Civil society organizations in hromadas of Zaporizka, Mykolaivska, Poltavska, Sumska, Kharkivska, and Khersonska oblasts are invited to apply for a grant competition. With the funding provided, organizations can establish crisis rooms, launch mobile psychological support teams, conduct information campaigns, and train professionals to strengthen systems for preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV).
The international organization CIVIC (Center for Civilians in Conflict) has announced the competition under the Local Initiatives Fund, which supports locally driven solutions to protect civilians in hromadas affected by war.
The program aims to create or strengthen local systems for preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Particular attention will be given to supporting the most vulnerable groups, including women and girls, children, older people, persons with disabilities or limited mobility, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Such initiatives help hromadas build real support mechanisms for survivors of violence and improve coordination among local services. For IDP Councils, this program can become an opportunity to highlight safety and protection issues affecting displaced people, initiate cooperation between civil society organizations and local authorities, and contribute to the creation of safe spaces and access to assistance for IDPs in host hromadas.
Geographic scope of the grant program
Organizations operating in the following hromadas may apply:
Zaporizka Oblast: Shyrokivska, Pavlivska, Matviivska, Vilnianska.
Mykolaivska Oblast: Arbuzynska, Buzka, Pivdennoukrainska.
Khersonska Oblast: Kochubeivska.
Kharkivska Oblast: Krasnokutska, Blyzniukivska, Rohanska, Chkalovska, Chuhuivska.
Sumska Oblast: Lypovodolynska, Synivska.
Poltavska Oblast: Petrivsko-Romenska, Velykobudyshchanska, Serhiivska.
Types of projects that may receive support
Possible activities include:
- establishing or equipping crisis rooms and safe spaces for survivors;
- supporting mobile psychological response teams;
- providing psychological, legal, and social assistance to survivors;
- training educators to identify early signs of violence;
- training social workers and local authorities on response protocols;
- conducting information campaigns in communities;
- organizing support groups for survivors;
- educational activities for youth and adolescents on gender equality;
- developing local mechanisms for responding to GBV cases.
Applications are open to Ukrainian civil society organizations that:
- are officially registered and have non-profit status;
- have experience implementing projects in civilian protection or violence prevention;
- cooperate with local self-government bodies and can provide letters of support;
- have the organizational capacity to manage projects and report on the use of funds.
Application deadlines
The competition will take place in two rounds: until 31 March 2026 — for hromadas in Zaporizka, Mykolaivska, and Khersonska oblasts; until 31 May 2026 — for hromadas in Kharkivska, Sumska, and Poltavska oblasts. Approximately nine projects are expected to receive support in each round.
This publication was made with the support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ukraine. The content of the publication is the sole responsibility of the Charitable Organization “Charity Foundation “Stabilization Support Services” and does not reflect the views of UNHCR.