Microgrant Program of the "No Child Forgotten" Project

The microgrant program is part of the project "No Child Forgotten: Improving Child-Sensitive Justice and Responses to the Deportation of Children from Ukraine," implemented by Global Rights Compliance (GRC) with financial support from the European Union. The main goal of the initiative is to improve justice processes and responses to the deportation of Ukrainian children by enhancing the capacity of civil society organizations in documenting, investigating, and holding perpetrators accountable for international crimes. The program is designed to combine GRC's legal and analytical expertise with the experience of Ukrainian CSOs, providing them not only with funding but also with ongoing mentorship, technical support, and consultations on international law.

The call for proposals is conducted across two priority areas. The first lot aims to expand the recording of crimes accompanying the deportation or forcible transfer of children, where CSOs, together with GRC, will prepare analytical materials for submission to international and national accountability mechanisms. The second lot focuses on advocacy and campaigning to raise public awareness about the scale of harm suffered by children, as well as to promote their safe participation in defending their rights and to support child-centered justice.

Requirements for Applicants:

• The applicant must be a Ukrainian non-profit civil society organization (CSO), registered and operating in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine.
• The organization must have at least 3 years of relevant organizational experience (experience may include work in child protection, reintegration, documentation, evidence gathering, provision of legal aid, and advocacy).
• Possession of an organizational bank account to which funds can be transferred in Euros or grant funds can be received in another manner approved by GRC.
• Joint applications by two Ukrainian CSOs are permitted, provided that both organizations independently meet the requirements and one is designated as the Lead Applicant.

Requirements for Organizational Capabilities:

• Proper financial management, accounting, and internal control mechanisms.
• Procurement mechanisms capable of ensuring transparency, proportionality, equal treatment, avoidance of conflict of interest, optimal cost-effectiveness, and proper documentation.
• Appropriate policies and procedures regarding child safety and safeguarding.
• Appropriate measures to ensure confidentiality and personal data protection.
• The ability to maintain proper programmatic and financial reporting.
• The ability to successfully pass GRC's due-diligence procedure prior to signing the agreement.
• Ensuring compliance with EU restrictive measures (sanctions) regarding individuals and entities.

Who is NOT eligible to apply:

• For-profit organizations.
• Political parties.
• International organizations registered in Ukraine.
• Government bodies.

The total available budget for the call is 45,000 EUR, which is expected to be distributed among 2-3 grants. There is no fixed amount reserved for either lot, but the maximum financial support for any individual initiative is 35,000 EUR. The call is divided into two lots:

• Lot 1 (Documentation): grant amount is up to 30,000 – 35,000 EUR.

• Lot 2 (Advocacy and Campaigning): grant amount is up to 15,000 EUR.

The grant can cover up to 100% of eligible costs. Co-financing is allowed but not mandatory (if included, it must be clearly indicated in the proposed budget).

Eligible (acceptable) costs:

• Personnel costs.
• Travel (including vehicle rental, if necessary for the initiative's implementation).
• Purchase of small equipment (e.g., laptops or scanners) up to 5% of the grant amount.
• Materials, office management, and rent costs.
• Consulting and event organization.
• Psychological support.
• IT service subscriptions and bank fees.

Ineligible (unacceptable) costs:

• Debts, interest, fines and penalties, provisions for losses or potential liabilities.
• Costs claimed or funded under another initiative (double funding).
• Purchase or lease of land, construction-related costs, purchase of vehicles.
• Weapons, political campaigns, proselytism.
• Cash assistance, scholarships, medical treatment, credits or loans to third parties.
• General institutional costs not related to the project, and indirect costs.
• Alcohol, luxury goods.
• Exchange rate losses.
• Taxes (including VAT, if such taxes are recoverable under applicable law).

Lot 1: Documentation of deportation-related crimes against children and those affecting children in Ukraine

• Identification, establishing contact, and safe engagement with victims, families, and witnesses of deportation-related crimes against children.
• Documenting incidents using a trauma-informed, child-sensitive methodology that accounts for traumatic experiences and is evidence-based, in accordance with GRC documentation standards and relevant international protocols, including, where necessary, the Murad Code and the Berkeley Protocol.
• Safe storage and management of collected information, including appropriate chain-of-custody control procedures.
• Transferring documented cases to GRC's case-building and analysis processes.
• Contribution of documented materials, analysis, and/or testimonies to a joint analytical product, subject to obtaining informed consent and ensuring appropriate protection measures.
• Participation in the joint analysis, development, review, and dissemination of the joint analytical material.

Lot 2: Advocacy and campaigning to ensure justice for child victims of international crimes in Ukraine

• Development and implementation of awareness-raising and educational campaigns dedicated to the issues of deportation and other serious violations of children's rights and those affecting children.
• Development of advocacy materials, communication products, or public engagement activities that highlight the experiences and rights of children.
• Community-level educational engagement activities aimed at raising awareness about the principles of child-friendly justice, as well as available protection mechanisms and access to justice.
• Development of materials for children and youth explaining justice and accountability mechanisms in Ukraine.
• Engagement with the media, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders to promote the recognition of children's rights and ensure accountability for their violations.
• Development of advocacy initiatives involving the participation of youth or children, provided that appropriate safety measures are observed and informed consent is obtained.

• September 11, 2026: Call announcement.
• October 1, 2026: Application submission deadline.
• October 1-16, 2026: Evaluation period.
• October 19, 2026: Notification of preliminary results.
• October 23, 2026: Due diligence, finalization of grants, expected date of signing agreements, and start of activities.
• August 30, 2027: Deadline for completion of activities.
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• Applications must be submitted electronically to the email addresses: procurement@grcompliance.org and zinebreffass@globalrightscompliance.co.uk.
• The subject line of the email must indicate: "Microgrant Application - Lot [1/2] - [Applicant Name]".
• Appendices (I–VII) must be submitted as electronic files.

• Relevance to project objectives (20 points): Alignment with the objectives and requirements of the respective lot, justification of the need, relevance to target groups, and expected contribution to achieving project results.
• Technical methodology (30 points): Quality, relevance, feasibility, and coherence of the proposed methodology, activities, work plan, and expected results.
• Child safeguarding approach (10 points): Adequacy of child safeguarding measures, obtaining informed consent, adherence to the "do no harm" principle, and application of a trauma-informed approach. (Applicants must score at least 5 out of 10 points for this criterion).
• Organizational capacity, feasibility of implementation, and risk management (20 points): Relevant organizational experience, implementation capacity, management mechanisms, as well as the adequacy of identified risks and mitigation measures.
• Cost-effectiveness (10 points): Reasonableness, necessity, and proportionality of the proposed costs compared to the expected results.
• Sustainability / utility of results (10 points): Probable utility, practical application, and sustainability of the proposed results after the completion of direct activities.
• Total: 100 points. The minimum overall score required for a funding application to be considered is 70 points.

• Appendix I: Microgrant Application Form and Concept Note.
• Appendix II: Budget and Budget Narrative.
• Appendix III: Declaration of Integrity, Eligibility, and Absence of Conflict of Interest.
• Appendix IV: Proof of Registration in Ukraine.
• Appendix V: Safeguarding Policy / Organizational Safeguarding Documentation.
• Appendix VI: Profiles and CVs of Key Personnel.
• Appendix VII: Risk Assessment.

• Grant recipients will submit technical and financial reports every two months (unless otherwise specified).
• The final technical and financial report shall be submitted no later than 45 days after the completion of the project.
• It is necessary to maintain accurate documentation and keep supporting documents for at least 3 years after the final balance payment.
• Applicants must successfully pass GRC's due-diligence procedure.

• Legal Framework and Liability: Funding is provided in accordance with the EU grant agreement. The grant decision becomes legally binding only after the Microgrant Agreement is signed. The recipient assumes full liability towards third parties for damages during the implementation of the project (GRC and the EU bear no such liability). It is prohibited to act, make promises, or assume obligations on behalf of GRC or the EU.
• EU Sanctions and Restrictions: A strict prohibition on providing grant funds or economic resources (directly or indirectly) to individuals or organizations subject to EU restrictive measures (sanctions).
• Confidentiality and Data Protection: Mandatory strict confidentiality regarding victims, witnesses, methodology, and evidence, which remains in effect throughout the project and for at least 5 years after its completion. Evidentiary materials and identifying information may not be transferred to authorities, the media, or third parties without informed consent, compliance with GRC protocols, and legislative requirements. Security measures are required, including encryption, pseudonymization, and access restriction.
• Ethics, Safeguarding, and Human Rights: Zero tolerance for fraud, bribery, corruption, sexual exploitation, harassment, and discrimination. Mandatory compliance with EU values (human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, human rights), environmental and labor legislation (prohibition of forced and child labor). All actions must be based on the "do no harm" principle with adherence to child safety policies.
• Intellectual Property and Visibility: GRC and the European Commission receive rights to use project results (publication, translation, dissemination) for non-commercial purposes. All materials must include a mention of EU funding and the mandatory disclaimer: "Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only..." (translated into Ukrainian if necessary). At the same time, visibility requirements are waived if publication creates a risk to safety, confidentiality, or the evidence base.
• Conflict of Interest: Recipients are obligated to prevent, detect, and immediately notify GRC of any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Consequences of Violations: GRC reserves the right to suspend payments, terminate the agreement, or demand the refund of funds in the event of material breaches, provision of false information, misuse of funds, or non-compliance with safety and confidentiality requirements.