1. Background

The present Call for Proposals (CfP) is administered by UNDP project Inclusive Recovery Support for Resilience and Human Security in Ukraine as the of the UNDP Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric Programme. Through this Programme, UNDP assists the government, civil society, and people of Ukraine in advancing democratic policies and practices needed to accelerate progress on sustainable human development. This includes advocating for human rights and gender equality, promoting active civic participation, strengthening social cohesion, supporting anti-corruption efforts, ensuring that all Ukrainian citizens can protect their rights, strengthening parliament, and empowering civil society and youth activists. 

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022 continues to have profound and far-reaching consequences on civilian lives and regional stability. The war has caused unprecedented social and economic disruptions, internal and external displacement, and a breakdown in public service delivery. In response to this multifaceted crisis, UNDP, with support from the Government of Japan, has launched the project Inclusive Recovery Support for Resilience and Human Security in Ukraine. This project aims to stimulate urgent recovery and strengthen resilience against the widespread death, destruction, displacement, and suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, for promoting Human Security in Ukraine. The project will undertake multi-sectoral and integrated immediate actions against interconnected and multidimensional threats that Ukraine is currently facing.    

Under this Output 5 of the Project, UNDP provides support to the Government in enhancing multi-level governance collaboration and policy dialogue in the recovery and regional development process. This Output aims to ensure that national recovery and regional development priorities are effectively integrated into regional and local policies, decisions, and projects. It also focuses on strengthening information resilience and building the capacity to counter disinformation across Ukraine by developing the strategic communication skills of government officials and empowering civil society. The aim is to foster trust between the population and the government and to empower communities — particularly through women-led initiatives and support for vulnerable groups. 

To support effective recovery coordination in Ukraine, it is critical to strengthen information integrity and build societal resilience against disinformation. Disinformation undermines public trust, distorts perceptions of recovery efforts, and hampers transparent governance. This Call for Proposals (CfP) by UNDP in Ukraine aims to enhance media literacy and information resilience by supporting evidence-based research on disinformation, advancing the implementation of the national media literacy strategy, and building media literacy skills across targeted communities. Special emphasis will be placed on grassroots initiatives, particularly those led by women, that contribute to countering disinformation and building societal resilience across Ukraine.

In parallel, the CfP also addresses the urgent need to mitigate corruption risks in the recovery process and reinforce anti-corruption capacities at national and local levels. To address this, UNDP will support authorities in strengthening policy frameworks, enhancing institutional capacities, and promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in recovery and development planning.

2. Оbjectives of the competition: 

Through this Call for Proposals (CfP), UNDP in Ukraine seeks to strengthen Ukraine’s information resilience by supporting civil society efforts aligned with the national Media Literacy Development Strategy and UNDP’s broader governance and recovery framework. The competition is structured into three thematic lots, each addressing a critical aspect of the national response to disinformation and the advancement of media literacy. 

Additionally, the UNDP in Ukraine aims to support civil society organizations in promoting transparency, accountability and a culture of integrity within the government institutions. The overarching aim is to enhance the capacities of national and local actors to mitigate corruption risks through the development and implementation of anti-corruption frameworks and practices.

Lot 1: Promoting media literacy at national and subnational levels

This lot aims to support national and local initiatives that elevate public awareness and embed media literacy as a core societal value, contributing to the implementation of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy’s of Ukraine Media Literacy Development Strategy until 2026 (since autumn 2024 Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications).

Proposed activities may include:

• Designing and launching public information campaigns on media literacy.
• Producing and disseminating multimedia content to counter disinformation and promote critical thinking.
• Facilitating coordination between government agencies, CSOs, educators, and media institutions.
• Organizing community dialogues and events that foster societal resilience and trust in governance.
• Developing inclusive messaging strategies tailored to vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, including IDPs, older persons, and youth in rural areas.
• Strengthening communication capacities of regional and local authorities for more effective public outreach.

Lot 2: Monitoring media literacy levels and researching malign information influence

This lot supports data-driven approaches to improve policymaking and strategic communications through research and monitoring initiatives.

Proposed activities may include:

• Conducting national and regional surveys to assess media literacy levels by age, gender, region, and socio-economic status.
• Mapping disinformation narratives circulating in traditional and digital media, including messaging apps.
• Researching the gendered and social impacts of disinformation, hate speech, and conspiracy theories.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of past and ongoing media literacy interventions.
• Developing dashboards, reports, and policy briefs that inform national strategies and action plans.
• Establishing or strengthening monitoring mechanisms for the early detection of malign information influence.

Lot 3: Developing media literacy skills among targeted populations

This lot focuses on equipping key societal actors with the tools and knowledge to recognize, respond to, and counter disinformation through practical skill-building initiatives.

Proposed activities may include:

• Designing and delivering tailored training programmes for:
  • teachers and educational professionals.
  • media workers and local journalists.
  • civil society organizations and community leaders.
  • bloggers, influencers, and content creators.
• Producing user-friendly educational toolkits and guidance for critical media consumption and content verification.
• Facilitating peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, and networking platforms to scale good practices.
• Supporting women-led or youth-led organizations in amplifying their reach and impact through digital literacy initiatives.
• Piloting gamified or interactive learning tools that promote active civic engagement.
• Ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in all training content and methodologies.

Lot 4: Strengthen anti-corruption capacities of national and sub-national actors through development, implementation of anti-corruption policies and practices to enhance transparency, accountability and integrity during recovery period

This lot aims to contribute to a more resilient system of national and local governance by supporting the development of practical tools, guidance, and institutional mechanisms to address corruption risks effectively. These efforts will be carried out in close collaboration with the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine and UNDP.

Proposed activities under CSO projects may include: 

• Promote transparency, accountability, and integrity at the national and regional levels through the development of anti-corruption policies and delivery of capacity development activities (to be implemented in at least two oblasts, as determined by UNDP at a later stage);
• Enhance anti-corruption capacities of representatives of national and sub-national institutions through development initiatives and tailored hybrid – format, followed by implementation support and expert hands-on guidance;
• Preparation of methodological recommendations and tools (e.g., interactive guides, e-learning materials) to support institutional integrity. 

The CSO projects should aim to enhance the capacities of key institutional stakeholders, including local governments, anti-corruption officers, and relevant national bodies, to implement sustainable and practical anti-corruption measures at all levels. 

Lot 5: Fostering a culture of integrity through whistleblower protection activities in support of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

This Lot aims to foster a culture of integrity and public trust by raising awareness, encouraging civic engagement, and strengthening the whistleblower protection ecosystem in Ukraine. The initiative will support Ukraine’s broader recovery and reconstruction by empowering individuals and institutions to recognize and report corruption safely and effectively. Through research, outreach, and capacity-building, the initiative seeks to engage public officials, civil society, and representatives of local communities in promoting a safe and supportive environment for whistleblowers.

Proposed activities under CSO projects may include: 

• Conduct research on the current state of whistleblower protection and related barriers in Ukraine with special focus on sub-national level;
• Develop and deliver targeted capacity-development trainings for representatives of local communities, anti-corruption officers, and CSOs representatives on whistleblower protection mechanisms and safe reporting practices (at least in 5 communities will be selected by UNDP);
• Conduct public awareness and community engagement activities to foster a culture of integrity with special focus on whistleblowing at the sub-national level (guides, recommendations, outreach materials).

3. Participants of the competition: 

Non-profit organizations, in particular charitable organizations, and public associations (including civil society organizations and unions) that are officially registered in Ukraine for no less than one year and have experience in project implementation in the proposed priority area. 

The contest does not provide grants to profit organizations, political parties, state authorities, local governments, religious communities and private (physical) individuals and entrepreneurs. 

3.1. Eligible organization 

The parameters that will determine whether an NGO is eligible to be considered for funding by UNDP will be based on the Capacity Assessment Checklist CACHE (Annex 5). 

3.2. Specific requirements (per lot): 

Lot 1, Lot 2: Have the status of a non-governmental public or charitable organization, civic union, or association of CSO/NGOs officially registered in Ukraine for no less than 4 (four) years and have a proven record of similar projects implemented with the support of international donors or technical assistance projects. Preferably, the organisation has to be women-led.

For Lot 3: Have the status of a non-governmental public or charitable organisation, civic union, or association of CSO/NGOs officially registered in Ukraine for CSO with 1 year of experience, and have a proven record of at least 2 implemented similar projects with the support of international donors or technical assistance projects. Preferably, the organisation has to be women-led.

For Lot 4, Lot 5: Have the status of a non-governmental public or charitable organization, civic union, or association of CSO/NGOs officially registered in Ukraine for no less than 3 (three years) and/or have a proven record of implementation of similar projects with the support of international donors or technical assistance projects. 

3.3. Geographic location: 

UNDP will accept applications from all regions of Ukraine.

4. Budget and allowed expenses: 

Eligible costs must: 

• be necessary for carrying out project activities;
• have been incurred by the applicant during the implementation period;
• comply with the principles of sound financial management, in particular value for and cost-effectiveness;
• be properly recorded, identifiable verifiable, and backed by original supporting documents.

UNDP grant may only be used to cover the following costs: 

• staff salaries and expert fees;
• purchase of consultative services provided that are essential for project goals and objectives;
• consumables and supplies, including minor personal protective equipment;
• printing and copying;
• utility services;
• renting, catering and other services envisaged by the project activities;
• travel costs (provided that travel complies with internal UNDP regulations). 

The following costs are ineligible:  

• costs of project proposal preparation;
• debts reconciliation;
• international travel;
• reimbursement of expenses related to exchange rate fluctuations;
• creation and registration of the organization;
• direct fiscal support to state authorities;
• political activity;
• religious propaganda;
• activities leading to direct or indirect discrimination of any social strata;
• projects aimed at gaining profit from activities;
• construction or repair work;
• purchase of vehicles and / or luxury goods and related services.

5. Financial conditions and terms of implementation: 

The contribution from the implementing organization or from other sources will be considered and will be regarded as an advantage for the applicant. This contribution could be made both financially and in non-financial form (for example, remuneration of the personnel of the organization, provision of its office or equipment for project tasks, etc.). 

It is envisioned that the budget within the project proposal should be no more than  

Lot 1 – up to USD 25,000. 

All grants under Lot 1 are expected to be completed by 15 February 2026. 

Not more than 10% of the grant funds may be spent on equipment, provided a clear justification for its need to achieve the project goal. 

Lot 2 – up to USD 35,000. 

All grants under Lot 3 should envision completion by 15 February 2026. 

Not more than 10% of the grant funds may be spent on equipment, provided a clear justification for its need to achieve the project goal. 

Lot 3 – up to USD 30,000. 

All grants should envision completion by 15th February 2026. 

Not more than 10% of the grant funds may be spent on equipment, provided a clear justification for its need to achieve the project goal. 

Lot 4 - up to USD 30, 000 

All grants should envision completion by 15th February 2026.  

Not more than 10% of the grant funds may be spent on equipment, provided a clear justification for its need to achieve the project goal. 

Lot 5 - up to USD 20, 000 

All grants should envision completion by 15th February 2026.  

Not more than 10% of the grant funds may be spent on equipment, provided a clear justification for its need to achieve the project goal. 

The grant tranches are paid by UNDP in advance, except for the last tranche. The last tranche, with a minimum amount of at least 10% of the total grant budget amount, should be covered by the CSOs' own funds. After successfully processing the final financial report, UNDP will compensate the eligible expenses incurred under the third tranche. 

6. SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: 

The CfPs will be advertised through the websites of the following organizations: 

• UNDP Ukraine: www.undp.org.ua and its Facebook page
• as well as other relevant social networks and information portals. 

For Lots 1,2,3

Applications (project proposals) must be developed in Ukrainian according to templates that  arepart of the CfP. 

The application package shall consist of: 

1. The filled-out Application form (done on a computer as a Microsoft Word file);
2. Copy of the Charter of the applicant organization (PDF);
3. Copy of State registration certificate (PDF);
4. Banking details (PDF);
5. Resumes of proposed specialists for project implementation (Microsoft Word or PDF)
6. Self-assessment form (template will be provided, PDF)
7. A letter of support for the project implementation from the relevant government institution, appropriate partners organizations or beneficiaries is mandatory;
8. Other relevant supporting documentation, including reference letters, report samples, or others (Microsoft Word or PDF). 

The document package shall be archived as *.zip or *.rar and not password-protected; it shall not be larger than 35 Mb in total. The package shall be sent to the designated e-mail with the letter title containing the name of the competition as stated in the CFP. Applications sent through means other than the one described above will not be considered. 

Project proposals are submitted in Ukrainian and sent by e-mail to: grants.ua@undp.org and valentyna.aksonova@undp.org, specifying in the subject line the title of the competition “Promoting transparency and information integrity for an inclusive and resilient recovery of Ukraine” and the number of the Lot.  

Contact persons: Valentyna Aksonova, valentyna.aksonova@undp.org  (Lots 1,2,3).

The deadline for submitting grant proposals under Lots 1, 2, 3 is 18 July, 2025 

For Lots 4,5

Applications (project proposals) must be developed in Ukrainian according to templates that are part of the CfP. 

The application package shall consist of 

1. The filled-out Application form (done on a computer as a Microsoft Word file);
2. Copy of Charter of the applicant organization (PDF);
3. Copy of State registration certificate (PDF);
4. Banking details (PDF);
5. Resumes of proposed specialists for project implementation (Microsoft Word or PDF)
6. Self-assessment form (template will be provided, PDF)
7. A letter of support for the project implementation from the relevant government institution, appropriate partners organizations or beneficiaries is mandatory;
8. Other relevant supporting documentation, including reference letters, report samples, or others (Microsoft Word or PDF). 

The document package shall be archived as *.zip or *.rar and not password-protected; it shall not be larger than 35 Mb in total. The package shall be sent to the designated e-mail with the letter title containing the name of the competition as stated in the CFP. Applications sent through means other than the one described above will not be considered. 

Project proposals are submitted in Ukrainian and sent by e-mail to: grants.ua@undp.org, and daryna.yakymchuk@undp.org specifying in the subject line the title of the competition “Promoting transparency and information integrity for an inclusive and resilient recovery of Ukraine” and the number of the Lot. 

Contact person: Daryna Yakymchuk, daryna.yakymchuk@undp.org (Lots 4,5).

The deadline for submitting grant proposals under Lots 4, 5 is 18 July, 2025. 

7. Selection process 

7.1. Assessment procedures 

UNDP specialists will review the project concepts submitted for stage I of the competition and select organizations which will be invited to submit finalized project proposals. 

The project proposals submitted for stage II – Submission of the project proposals will be checked against the criteria for the assessment of proposals. At this stage, the UNDP can request additional information from the applicants at its own discretion. 

To ensure full transparency and equity in the process, UNDP forms a Grant Selection Committee (GSC) that will appraise the proposals that have made it through the first stage. GSC is a temporary authorized body responsible for considering, selecting, and recommending funding proposals. The Grant Selection Committee may decide to request an additional independent expert opinion during the selection process. 

7.2. Criteria for the assessment of the proposal 

The proposals shall be assessed by the GSC in accordance to the following criteria: 

8. Reporting, monitoring and evaluation 

8.1. Monitoring and evaluation, frameworks for project implementation 

The Grantee is responsible for monitoring project implementation and evaluating its results. UNDP will monitor the project through Grantee reports, online consultations, site visits, meetings with project personnel and stakeholders, and participation in project events. 

8.2. Reporting 

The Grantee shall submit the following reports according to UNDP format: 

• Brief reports on demand occasionally requested by UNDP in cases when information on Programme implementation is required in between reporting periods;
• A Completion report, including a summary of activities and results as well as a financial report for the total duration of an agreement. 

Annexes:

Annex 1

Annexes 2, 3, 4

Annex 5 

Annexes 6, 7