed for reasonableness, relevance to planned activities, and consistency with expected outcomes.
• Relevance to the local context and target audience — up to 15 points.
  Particular attention is given to how well the project reflects local needs and community-specific challenges.
• Impact, coordination, and cooperation at the community, regional, or cluster level — up to 10 points.
  Assessment includes sustainability and scaling potential, cooperation with local stakeholders, and the practical value of expected results for veterans.

• Appendix 1 — Project description in Word format.
• Appendix 2 — Project budget in Excel format. 

Upon completion of the project, grant recipients are required to submit a package of reporting documents confirming the implementation of planned activities and the proper use of grant funds.

The reporting package must include:

• A narrative report describing project implementation and results;
• supporting documents confirming that funds were used for their intended purpose;
• photographic evidence of completed activities and works;
• participant registration lists from conducted events.

Reporting templates, sample reporting documents, and additional guidance on the reporting process will be provided to grant recipients separately.

Within the grant competition, applicants are expected to adhere to the principles of impartiality, integrity, and objectivity throughout the preparation and submission of project proposals.

Particular attention is given to conflict-of-interest matters. The existence of a conflict of interest is not automatically considered evidence of corruption; however, it may affect the fairness and objectivity of the selection process and therefore must be identified and addressed appropriately.

Applicants are required to:

• disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest to the selection committee;
• independently assess whether such circumstances could affect the objectivity of their participation;
• take all necessary measures to prevent or mitigate conflicts of interest;
• provide additional information regarding potential conflicts of interest upon request from the selection committee;
• refrain from participating in decision-making processes where a real or potential conflict of interest exists.

If a conflict of interest is identified, the applicant must promptly notify the selection committee in writing and explain the nature of the conflict as well as the measures taken to address it.

Based on the information provided, the selection committee may decide on the applicant’s continued participation in the competition or require additional actions to mitigate conflict-of-interest risks.