Professional Retraining in Logistics, Transport and Agricultural Machinery for the Restoration of Frontline Regions

Partnership for a Strong Ukraine Program, Phase 2 (PFRU-2).

PFRU-2 (implemented by Chemonics) is a multi-year donor program funded by the governments of Canada, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The goal of PFRU-2 is to strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian government in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine by providing necessary support to local communities in cooperation with the Ukrainian government, civil society, media and the private sector.

The program includes two lots:

• Lot 1 – retraining of individuals in logistics and transport professions (e.g., C/CE category drivers, warehouse operators, dispatchers and other logistics support workers);
• Lot 2 – retraining of agricultural machinery operators (tractor operators, combine operators and other specialists).

It is planned to retrain at least 170 participants in target regions.

Projects should combine professional training with employment support and active employer participation so that participants acquire qualifications and have real chances for sustainable employment.
 
The focus is on adult residents of priority communities, including vulnerable groups (internally displaced persons, women, youth, veterans, people with disabilities).

PSUF-2 target communities:

• Chernihiv region: Semenivska*, Novhorod-Siverska, Snovska, Horodnianska, Chernihivska
• Donetsk region: Cherkaska, Novodonets Lyman*, Bilozers Kramatorska*
• Dnipropetrovsk region: Kamianska, Pavlohradska*, Synelnykivska, Kryvorizka, Slovianska*, Dniprovska
• Kharkiv region: Slobozhanska, Krasnokutska, Balakliiska, Merefianska, Chuhuivska, Solonytsivska, Pechenizka, Bohodukhivska, Shevchenkivska*, Velykoburlutska*, Kharkivska
• Kherson region: Velykoleksandrivska, Vysokopilska, Khersonska
• Mykolaiv region: Bashtanska, Halytshnivska, Snihurivska, Mykolaivska
• Odesa region: Bilhorod-Dnistrovska, Velykodolynska, Chornomorska, Yuzhenska, Odeska
• Sumy region: Seredyno-Budska*, Druzhbivska*, Yampilska*, Sveska*, Berezivska*, Okhtyrska, Nedryhailivska, Burynska*, Putyvlska*, Lebedynska, Esmanska*, Hlukhivska*, Novoslobidska*, Velykopysarivska*, Shalyhinска, Nyzhniosyrovatska, Mykolaivska*, Sadivska*, Vorozhbianska*, Trostianetska, Sumska
• Zaporizhzhia region: Pavlivska, Dolynska, Zaporizka

* Communities marked with an asterisk are classified as limited-access (due to frequent hostilities and limited access) or inaccessible (due to high-intensity hostilities or dangerous access). While the Program does not expect grantees to conduct face-to-face training directly in these communities, individuals officially registered as residents of the respective territories are eligible to participate and should be invited to attend training in alternative safe locations.

Eligible organizations must be non-profit and officially registered in Ukraine; have the necessary management capacity, policies and procedures; undergo due diligence (Visual Compliance, YouControl).

Organizations registered in temporarily occupied territories or in Russia, political parties and organizations from sanctions lists are prohibited from applying.

Expenses must be directly related to the implementation of activities and necessary for their implementation; comply with Ukrainian legislation; be justified, appropriate and incurred during the specified project implementation period; be clearly defined, documented and reflected in the grantee's accounting system

• Development and implementation of training programs for retraining in logistics, transport and operation of agricultural machinery;
• Conducting theoretical and practical modules with subsequent certification;
• Engaging employers for practical training and employment;
• Conducting career consultations, job search assistance, resume preparation and development of soft skills;
• Integration of gender equality principles, support for vulnerable groups and ensuring inclusion.

• The applicant fills out an online form;
• prepares a grant proposal form, budget, self-assessment form, risk matrix and required documents; documents are prepared in Ukrainian in Word format (Times New Roman 11, up to 10 pages);
• the complete application is sent by email to pfru-grants@chemonics.com indicating competition number 23-04_Reskilling by 11:59 PM on December 10, 2025

Grant applications are evaluated according to criteria: methodology and project design – 50 points; expertise and experience – 20 points; budget and value for money – 20 points; risk management – 10 points.

To proceed to the next stage, it is necessary to score over 70 points

• Completed online form;
• grant proposal form (Annex A);
• budget (Annex B);
• self-assessment form (Annex C) together with copies of extract from Unified State Register/registration documents, non-profit certificate, charter, organizational structure and list of key personnel, internal policies, financial statements for the last 3 years, audit reports (if available);
• risk matrix (Annex D);
• letters of consent for cooperation from ministries, local administrations or educational service providers (if possible).

Grantees must conduct After Action Reviews (mandatory) after each stage of work; quarterly Action Learning Sessions are recommended; it is necessary to inform in advance about training sessions, follow provided recommendations and transfer collected data to project teams within specified deadlines.

Results reports should include documentation on labor market, training program development, participant recruitment, training delivery, partnerships and employment.

During implementation, it is necessary to comply with "USAID Standard Terms and Conditions" and the Chemonics Supplier Code of Conduct.

• grants are provided in accordance with "USAID Standard Terms and Conditions" and the Chemonics Supplier Code of Conduct;
• USAID may refuse to provide a grant or terminate funding at any time;
  participants must comply with the Code of Ethics, fraud and bribery are prohibited, and procurement of products from Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, Dahua, etc. is prohibited;
• expenses must comply with USAID guidelines on eligible costs.