Grant for the Creation of Career Guidance Hubs

The competition is being held as part of the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE project. The goal is to establish career guidance hubs in local communities participating in the national pilot program for a career guidance system for children and adolescents. The project plans to support up to 50 communities in setting up spaces where students can learn about different professions, explore vocational education opportunities, and chart their own educational and career paths. The program aims to strengthen cooperation between educational institutions, communities, and employers.

The grant programme is open to territorial communities that meet the established participation requirements.

Key eligibility conditions include:

• participation in the national pilot programme on career guidance for children and youth within the DECIDE Project;
• signing a cooperation memorandum with the DECIDE Project;
• completion of all activities outlined in the first-year implementation roadmap;
• participation in training on the development of a career guidance hub and conducting a strategic planning session involving businesses and employers;
• designation of an educational institution or facility to host the hub;
• provision of co-financing of at least 30% of the total project budget.

Territorial communities located in regions that are partially temporarily occupied or affected by active hostilities, according to the applicable official list, are not eligible to participate in the selection process.

Within the grant programme, selected communities may receive grant funding of up to UAH 400,000 to establish a career guidance hub within an educational institution or organization.

In addition to financial support, participants will receive:

• expert assistance during project preparation and implementation;
• methodological support for the development of the career guidance hub.

A mandatory requirement of the programme is co-financing by the territorial community of at least 30% of the total project budget.

Key programme milestones include:

• 15 June 2026 — official launch of the grant competition.
• Until 30 June 2026 (inclusive) — application submission period.
• Following the application deadline, project proposals will undergo the selection process in accordance with the programme requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications within the established timeframe to participate in the competition.

Territorial communities wishing to participate in the grant competition must submit an application through the designated application form.

Main steps:

1. Complete the project proposal form for the establishment of a career guidance hub.
2. Prepare a project budget indicating the grant contribution, community co-financing, and partner contributions.
3. Attach a motivation letter signed by the head of the territorial community.
4. Submit the complete application package through the application form provided via the designated link.

Applicants may be territorial communities participating in the national pilot initiative, represented by their local self-government authorities.

During the selection process, proposals will be assessed based on how well the career guidance hub concept aligns with the programme objectives and local community needs.

Key evaluation considerations include:

• creation of a modern multifunctional space for students in grades 8–11(12);
• opportunities for career exploration, practical skills development, and educational and professional pathway planning;
• inclusion of a training area with VR equipment, a STEM zone, and additional career guidance spaces;
• alignment of the hub concept with the community’s economic profile and local labour market needs.

Additional preference will be given to communities that have engaged local businesses and employers in the hub development process and can demonstrate formal partnership arrangements, such as memoranda of cooperation or letters of support.

To participate in the grant competition, a territorial community must submit the following documents:

• Completed project proposal form for establishing a career guidance hub.
• Project budget indicating the grant contribution, community co-financing, and partner contributions.
• Motivation letter signed by the head of the territorial community (free format).

To prepare their applications, communities can use the training materials developed as part of the DECIDE Project (the materials are available at this link).

The local community must meet the competition requirements and be a participant in the national pilot program for the career guidance system for children and adolescents.