1. BACKGROUND

The present call for proposals is organized by the UNDP project “Civil Society and Youth Support” funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a nation-scale 4-year initiative which runs from 1st January 2023 until 31st December 2026. The Civil Society and Youth Support Project (CSYP) builds on many years of joint programming by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DMFA) and UNDP supporting civil society and youth empowerment. CSYP contributes to the following long-term result: “Ukraine's civil society and youth are impactful players in strengthening the country's resilience and recovery, democracy and human rights agenda, including issues of respect to diversity and women's rights and social cohesion“. The project has a three-dimensional approach. Firstly, it intends to strengthen civil society organizations: focusing first and foremost at the subnational level) to enable active civil society participation in strengthening Ukraine’s resilience, sustainable recovery and development processes, link established CSOs with youth groups especially newly emerged initiatives after February 2022 to ensure cross-fertilization in skills. Secondly, the project will work at the central level to create a more enabling policy environment for CSOs and support the national "youth machinery". CSYP will support CSOs to monitor the implementation of national-level policies to determine progress made and areas needing additional efforts. Thirdly and finally, CSYP is designed to support Ukrainian youth in to actively participate in Ukraine’s recovery by honing their skills for good citizenship and leadership. The project will support youth-driven projects and expose young women and men to how local governments operate to implement locally relevant l initiatives. 

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the country has been grappling with profound economic, social, and political challenges. This conflict has triggered the displacement of millions, inflicted extensive damage on infrastructure and the environment, and severely disrupted economic stability and social cohesion. The human cost has been devastating, with thousands losing their lives and countless others suffering injuries and trauma. Families and communities have been torn apart, and vast swathes of farmland and forests now pose lethal risks due to the presence of mines. 

Amid this crisis, civil society organizations have emerged as crucial actors, delivering essential aid to affected communities and advocating for their rights. They play a pivotal role in fostering resilience and driving sustainable recovery efforts amidst ongoing conflict. Through tireless advocacy, these groups have shed light on the war's profound impact, mobilized resources for those in need, and ensured the voices of the most affected are heard in decision-making forums. Their adaptability and responsiveness to evolving challenges underscore their vital role in shaping long-term recovery strategies. 

Despite numerous challenges and obstacles to accelerated development and recovery due to the protracted war, municipalities across Ukraine have been actively planning their vision for sustainable development and effective recovery. This requires the creation of strategic planning documents, policies, and projects and their implementation. However, support is needed to empower local authorities to effectively plan, implement, and monitor the decision-making process, particularly in the areas of recovery and strategic development. This involves adopting inclusive, participatory governance approaches, fostering an environment that enables civil society to act as key partners and change agents in local recovery efforts.  

Recognizing the potential of civic leaders to engage diverse community groups, including vulnerable populations and youth, is essential for developing people-centered recovery projects that address specific community needs. Furthermore, mobilizing partners and resources for their implementation is critical. Throughout 2023-2024, UNDP has been supporting the Ukrainian government, particularly the Ministry for Restoration, by guiding municipalities through an inclusive, transparent, and accountable recovery process. This has laid the foundation for comprehensive and inclusive reconstruction efforts, providing the necessary methodologies and practices for long-term recovery. 

UNDP “Civil Society and Youth Support Project” in coordination with “Transformational Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine” Project plans to support civic engagement, and empowering civic actors to actively participate in decision-making processes (such as strategic development, municipal planning, recovery), to foster cross-sectoral partnerships and oversight for people-centered recovery and development initiatives.  

Involvement of citizens in decision-making is essential for a democratic society, promoting social dialogue on important matters and cultivating trust in public institutions. When diverse groups have the opportunity to express their views and engage in discussions about significant decisions and policies that impact their lives, they are more likely to accept these decisions, thereby improving transparency and accountability of the local governance structures. 

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPETITION:  

The successful proposal should be focused on at least 10 territorial communities (out of 20 selected by the Ministry of Restoration, the list is provided below) throughout Ukraine where UNDP “Transformational Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine” project is supporting municipalities to lead inclusive, transparent, and accountable recovery and strategic development.  

The project supports local governments in formulating strategic documents and local recovery and development plans, including designing and implementing priority and recovery and development projects, mobilizing partners and resources, enhancing the crisis and recovery management capacities of local officials, and implementing anti-corruption measures to ensure integrity and transparency in local governance. This holistic approach fosters sustainable development and strengthens public trust in local institutions. 

Therefore, UNDP is looking for a partner CSO that would support empowerment of civil society actors to participate in the local recovery and strategic development processes, effectively engage with local authorities, donor organizations and other stakeholders around the design and implementation of the recovery and development projects and initiatives. The successful proposals should be focusing, but not limited to the following activities: 

• Strengthening the capacity of local governments to engage in evidence-based and inclusive recovery and strategic development. Emphasizing the importance of community participation and inclusive decision-making in the local strategic and recovery planning processes, development and implementation of local recovery and development projects and initiatives. 
• Strengthening capacity of civil society actors to participate in the local decision-making (including strategic development, municipal planning and recovery), providing valuable contributions, inputs and support to local authorities; engaging with local authorities and businesses in cross-sectoral partnerships and co-developing the priority people-centered recovery and development projects, their implementation, resource mobilization and monitoring. Enhancing the role of civic actors in oversight of the local authorities decision-making and policy development, empowering civic actors (active citizens, CSOs, community activists and leaders) to become leaders and drivers of change. 
• Encouraging collaboration among local stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and residents, to co-create solutions of local most urgent challenges, build consensus around recovery and development priorities and respective projects to ensure that they reflect the needs of various groups of population. 
• Promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the local decision-making process in general, including around local recovery and development planning. Supporting initiatives that prioritize open dialogue between local authorities and active citizens, data-driven decision-making, and mechanisms for public oversight to ensure that recovery efforts are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to community needs. 

Proposals should be designed to address two or more of these objectives and should clearly articulate how the proposed project will contribute to sustainable recovery and resilience in the context of ongoing war in Ukraine, while also ensuring meaningful citizen and youth participation in those processes. Successful proposals evidence-based, and grounded in a clear understanding of the needs and aspirations of communities impacted by the war.  

3. PARTICIPANTS OF THE COMPETITION:  

Non-profit organizations, in particular charitable organizations, public associations (including civil society organizations and unions) that are officially registered in Ukraine for no less than two years. The applying organization should have proven experience in conducting targeted capacity building for civil society and volunteer groups. 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 organizations 

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. Geographic location: 

UNDP will accept applications from all regions of Ukraine. The applying CSO or consortia must prove its capacity to operate in the proposed area of the intervention which will be assessed by the Grant Selection Committee. 

3.3. Project communities : 

Project activities are to be implemented in the following communities (project activities must cover at least 10 communities from at least four different oblasts): 

• Bereznyansk community, Chernihiv Oblast 
• Berezniaky community, Cherkasy Oblast 
• Verkhivtseve community, Dnipro Oblast  
• Malodanyliv community, Kharkiv Oblast 
• Sakhnovshchyna community, Kharkiv Oblast 
• Starovyriv community, Kharkiv Oblast 
• Obukhiv city community, Kyiv Oblast 
• Borodyanka community, Kyiv Oblast 
• Brovary community, Kyiv Oblast 
• Tairove community, Odesa Oblast 
• Teplodar community, Odesa Oblast 
• Fontanka community, Odesa Oblast 
• Lutensk community, Poltava Oblast 
• Romodan community, Poltava Oblast 
• Machukhiv community, Poltava Oblast 
• Bochechkiv community, Sumy Oblast 
• Ivanychiv settlement community, Volyn Oblast 
• Berestechko community, Volyn Oblast 
• Bratslav community, Vinnytsia Oblast 
• Natalynska сommunity, Kharkiv Oblast  

4. BUDGET AND ALLOWED EXPENSES: 

Eligible costs must: 

• be necessary for caring out project activities; 
• comply with the principles of sound financial management, in particular value for and cost-effectiveness; 
• be properly recorded, identifiable and 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 these 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. 

6. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF IMPLEMENTATION: 

It is envisioned that the budget within project proposal should be within the following range USD 60,000-80,000. The maximum timeframe for the project implementation is 12 months. 

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.). 

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. 

7. PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: 

Project proposals are submitted in Ukrainian and sent by e-mail to the addresses: grants.ua@undp.org and Viktoriia.demidova@undp.org specifying in the subject line, the title of the competition “Inclusive recovery planning". The deadline for submission is 17 November 2024. 

Contact persons: 

Viktoriia Demidova, Project Manager “Civil society and youth support”, UNDP: viktoriia.demidova@undp.org  

8. SELECTION PROCESS 

8.1. Assessment procedures 

UNDP specialists will review the submitted project proposals against the criteria for the assessment of proposals. At this stage, the Programme can request additional information from the applicants at its own discretion. 

To ensure full transparency and equity of 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 that is responsible for considering, selecting and recommending proposals for funding. The Grant Selection Committee may decide to request additional independent expert opinion during the selection process. In addition, the Partner Capacity Assessment Tool (PCAT) and/or Partner Self-Assessment Form will be utilized to assess the capacity of the applicants, their potential to implement the grants proposed, included screening on anti-money laundering issues and PSEA capacity. Pre-selected applicants will also be obliged to provide the project team with certificates confirming PSEA Training completion (the link will be provided by UNDP) for all applicants’ staff. 

8.2. Criteria for the assessment of proposals  

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

9. REPORTING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

9.1. 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. 

9.2. Reporting 

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

• Brief reports on demand occasionally requested by UNDP CSDR 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 financial report for total duration of an agreement.  

ANNEXES:

1. Annex 1
2. Annex 2