Briefly
Program description
The call is implemented within the project “Support to Conflict Veterans’ Reintegration in Eastern Ukraine and Their Families” implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with funding from the European Union.
The program aims to support civil society organizations assisting veterans with employment, professional development, retraining, entrepreneurship, and economic reintegration.
Priority will be given to projects with sustainable impact and outreach to veterans in communities across Ukraine.
Main Information
Eligibility
Within the framework of the grant program, civil society organizations operating in Ukraine and implementing initiatives for veterans and their family members are eligible to apply.
The program’s geographic coverage includes all territories of Ukraine except areas not controlled by the Government, with particular attention to small cities and communities.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- official registration as a legal entity under Ukrainian legislation;
- non-profit organization status;
- active operations within Ukraine;
- demonstrated experience working with veterans, confirmed by at least one successfully implemented and reported project;
- operational capacity to implement the proposed project.
Priority will be given to organizations that:
- demonstrate strong understanding of the local context;
- have an established presence in the target community;
- maintain partnerships with government bodies, local authorities, or relevant institutions.
Eligible applicants include:
- non-governmental organizations;
- charitable organizations;
- charitable foundations;
- veteran-led organizations or organizations supporting veterans.
Applications may be submitted in Ukrainian or English.
The organizers also specify that project activities must be implemented only in territories controlled by the Government of Ukraine, and applicants cannot be political organizations or entities engaged in political lobbying.
Financing
Within the framework of the grant program, IREX plans to award up to 10 grants with an estimated budget of up to USD 70,000 each, subject to the availability of funds.
The expected implementation period is 12 months, starting in August 2026.
The organizers note that:
- each organization may submit only one application;
- IREX will play an active role throughout all stages of grant implementation;
- expenses incurred during application preparation are not reimbursable.
IREX also reserves the right to:
- adjust the number and size of grants;
- modify implementation timelines;
- decline to award grants under the competition.
Grant funds may not be used for:
- repayment of debts, fines, or penalties;
- gambling activities;
- international travel and business trips;
- alcohol purchases;
- political or religious activities;
- loans;
- humanitarian aid or disposable goods;
- purchase of land or buildings;
- activities outside Ukraine;
- commercial or venture projects.
Expenses that do not comply with grant regulations and allowable cost principles are also prohibited.
Supported Activities
Within the framework of the grant program, supported projects will focus on professional adaptation, employment, and social integration of veterans.
Supported activities include:
- individual and group career counseling, including skills assessment, resume preparation, and interview preparation;
- provision of psychosocial support and confidence-building activities;
- organization of job fairs;
- short-term retraining programs tailored to local labor market needs;
- strengthening the capacity of vocational education institutions to train veterans, including veterans with disabilities;
- training initiatives for employers on supporting veterans’ mental health and creating inclusive workplaces;
- development of local partnerships among businesses, government authorities, educational institutions, and veteran communities.
The organizers encourage applicants to propose additional activities aligned with the goals of the competition and adapted to local labor market conditions.
Projects are expected to focus on practical employment outcomes, long-term employability, and scalable or adaptable community-based models.
Roadmap
Within the framework of the grant program, the main stages for application submission and project implementation have been announced.
- Announcement date — May 14, 2026.
- Proposal submission deadline — May 28, 2026.
- Expected implementation period: August 2026 – July 2027.
The organizers encourage applicants to follow the established deadlines and plan project implementation according to the specified timeline.
How to Apply
Within the framework of the grant program, the application process is conducted in two stages: submission of concept notes and submission of full applications.
Step-by-step application process
- Prepare a concept note
The concept note must not exceed 3 pages and should include:- description of the project idea;
- regional context and target audience;
- brief description of the required funding;
- organizational capacity information;
- examples of previously implemented projects;
- list of other projects implemented during the past 4 years.
- Attach supporting materials
These may include:- letters of support;
- memorandums of understanding;
- partnership agreements.
- Submit the application by email
Concept notes must be sent to: tender-ua@irex.org
Email subject line: FY26-UVRR-Small Grants Pool to Local Veteran-Serving NGOs. - Follow the submission deadline
The submission deadline is May 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM Kyiv time. - Await preliminary selection results
Selected organizations will be invited to participate in capacity-building trainings and further proposal development. - Submit the full application
After completing the training phase, participants will finalize their concepts and submit full project proposals for competitive review.
The organizers also note that applicants should not prepare full applications unless they receive official notification of passing the preliminary selection stage.
Evaluation Criteria
Within the framework of the grant program, applications will be evaluated through a scoring system for both concept notes and full project proposals.
Concept Note Evaluation Criteria
The maximum score is 50 points.
Applications will be assessed based on:
- relevance of the project idea to the objectives of the RFA;
- regional focus and understanding of the local business and social context;
- capacity to reach target audiences and communicate effectively;
- organizational experience in implementing donor-funded projects;
- quantitative and qualitative results of previous initiatives;
- cost effectiveness.
Full Project Proposal Evaluation Criteria
Full applications will also be evaluated on a 50-point scale.
Score distribution:
- technical dimension — 25 points;
- scope of work — 15 points;
- realism and economic efficiency — 10 points.
The evaluation process will consider:
- sustainability of project results;
- realism of the implementation plan;
- practicality of proposed approaches;
- potential impact on veterans;
- justification of budget expenditures.
The organizers also note that recommendation or preliminary selection does not guarantee final grant approval.
Required Documents
Within the framework of the grant program, applicants are required to prepare a complete application package.
Checklist of required documents
- Project proposal in the IREX template, including:
- organizational information;
- program description;
- beneficiaries, results, and expected impact;
- exit and sustainability strategy;
- work plan;
- communication plan;
- monitoring plan.
- CVs or short biographies of key project staff members.
- Project budget using the template provided by IREX.
- Organization registration documents:
- certificate of state registration;
- proof of non-profit status;
- charter/statute of the NGO or charitable organization (scanned copies).
- Additional supporting documents (optional):
- letters of support;
- memorandums of understanding;
- partnership agreements.
The organizers recommend that applicants keep copies of all submitted documents for their records.
Finalists will also undergo a due diligence review before the final funding decision is made.
FAQ
We announce the start of a new contest on the official Facebook page of the Veterans Reintegration Program, in the news section of our website, and by sending emails to organizations. If you would like to receive email notifications about the competition, please write to us at contact.vrp@irex.org and include “Add to mailing list” in the subject line.
If you have completed and submitted your application correctly, you will receive an automatically generated email confirming receipt of your application.
Updates / Announcements
Within the framework of the grant program, a two-stage application process has been announced.
The process includes:
- Stage I — submission of concept notes;
- Stage II — submission of full applications.
Following the evaluation of concept notes, IREX will provide selected civil society organizations with training aimed at strengthening their capacity in:
- developing exit strategies;
- ensuring project sustainability;
- improving project concepts;
- integrating initiatives into local systems and financing mechanisms.
Participants who complete the training will be invited to submit full applications for potential IREX funding through a competitive selection process.
The organizers note that this approach is designed to support high-quality project selection and strengthen the organizational capacity of participating organizations.
Reporting and Compliance
Within the framework of the grant program, reporting requirements will be detailed in the grant agreement, and reporting templates will be provided separately to grant recipients.
The reporting framework includes:
- periodic program reports submitted according to the schedule specified in the grant agreement, covering completed activities, identified challenges, solutions, and planned activities for the next period;
- final program reports describing the achievement of project goals and objectives, key results, lessons learned, as well as challenges and solutions during implementation;
- financial reports submitted in accordance with the grant agreement, with reporting frequency and format depending on the grant type, project duration, and funding amount.
A detailed final financial report is a mandatory requirement.
The organizers also note that the disbursement of the final grant tranche will depend on the receipt and approval of the final programmatic and financial reports.
Legal Terms
Within the framework of the grant program, procedures for award notification and key legal conditions have been established.
Successful applicants will receive a Grant Award Letter signed by IREX, requesting submission of a completed Due Diligence Questionnaire along with supporting documentation.
After the funding offer letter is issued, final negotiations with shortlisted applicants will take place prior to signing the grant agreement.
Applicants who are not selected will receive written notification of the outcome. The organizers also note that:
- detailed feedback on applications may not be provided;
- explanations of selection decisions are not guaranteed.
The program’s legal and administrative requirements are based on:
- Standard Terms and Conditions of the U.S. Department of State;
- 2 CFR 200 regulations;
- 2 CFR 600 regulations.
The organizers emphasize compliance with all applicable administrative and financial requirements during grant implementation.