Grant competition for CSOs to improve response and strengthen mechanisms for prevention of gender-based violence (GBV)

CIVIC established the Local Initiatives Fund to support local solutions addressing civilian protection needs. The aim is to support local civil society organizations in addressing urgent protection needs based on community priorities in cooperation with local authorities and institutions.

Priorities include strengthening physical protection and ensuring access to reliable safety-related information. Projects should focus on establishing or strengthening GBV prevention and response mechanisms, including coordination of services, crisis rooms, and access to support.

Special attention is given to vulnerable groups. CIVIC will support up to 18 projects.

Key eligibility criteria:

• The organization must be a registered NGO in Ukraine with non-profit status.
• Proven experience in implementing similar projects (civilian protection, humanitarian aid, countering disinformation, etc.).
• Demonstrated gender sensitivity and integration of gender approaches into activities.

Institutional capacity:

• Understanding of community needs and engagement with local authorities (including letters of support).
• Availability of resources and capacity for effective project management.
• Existence of financial systems with accounting, procurement, and reporting procedures.

Team requirements:

• Key staff must be proficient in Ukrainian.
• English proficiency is considered an advantage.

Additional conditions:

• The organization agrees to present its work and allow CIVIC to use and promote project results.
• No conflict of interest that could affect project implementation.

The grant program defines specific rules for funding and cost allocation.

Key funding provisions:

• CIVIC may fund projects based solely on submitted applications without additional negotiations, so each application must include complete information and a detailed budget.
• The organization reserves the right to request clarifications or additional details.

Financial parameters:

• Up to 18 projects will be supported.
• Maximum funding per project — up to €12,000.
• Expected project duration — up to 6 months.
• No more than two applications may be submitted per organization.

Co-financing and assets:

• Co-financing is not required.
• Projects involving asset procurement must be implemented in cooperation with local authorities.
• Purchased assets must be transferred to local government ownership.

Funding priorities:

• Preference is given to projects implementing local solutions for civilian protection, particularly in response to gender-based violence.

Within the CIVIC grant program, supported activities focus on preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening civilian protection systems.

Key supported activities:

• Establishment or renovation of crisis rooms and safe spaces (repairs, furniture, equipment).
• Support for mobile psychological teams (equipment, communication tools, informational materials).
• Provision of comprehensive assistance to survivors: psychological, legal, social support, and referrals to specialized services.

Educational and training activities:

• Trainings for educators on identifying violence cases and ensuring safe response mechanisms.
• Capacity-building for social service professionals and local authorities on interagency coordination.
• Educational initiatives for youth on gender equality and safe communication.

Community-level actions:

• Implementation of awareness-raising campaigns on GBV risks and available services.
• Support groups for survivors, including psychosocial stabilization and recovery elements.
• Development and implementation of local response mechanisms to GBV in cooperation with police, healthcare, and social services.

Program focus:

• Supporting solutions that strengthen civilian protection systems.
• Ensuring access to reliable safety-related information.
• Priority is given to vulnerable populations (women, children, elderly, persons with disabilities, IDPs).

• March 1–31, 2026: applications (wave 1);
• May 1–31, 2026: applications (wave 2).

• Go to https://lifcivic.com/apply;
• fill in application form;
• complete budget template;
• upload budget (ZIP/RAR);
• attach supporting documents.

The evaluation of applications within the grant program includes a preliminary review and multi-criteria assessment.

Preliminary stage:

• A due diligence assessment of organizational capacity is conducted (mission, experience, financial systems, staff, safety).

Evaluation criteria:

• Experience in implementing similar projects — 30% (civilian protection, humanitarian aid, awareness-raising, etc.).
• Technical approach — 30%.
• Budget and implementation stages — 20%.
• Capacity to deliver the project within the timeline — 20%.

Selection process:

• Eligible applications are reviewed by a grant committee.
• The committee may provide recommendations or set additional conditions.

Announcement of results:

• First wave — by May 1, 2026.
• Second wave — by July 1, 2026.

• Аpplication form;
• budget file;
• additional documents (statute, registry extract, etc.).

The call for applications under this grant competition will be conducted in two waves:

• March 1 – March 31, 2026 — applications for projects in Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions.
• May 1 – May 31, 2026 — applications for projects in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions.

Approximately 9 projects will be supported in each wave.