Grants from Norad to Support Entrepreneurship in Ukraine

Within the grant scheme, a call for proposals has been announced for Ukraine and neighboring countries under the The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. Its purpose is to support investment-ready projects that can stimulate economic activity in Ukraine.

Key points:

• The programme aims at reducing risks prior to investment decisions.
• Funding covers activities specified in a dedicated section (4A).
• It is anticipated that approximately three projects may receive funding in 2026.

Who may apply:

• Commercial entities registered as legal companies are eligible.
• Investment firms, consulting companies, and equipment suppliers are not prioritized.

Key requirements:

• Applicants must demonstrate professional and administrative capacity to implement the project.
• Priority is given to applicants with sufficient financial capacity.
• Good contextual understanding of relevant issues is required.
• Previous results within the grant scheme are considered relevant.
• Applicants must define clear and achievable project objectives.

Governance and compliance:

• Risk management, internal control, and reporting systems must be in place.
• A Code of Conduct is required, including measures to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH).
• Compliance with international standards, including UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and OECD Guidelines, is required.

Priority is given to applicants that:

• Have significant ownership involvement (at least 25% equity in the main investment).
• Have established partnerships and provide relevant partner information.

Within the grant programme, funding conditions and cost limitations are clearly defined.

Key points:

• The total budget is up to NOK 100 million for 2026–2027 (subject to demand and approval), with around three projects expected to be funded in 2026.
• The grant may cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, while the applicant finances the remainder.
• Applicants must justify the grant need as part of the overall project.
• Applications below NOK 5 million will not be prioritized.
• The grant cannot exceed 20% of the applicant’s documented annual turnover.

What can be funded:

• Grants may be awarded to all types of projects or programmes with a clear objective relevant to the call.

What cannot be funded:

• Sales and marketing activities.
• Administrative costs beyond those directly linked to the project.
• Projects involving weapons or military materials.
• Projects involving drugs, alcohol, or tobacco.
• The main investment object of a feasibility study.
• Ukrenergo capacity booking fee.

Within the grant programme, supported activities and project types are clearly outlined along with core requirements.

General requirements for initiatives:

• The initiative must address a clearly defined need and align with the call’s objectives.
• Realistic and measurable objectives are required.
• Cross-cutting issues must be safeguarded: human rights, gender equality, climate and environment, and anti-corruption.
• Compliance with OECD/DAC criteria for ODA is required.
• The initiative must be cost-effective.
• Indirect costs are limited to 7% of direct project costs.
• Grants cover only actual documented costs (no profit included).

Supported activities:

• Feasibility studies for new or expanded projects.
• Pilot production as part of the business establishment phase.
• Guarantees and risk premiums for financing.
• Ancillary costs for essential infrastructure (in some cases up to 80% of costs).
• Vocational training of local staff, including gender-focused actions.
• Protective physical measures related to the project (not as the main purpose).

Additional note:

• Applicants must identify and manage risks throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Key milestones:

• Application opening date — April 17, 2026 at 13:00.
• Deadline for stage 1 — June 17, 2026 at 13:00 (CEST).
• Deadline for stage 2 — August 30, 2026 at 13:00 (CEST).

Additional notes:

• All applications must be submitted before the respective deadlines.
• The process includes two application stages.

Within the grant programme, a step-by-step application process is defined via the Grants Portal.

Step 1. Submission (Stage 1 — Concept Note):

• Applications must be submitted through the Grants Portal before the deadline.
• All forms and documents must be completed and uploaded in English (or translated).
• A concept note (PDF) must include:

• • description of activities and relevance (1 page);

  • link to the business case and implementation capacity (1 page);

  • budget (template required) and minimum 50% co-financing;

  • expected results and scalability;

  • information on partners.

Step 2. Full application (Stage 2):

• Applicants who pass Stage 1 are invited to submit a full application.
• Detailed documentation is required for assessment and verification.
• Partner information must be verifiable.

Additional requirements:

• For guarantees and risk premiums, financial documentation (commitment letters, financial model) is required.
• All submitted information must be credible and evidence-based, otherwise the application will be rejected.

After submission:

• Applications are assessed according to defined criteria.
• Results are expected around July.
• Adjustments to the project may be requested before final approval.
• Successful applicants will sign a grant agreement.

Important:

• Late or incomplete applications will be rejected.
• Funding is disbursed in instalments, and project duration is up to 2 years.

Within the grant programme, applications are assessed based on defined criteria; a scoring system is not explicitly specified, but key evaluation areas are outlined.

Main criteria:

1. Business case, financials, and additionality:

• Financial strength of the applicant to implement the project.
• Project scalability and expected investment volume.
• Additionality of the grant (added value in enabling the project).
• “Catalytic” effect in triggering further investments.
• Financial sustainability of the project.
• Cost-effectiveness supported by a detailed budget.

2. Development results and relevance:

• Contribution to programme objectives.
• For energy projects — increased production capacity and access to energy.
• Number of trained personnel (including gender-disaggregated data).
• Alignment with national and Norwegian priorities.
• Clearly defined and measurable targets and indicators.

3. Risk management and ethics:

• Existence of risk management systems.
• Due diligence of partners.
• Identification and management of risks related to human rights, gender equality, environment, and anti-corruption.

4. Transparency and partnerships:

• Evidence of management anchoring and partner involvement.
• Verifiable information on partners and ownership.
• Disclosure of all public funding received.

General requirements:

• All forms must be fully completed, and documents uploaded.
• Documents must be submitted in English (or translated).
• Incomplete or late applications will be rejected.

Checklist (Stage 1 — Concept Note):

• Concept note (PDF), including:

  • description of activities and relevance;

  • business case and implementation capacity;

  • expected results and scalability;

  • partner information.

• Budget using Norad’s template (may be in local currency but must reflect NOK amounts).
• Proof of minimum 50% co-financing.

Checklist (Stage 2 — Full Application):

• Full application submitted via the Grants Portal.
• Detailed supporting documentation for all claims from Stage 1.
• Verifiable partner documentation.

Additional documents (if applicable):

• Financial documents for guarantees and risk premiums:

  • commitment letter or term sheet from a lender/guarantor;

  • project financial model.

Important:

• The applicant is responsible for keeping portal information up to date.
• All claims must be supported by credible documentation.

For questions, please consult the  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs ). 

Key requirements:

• The applicant must have robust risk management, internal control, and reporting routines to prevent and detect financial irregularities.
• Grant disbursements are made in instalments: up to 50% upfront, with the remainder paid upon submission of reports.
• Regular reporting is required to ensure continued funding.

Reporting content:

• Projects must include clearly defined, realistic, and measurable targets.
• Baselines and indicators must be established to measure results.
• Reporting may include disaggregated data, including gender-based indicators where relevant.

Additional notes:

• The agreement includes follow-up and control measures and requires beneficiaries to document and report results.

Compliance with Norwegian MFA policies and requirements.