Improving Protection of Civilian Population

Grant competition for CSOs to improve protection of civilian population during winter period in communities of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv oblasts.

The Local Initiatives Fund by CIVIC supports local civil society organizations to address urgent civilian protection needs in communities of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv oblasts.

Only one project is supported with a total value of up to 31,000 USD and an expected duration of up to 3 months. Priorities include strengthening physical protection and ensuring access to reliable safety-related information.

Projects should include crisis procurements for communities, such as generators, heaters, and other equipment to ensure functionality during limited electricity supply, as well as equipping bomb shelters, resilience centers, and supporting vulnerable groups.

It is important that the grant application includes equipment procurements for all communities listed below in approximately equal amounts:

• Olyshivska hromada of Chernihiv oblast.
• Oleksiivska hromada of Kharkiv oblast.
• Nedryhailivska hromada of Sumy oblast.
• Hostomelska hromada of Kyiv oblast.

• Only non-governmental non-profit organizations officially registered in Ukraine with non-profit status may participate; 
• organizations must have experience in projects related to protection of civilian population, humanitarian aid, capacity building, or community awareness raising; 
• a deep understanding of community needs and ongoing dialogue with local self-government bodies, confirmed by letters of support, is required; 
• applicants must have resources and project management capacity, a financial system for tracking expenses and compliance with procurement procedures and sanctions; 
• key personnel must be fluent in Ukrainian, knowledge of English is an advantage; 
• the organization must allow CIVIC to present and promote the project; 
• the organization's activities must not create a conflict of interest.

• Procurement and supply of equipment for communities (generators, heaters, alert systems, etc.) for the winter period; 
• equipping bomb shelters and resilience centers; 
• supporting the most vulnerable groups (children, elderly people, persons with disabilities and/or limited mobility); 
• ensuring access to reliable safety information; 
• creating or strengthening systems and tools for protecting local population and building the capacity of population and local/military actors to protect civilians.

1. Download and fill out the Budget Form. 
2. Fill out the application form online. 
3. Attach the budget form file to item 15 of the application form.

CIVIC evaluates applications based on the following criteria: 

• demonstrated experience in implementing similar projects in civilian protection or related fields (30%); 
• technical approach (30%); budget and implementation stages (20%); 
• capacity to implement the project within the expected timeframe (20%). 

Before selection, a review of organizational capacity and past activities is conducted (mission, administrative capacity, staff qualifications, community standing, financial system effectiveness, and personnel safety).

• downloaded and completed budget template (ZIP/RAR format); 
• completed application form; 
• additional documents, such as organization charter, extract from the Unified State Register, protocol on appointment of director, etc. (uploaded in ZIP/RAR format)

• Own contribution is not required; 
• projects involving procurement of assets (equipment for bomb shelters or alert systems) must be carried out in close cooperation with local authorities, which must provide letters of support and officially accept the purchased goods on their balance sheet; 
• CIVIC reserves the right to request additional information or propose clarifications in applications; 
• organizations agree to allow CIVIC to promote the project and present it to their partners and donors.