Lesia Kharchenko Activist Initiatives Contest

The "Lesia Kharchenko Activist Initiatives Contest" is a program implemented by the non-governmental organization Amnesty International Ukraine. The main goal of the Contest is to promote human rights activities among youth in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast by providing financial and non-financial support.

The program includes the selection of participants, determination of winners, and distribution of the prize fund by the finalists themselves during a special workshop, as well as the provision of mentorship support from the organization's team during the direct implementation of projects. The final stage of the initiative will be the monitoring and final presentation of the results of the supported human rights initiatives.

• The Participant can exclusively be a physical person who holds Ukrainian citizenship and actually resides on the territory of Ukraine.
• The Participant's age at the time of application submission must be between 18 and 25 years old.
• The Contest is held for individuals whose activist activities are focused within the target territory: the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.
• Not eligible to participate:
  • individuals who do not meet the age or geographical criteria;
  • individuals who provided incomplete or false data;
  • employees of the Organizer and any persons involved in the preparation of the Contest, as well as their close relatives.
• A person who does not appear for personal participation in Stage 4 (workshop in Kyiv) cannot become a Contest Winner. The maximum number of selected Finalists is 15 people.

• The total prize fund of the Contest is 800,000 UAH.
• The share of funding (Prize) allocated to support the activities of a specific Winner is determined based on the decision of the Contest Finalists themselves during a joint workshop. (In the absence of such a decision, the Organizer may determine the amounts at its own discretion).
• In addition to financial assistance, the Prize includes mentorship support — conducting regular consultations and meetings with representatives of the Amnesty International Ukraine team regarding activist activities.
• Ineligible expenses (The Prize strictly cannot be used for):
  • conducting activities that contradict current Ukrainian legislation;
  • charitable donations to individuals and legal entities, including in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, political parties, or religious organizations;
  • purchase of tobacco and alcohol products, weapons;
  • covering expenses already financed from other sources;
  • participation in lotteries and gambling;
  • covering past expenses and debts;
  • crediting third parties;
  • payment for the activities of Ukrainian government officials.

• The Contest supports human rights activist activities among youth.
• The thematic priorities of the Contest include:
  • gender equality;
  • LGBTI community rights;
  • rights of people with disabilities;
  • rights of neurodivergent people;
  • rights of indigenous peoples and national communities;
  • ecology, including animal rights.
• The Organizer reserves the right to admit initiatives that do not fall under these Priorities but are complementary to the overall activities of NGO Amnesty International Ukraine.

• Stage 1 (September 16, 2026 – October 7, 2026): Submission of applications by filling out online forms.
• Stage 2 (October 8, 2026 – October 22, 2026): Processing of applications by the Organizer and selection of Contest Finalists by the working group.
• Stage 3 (October 23, 2026): Announcement of Finalists by publishing the list on the website and sending emails.
• Stage 4 (October 31, 2026 – November 1, 2026): Contest final in the format of a two-day workshop in Kyiv, during which the Winners are determined. (The Organizer reimburses Finalists for travel expenses to Kyiv).
• Stage 5 (November 2, 2026 – November 16, 2026): Signing of agreements between the Organizer and the Winners, as well as the commencement of mentorship support and consultations.
• Stage 6 (November 17, 2026 – June 30, 2027): Implementation of initiatives and monitoring of the Winners' activity results.

• Applications are submitted exclusively in electronic form by filling out an online application on the official website https://konkurs.amnesty.org.ua/ during Stage 1 of the Contest.
• Each Participant has the right to fill out and submit only 1 (one) application.
• In the application, it is necessary to provide a detailed description of one's needs for the implementation of activist activities in the field of human rights.
• Along with the application form, a recommendation from an appropriate institution must be attached.

• Selection of Finalists (up to 15 people): Conducted by the Organizer's working group (staff/freelance employees and external experts) based on checking applications for completeness, authenticity, and compliance with the rules.
• Selection criteria for Finalists:
  • alignment of the Participant's planned and/or current activities with the Contest priorities;
  • potential impact of the planned activities;
  • previous experience and future potential of the Participant;
  • clarity and logical connection between the requested support and the activities it will enable;
  • ability to satisfy the needs stated in the application within the scope of the Contest.
• Selection of Winners and distribution of the Prize fund: Conducted directly by the Contest Finalists according to a procedure agreed upon by them during the workshop (Stage 4).
• The Organizer will mandatorily check Participants and working group members for conflicts of interest.

• Properly completed online application form.
• Recommendation (letter of recommendation) from a non-governmental organization or higher education institution.

September 23 - Webinar for all interested parties. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fICmX5mqRpKdOcivKcyrNw#/registration

• Winners are obliged to report fully and on time regarding the used financial support in accordance with the terms of the individual Agreement.
• Participants must notify the Organizer in writing of any significant changes that may affect or have already affected the implementation of the supported activities.
• Activities must be implemented in strict compliance with the Policies of the Organizer (NGO Amnesty International Ukraine).
• In case of refusal to implement the planned activities, the Participant is obliged to fully return the amount of financial support to the Organizer.
• The Organizer reserves the right to demand the return of funds in case of misuse or gross violation of the Agreement terms, as well as to suspend funding or exclude a person from future contests due to the discovery of false information or dishonest behavior.

• Agreement with the rules (adhesion contract): In accordance with Article 634 of the Civil Code of Ukraine regarding adhesion contracts, the act of submitting the Application means that the Participant is familiar with and fully agrees to the terms of the Rules and undertakes to fulfill them.
• Consent to personal data processing: By submitting the Application, the Participant consents to the free use of information about themselves (full name, social media data, phone number, etc.), its placement in databases, lifetime storage, accumulation, and updating exclusively for the purpose of holding the Contest. The Organizer has the right to use this data for public information and media communications.
• Data protection: The Organizer undertakes to ensure the protection of personal data from unauthorized access by third parties and not to transfer them, except to affiliated persons, commercial partners, or upon a mandatory request from a state body.
• Participant's liability: The Participant independently bears responsibility for observing the rights of third parties when providing any information in the Application. Providing false data releases the Organizer from the obligation to award the Prize.
• Rights and decisions of the Organizer:
  • The Organizer has the right to unilaterally change the Rules or the Contest Prize by publishing the changes on the website.
  • All decisions of the Organizer (in particular regarding the results of the Contest or controversial issues) are final, binding for all, and not subject to appeal.
  • The Organizer has the right to refuse participation to any person without explaining (arguing) its decision, and claims regarding non-admission are not accepted.
• Limitation of Organizer's liability: The Organizer is not responsible for the life and health of Finalists during Contest events (including during transfer), as well as for technical failures, provider operations, and lost emails.
• Legal formalization of the Prize: The Winner obtains the right to the Prize only after signing an official Agreement with the Organizer and providing all documents required under Ukrainian legislation. If the Winner fails to provide the necessary information within 10 calendar days, they lose the right to the Prize.
• Taxation: Taxation of the prize (grant) is carried out by the Organizer in accordance with current Ukrainian legislation.
• Cancellation or suspension of the Contest: In the event of force majeure circumstances (viruses, technical malfunctions, unauthorized interference), the Organizer may, at its own discretion, cancel, terminate, or temporarily suspend the Contest.