Grants for coal communities in Ukraine: UAH 3 to 5 million for just transition projects

East Europe Foundation has launched the second grant call for coal communities in Ukraine under the Regional Opportunities for Just Transition and Sustainable Development (ROOTS) programme. The initiative is implemented as part of the Power4Just Transition project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWE) and supported by GIZ.

The call aims to support initiatives that increase energy resilience, improve the situation of vulnerable groups, stimulate socio-economic diversification, and build local institutional capacity. Up to six projects will be awarded funding ranging from UAH 3,000,000 to UAH 5,000,000 each, with an implementation timeline of 6 to 12 months.

Applications must be submitted through the foundation’s Grant Portal no later than 28 October 2026, 18:00 Kyiv time. An online information session for prospective applicants is scheduled for 12 October at 11:00.

What is funded

Funding is directed toward just transition initiatives that directly address the transformation needs of coal-dependent areas. Supported areas include renewable energy, energy efficiency, modernising heat supply systems, and upgrading water supply and wastewater management infrastructure.

The grant also covers projects focused on vocational education and retraining, environmental protection, sustainable land use, local economic development, small and medium business support, and capacity building for local communities in the area of just transition.

Who can apply

Eligible entities include local self-government bodies, municipal utilities, municipal institutions and enterprises, and regional development agencies. Non-governmental civil society organisations holding official non-profit status under codes 0032, 0034, or 0036 are also invited to apply.

Private individuals, commercial businesses, central government authorities, political parties, and religious organisations are strictly excluded from participation. The call permits single applicants or consortia to submit joint applications if the proposed initiative is formally reflected in the local transition plans.

Target geography and key requirements

The competition is restricted to ten specific territories. These comprise nine territorial communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Bohdanivka, Verbky, Zelenodolsk, Mykolaivka, Pavlohrad, Petropavlivka, Ternivka, Troitske, and Shakhtarske) and Ladyzhyn territorial community in Vinnytsia Oblast.

A defining eligibility condition is that the proposed project must contribute directly to just transition objectives and already be included in the community’s approved Just Transformation Action Plan or Programme. Each applicant or group of applicants may submit only one project application under this call.

How to apply

All project proposals must be submitted through the East Europe Foundation Grant Portal before the deadline of 28 October 2026 at 18:00. Inquiries regarding the competition guidelines should be directed to the designated project email address with the competition title specified in the subject line.

Practical tip. Prior to applying, verify that your proposed project is officially listed in your target community’s Just Transformation Action Plan, as non-inclusion disqualifies the proposal regardless of its technical quality. Prospective applicants should also register for the 12 October information session to clarify technical guidelines directly with the ROOTS programme team.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: eef.org.ua.