Minigrants to communities as part of small-scale initiatives

The grant programme is implemented by the Right to Protection Charitable Foundation as part of the First National PULSE Consortium. The call supports local initiatives proposed by local self-government authorities and military administrations (where established) that address the urgent needs of communities.

The programme supports projects aimed at:

• strengthening humanitarian response capacity;
• improving access to services;
• enhancing social cohesion;
• supporting vulnerable population groups;
• developing practical community-based solutions.

The geographical scope of the programme covers the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Sumy regions of Ukraine.

The programme aims to support small-scale initiatives that enable communities to respond quickly to local humanitarian needs, improve access to essential services, and create a safer environment for local residents.

The grant programme is open to:

• local self-government authorities;
• military administrations of settlements (where established);
• municipal institutions, organizations, or enterprises acting as the implementing entity with the support of the relevant local authority or military administration.

The official applicant must be a local self-government authority or a military administration. If the project will be implemented by a municipal institution, enterprise, or organization, this must be specified in the application and supported by the relevant documentation.

The grant programme provides funding for costs directly related to the implementation of the proposed initiative and defines both eligible and ineligible expenditures. The maximum grant amount is UAH 295,000. Grant funds are earmarked and may only be used for expenses included in the initiative description and the approved project budget.

Eligible costs may include:

• procurement of equipment, furniture, materials, and other items required for implementation;
• payments for contractors or service providers performing minor renovation, space improvement, accessibility-related, or other implementation works;
• staff training or capacity building where necessary for the initiative;
• printing of information and communication materials;
• other goods, equipment, or services, provided their direct relevance to the initiative is properly justified.

Grant funding cannot be used for expenses unrelated to the initiative, debt repayment, costs already financed from other sources, preparation of the grant application, political activities, procurement of items prohibited by law, salaries of the applicant's permanent staff, or any other expenditures that do not comply with the competition requirements.

The grant programme supports local initiatives that address priority community needs. Applicants may submit projects under one or more of the designated thematic areas.

Supported project areas include:

• barrier-free access to services and safe public spaces;
• mobile and community-based social services;
• basic social services for vulnerable population groups;
• support for veterans, their families, and families of those killed or missing;
• active ageing and support for older people;
• education and community safety initiatives;
• youth participation, social cohesion, and integration;
• psychosocial support and strengthening local resilience;
• capacity building for local service providers and community initiative groups;
• local solutions for rapid humanitarian response.

The grant programme follows a defined timeline for application submission and project implementation.

Key milestones include:

• Launch of the call for proposals – 16 July 2026.
• Application submission deadline – 31 July 2026 at 18:00.
• Following the selection process, approved initiatives must be implemented within a period not exceeding 6 months.

To apply for the grant programme, applicants should complete the following steps:

• Complete the application form.
• Prepare and complete the project budget form.
• Prepare the required supporting documents.
• Upload all required documents and submit the application via the Google Form.

Before submission, applicants should ensure that all required documents are complete and properly filled in.

During the selection process, priority will be given to initiatives that meet the following criteria:

• clearly define the problem and target audience;
• are based on the actual needs of the community;
• deliver practical and measurable results;
• can be implemented within a period of up to 6 months;
• ensure the sustainability and continued use of project results after the grant period;
• have the support of a relevant structural unit, municipal institution, or another implementing entity;
• do not duplicate funding from other sources.

To pass the technical eligibility screening, applicants must submit a complete set of mandatory documents. Failure to provide any required document may result in the application being excluded from further evaluation.

The mandatory application package includes:

• an official letter confirming participation in the call;
• up-to-date applicant registration documents;
• documents confirming the authority of the signatory (where applicable);
• documents confirming the legal right to use the project implementation site (where relevant);
• a declaration of compliance and integrity;
• confirmation of the sustainability of the initiative's results;
• a document identifying the implementing entity (if different from the applicant);
• confirmation of co-financing, where applicable under the call conditions or the submitted application.

Applicants may also submit additional supporting documents, such as community strategies and programmes, needs assessments, preliminary technical documentation, evidence supporting the proposed budget, letters of support from partners and stakeholders, and information about the project implementation team.

The grant programme establishes a number of requirements that applicants must comply with throughout the selection process and project implementation.

Key provisions include:

• Submitting an application does not guarantee funding, as the number of grants available is limited.
• The programme organizer may request clarifications or additional supporting documents from applicants during the review process.
• An application may be rejected or funding terminated in cases of:
  • submission of false or misleading information;
  • failure to disclose conflicts of interest;
  • double funding of the proposed project.
• The competition is implemented with the support of UK International Development and the Government of the United Kingdom under the National PULSE Consortium, coordinated by the Right to Protection Charitable Foundation. Funding is provided through the SHARP component of the Humanitarian, Recovery and Protection Programme.