Grants to Strengthen the Resilience of Frontline Communities

The “Group Cash Transfers for Strengthening the Resilience of Frontline Communities” program is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross with the support of the U.S. Government within the framework of the project “Assistance for National Crisis Response, Humanitarian Operations and Resilience Enhancement (ANCHOR-UA)”.

Group cash transfers are defined as a targeted humanitarian financing instrument that provides grant funding to local self-government bodies or other authorized community structures for the implementation of priority emergency response measures.

The program is aimed at:

• supporting frontline communities affected by military actions;
• implementing humanitarian assistance and early recovery activities;
• strengthening community resilience in crisis conditions.

The transfer mechanism will be used by the Ukrainian Red Cross as a pilot humanitarian assistance and early recovery initiative for frontline communities. The program is funded with the support of the U.S. Government.

The program provides group cash transfers (grants) aimed at supporting frontline communities. A total of 15 grants are planned for three regions, although the number may increase depending on the grant amounts.

Key funding conditions include:

• The maximum amount of one grant is UAH 2,000,000, including indirect costs and taxes.
• The minimum recommended grant amount is UAH 500,000, although lower amounts may be considered individually upon prior approval by the Ukrainian Red Cross.
• The final grant amount is determined according to the budget submitted with the project application.

Grant funding is transferred:

• in two equal installments of 50% each;
• or as a single 100% payment if phased project implementation is not possible.

Administrative expenses:

• may not exceed 7% of the total grant amount;
• may include office supplies, fuel, telephone communication, banking fees, and postal expenses.

The program also specifies that:

• atypical budget items must be separately approved by the Ukrainian Red Cross;
• funds are transferred to a dedicated bank account opened for project implementation or to a special local budget account;
• grant funds are subject to financial control and audit by the Ukrainian Red Cross.

The grant program supports projects aimed at strengthening the resilience of frontline communities and addressing humanitarian challenges.

Priority areas include:

• critical infrastructure and basic services;
• housing conditions and collective accommodation for IDPs and evacuated persons;
• preparedness for seasonal and emergency risks;
• other community priorities agreed with the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Eligible activities may include:

• emergency repair or support of water supply, heating, and electricity systems;
• restoration of lightly or moderately damaged social infrastructure;
• support for medical institutions, educational facilities, and other communal infrastructure;
• arrangement or improvement of collective centers, safe spaces, and consultation points;
• establishment or improvement of transit and coordination centers for evacuated persons.

The program also places emphasis on:

• ensuring backup power supply for critical facilities through generators, solar systems, batteries, and related equipment;
• organizing heating and resilience points;
• arranging shelters, including mobile shelters;
• supporting autonomous heating systems.

Activities that are not eligible for funding include:

• political or religious activities;
• commercial activities;
• long-term capital construction and infrastructure investments;
• payment of salaries to employees of local self-government bodies or communal institutions;
• procurement of military or dual-use goods;
• activities already financed through other funding sources.

The grant program provides a clearly defined project implementation schedule and funding conditions. The grant has a targeted purpose and may only be used for activities approved within the grant agreement with the Ukrainian Red Cross.

Key implementation conditions:

• project implementation is limited in time — until 30 November 2026;
• grantees are required to submit monthly financial and programmatic reports;
• procurement must be carried out in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, including the Law of Ukraine “On Public Procurement” and Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1178 dated 12 October 2022.

Stages of the конкурс selection process:

• Application submission: 12 May – 14 June 2026;
• Application evaluation: 15 June – 28 June 2026;
• Announcement of results: 29 June – 03 July 2026;
• Agreement signing: 06 July – 12 July 2026;
• Project implementation: 13 July – 30 November 2026.

To participate in the grant program, applicants are required to complete several key preparation and submission stages.

Main steps include:

1. Reviewing the detailed conditions of the grant program.
2. Conducting a community needs assessment using the provided methodological recommendations.
3. Preparing:
   • a phased project implementation plan;
   • a budget;
   • a fund utilization plan;
   • an analytical community needs assessment report.

Separate templates are provided for:

• the implementation plan;
• the budget;
• the fund utilization plan;
• the needs assessment report.

At the final stage, the applicant must complete the grant application and attach the required package of documents.

Separate templates are provided for:

• the implementation plan;
• the budget;
• the fund utilization plan;
• the needs assessment report.

All documents must be submitted together with the application as part of the competitive selection process.

The program includes regular monitoring of project implementation and mandatory reporting by grantees. The reporting format depends on the specifics of the project proposal.

Key requirements include:

• reports must be submitted after the implementation of the first 50% of grant funds and after completion of all project activities, or on a monthly basis;
• the grantee must provide a full package of supporting documents confirming the use of funds and project implementation.

The supporting documentation may include:

• publications on public procurement websites;
• tender documentation;
• justification for supplier selection;
• supplier contracts;
• certificates of completed works;
• invoices and payment orders;
• photo and video evidence of results;
• bank statements and account opening agreements.

The program also foresees:

• a mechanism for submitting complaints by the grantee or grant provider;
• final evaluation of the effectiveness of the program and individual projects;
• surveys and focus group discussions with community representatives;
• external audits of projects after implementation is completed.