The development of local capacities for creating a barrier-free environment and services

The development of local capacities for creating a barrier-free environment and services program is implemented within the long-term donor initiative of the staff of the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU), implemented by Chemonics. PFRU is funded by the governments of Canada, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Its goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience in the context of Russian aggression by supporting communities in cooperation with authorities, civil society, media, and business.

The request is aimed at developing the capacities of local self-government bodies and service providers to remove barriers in physical, economic, educational, informational, and other spheres. The main focus is creating a barrier-free environment and expanding citizens’ access to quality and inclusive services.

Organizations submitting project proposals under this RFA must meet the following requirements:

• Be officially registered and recognized under Ukrainian legislation as a civil society organization or NGO.

• Have the status of a non-profit organization.

• Be prepared to undergo the PFRU due diligence process and complete the self-assessment form attached to the application. Applicants will be screened through the Visual Compliance system (a search system for international lists of prohibited persons and entities published by the UK, USA, Canada, EU, UN, and other international lists).

• Have personnel consisting of qualified specialists with experience in project management and financial reporting.

• Confirm the existence of an effective governance structure and management systems, including financial, administrative, and technical policies and procedures, as well as an internal control system ensuring asset protection and preventing fraud, bribery, corruption, misuse, or misappropriation of funds.

• Have a “Health, Wellbeing and Human Rights Protection Policy” and detailed information on procedures and measures that ensure compliance with this policy during project implementation.

• Ensure appropriate care for staff and/or engaged consultants, and be ready to provide information on relevant policies, processes, and procedures to confirm the organization’s capacity to meet this requirement.

• Adhere to ethical and business conduct requirements, as well as to the Chemonics Supplier Code of Conduct (included in the Applicant Self-Assessment Form, Annex C), which is based on the UK FCDO Code of Conduct.

The following organizations are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply for grants under this competition:

• Organizations registered in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine that have not re-registered in territories controlled by the Government of Ukraine;

• Organizations not registered under Ukrainian law (unless otherwise agreed separately with the FCDO);

• Organizations that have misused donor funds within the past five years;

• Organizations listed in additional UK government sources on prohibited organizations or debarred persons;

• Organizations with an “active exclusion from participation” status in Visual Compliance (a screening system checking exclusion lists of the UK, USA, and other countries);

• Political parties, groups, institutions, or their subsidiaries and affiliated entities;

• Organizations that support or promote anti-democratic policies or illegal activities;

• Organizations registered in Russia, North Korea, or Iran;

• Organizations associated with any person or entity included in the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Sanctions List.

Type of funding

“Cost reimbursement” or “Milestone-based cost reimbursement” (both options require the submission of periodic financial reports).

Cost eligibility requirements

The costs specified in the budget must be eligible in accordance with:

• “Eligible Cost Guidance for Commercial Contracts” issued by the UK FCDO,

• “FCDO Eligible Cost Guidance for Accountable Grant Agreements”

Prohibited procurements

Procurement of goods produced by the following companies is prohibited:

• Huawei Technology Company,

• ZTE Corporation,

• Hytera Communications Corporation,

• Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company,

• Dahua Technology Company.

Workstream 1

Enhancing the knowledge and skills of local self-government representatives and service providers to deliver inclusive, accessible services and create a barrier-free environment in their communities.

Training topics may include (the list is not exhaustive):

• Universal design and a barrier-free environment in physical, informational, and digital dimensions;

• Accessible information and ethical communication with diverse population groups, including the use of inclusive language and accessible formats (sign language, subtitles, Braille, easy-to-read formats, plain language, etc.);

• Application and integration of assistive technologies to improve service accessibility;

• Cross-sectoral cooperation, including collaboration with representatives of target groups in planning, developing, and evaluating accessibility initiatives, etc.

Requirements for project proposals

Project proposals for Workstream 1 must:

• Clearly define the problem to be addressed;

• Identify specific barriers to accessibility or inclusion in the target communities;

• Specify the target audience, which may include staff of local self-government bodies, social service providers, educators, cultural workers, and other relevant specialists.

Proposals must also include:

• A description of the training methodology that combines theoretical and practical components (interactive trainings, case analysis, simulations, accessibility audits, etc.);

• The training format (online, offline, or hybrid), depending on local conditions and participant accessibility.

Methodological requirements and expected results

Proposals under Workstream 1 must demonstrate:

• How the acquired knowledge and skills will contribute to improving the quality and accessibility of services in communities;

The presence of measurable results, such as:

• the number of participants who completed the training,

• developed materials,

• implemented changes,

• piloted solutions.

Workstream 2

Support in developing local strategic documents that promote a systematic and sustainable approach to creating a barrier-free environment.

Key requirements for project proposals

Project proposals for Workstream 2 must include a clear justification and problem analysis outlining existing barriers to accessibility and the need for a systematic, long-term approach to creating a barrier-free environment at the local level. They must also include a detailed methodology and work plan describing the process of developing or updating local strategic documents (action plans, concepts of barrier-free routes, or targeted programmes) and ensuring their compliance with national policies and standards; evidence of stakeholder engagement, including participation of local governments, service providers, civil society organizations, and representatives of target groups (such as persons with disabilities, veterans, or internally displaced persons) in planning and decision-making; measurable results such as draft or approved strategic documents, established coordination mechanisms, or practical tools that enhance community capacity to advance barrier-free development.

Requirements for project proposals

Project proposals must:

• be based on the principles of non-discrimination, equality, human-centredness, universal design, and reasonable accommodation;

• comply with Ukrainian legislation, international standards, and recognized global best practices in the fields of inclusion, accessibility, and human rights;

• combine theoretical knowledge with practical tools that participants can apply in their daily work (e.g., checklists, questionnaires, policies, algorithms, etc.);

• use interactive learning methods—practical exercises, role plays, simulations, case studies, field sessions, accessibility audits, work with real examples and materials;

• contribute to tangible improvements in service delivery practices, environmental design, or community-level communication.

GEDSI integration

Furthermore, project proposals must ensure the integration of GEDSI principles into the design and implementation of activities. This includes applying a participatory approach that involves women and men, including women and men with disabilities, veterans, internally displaced persons, as well as youth, older persons, and other groups that may face exclusion, ensuring equal access and representation.

Applicants are encouraged to consider that the needs, experiences, and barriers faced by women and men in these groups may differ. Integrating gender-sensitive analysis into the development of local strategies, action plans, and improvements to service delivery will help ensure that the resulting policies and interventions are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.

Announcement date: 24 November 2025

Online workshop: 09 December 2025 at 14:00

Deadline for submitting questions: 29 December 2025, 23:59

Application submission deadline: 04 January 2026, 23:59

1) Online form

The online form, available via the provided link, contains a request for basic information about the organization and the project proposal.

2) Grant proposal form (Annex A)

The Grant Proposal Form (Annex A), signed by the authorized representative of the applicant. Participants must propose a detailed project implementation strategy aligned with the RFA activities and demonstrate a deep understanding of the PFRU program’s needs.

Requirements for Workstream 1

Project proposals for Workstream 1 must clearly define the problem to be addressed, identify specific barriers to accessibility or inclusion in target communities, and specify the target audience, including local self-government staff, social service providers, educators, cultural workers, and other relevant specialists. Proposals must also include a description of the training methodology combining theoretical and practical components, such as interactive trainings, case analysis, simulations, accessibility audits, etc.

Requirements for Workstream 2

Project proposals for Workstream 2 must include a detailed methodology and work plan describing the process of developing or updating local strategic documents (action plans, concepts of barrier-free routes, or targeted programs) and ensuring their compliance with national policies and standards; evidence of stakeholder engagement, including participation of local governments, service providers, civil society organizations, and representatives of target groups (such as persons with disabilities, veterans, or internally displaced persons) in planning and decision-making; measurable results such as draft or approved strategic documents, established coordination mechanisms, or practical tools that enhance community capacity to advance barrier-free development.

3) Budget (Annex B)

The grant application form and budget must be submitted in the prescribed formats, following the instructions and recommendations provided in the annex.
Note that the grantee will receive the final payment of 5–10% of the total project budget after submitting 100% of the required reports, including confirmation of all financial transactions.

4) Applicant self-assessment form (Annex C)

All organizations selected for grant awards are subject to a preliminary assessment of their minimum management and financial capacities to handle UK government funds, as well as compliance with the Chemonics Supplier Code of Conduct, which is based on the FCDO Code of Conduct.

5) Risk matrix (Annex D)

6) Letters of support from administrations (if available)

Grant proposal submission requirements

Grant proposals must be submitted in Ukrainian (Word format, Times New Roman, font size 11, single spacing, up to 10 pages) using the templates in Annexes A, B, C, and D.

Complete project proposals must be submitted electronically to: pfru-grants@chemonics.com, specifying the competition number 19-01_Barrier-free environment.

The selection committee will evaluate full grant applications according to the following eligibility criteria, which are presented in the table below.

The grant proposal must be submitted together with copies of all available policies or founding documents requested in the “Self-Assessment Form”:

• Extract from the Unified State Register / registration documents (including all re-registration documents, if applicable);

• Certificate of non-profit status;

• Charter (latest version);

• Organizational structure and CVs of key personnel;

• Existing policies;

• Financial statements (for the last 3 years, if available);

• Audit report(s) (if available).

Workshop before submitting the application

PFRU will hold an online workshop before the application submission on 09 December 2025 at 14:00 Kyiv time on the Microsoft Teams platform (link). This workshop will provide an opportunity for interested participants to ask questions regarding the Request for Applications (hereinafter – RFA) and receive instructions on completing the application form, the self-assessment form, or any other RFA requirements.

Budget cost requirements

The costs reflected in the budget must:

• Have a direct connection to the implementation of activities and be necessary for their execution;

• Comply with the legislation of Ukraine, including regulations on taxation, labor relations, and other relevant areas;

• Be reasonable, appropriate, and aligned with the principles of sound financial management;

• Be incurred within the defined period;

• Be identifiable, documented, and recorded in the grantee’s accounting system in accordance with applicable standards and the organization’s customary accounting practices.

Restrictions regarding suppliers

RFA participants are not allowed to propose or supply goods or services provided by companies whose receipt of funding or assistance has been suspended by the governments of the United Kingdom or the United States, or companies that are debarred or otherwise prohibited from receiving such assistance or funding.

PFRU grants are provided in accordance with the UK FCDO Standard Terms and Conditions, as well as the Chemonics Supplier Code of Conduct, which is based on the FCDO Code of Conduct. This code is included in the Applicant Self-Assessment Form and is mandatory for all funding recipients to comply with.

PFRU is obliged to ensure that all organizations funded by the FCDO adhere to the guidelines set out in the above provisions, in accordance with the terms of the grant agreements.

The FCDO reserves the right to refuse grant candidates proposed by Chemonics and to suspend, in whole or in part, the provision of grant funds at any time.

This Request for Applications does not oblige Chemonics to fund any activity or award funding to any applicant.