IREX: grants for civil society organisations to build an employment model for veterans, including veterans with disabilities, applications until 1 December

The Ukraine Veterans Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme, implemented by IREX with support from the U.S. Department of State, has launched a grant competition for local civil society organisations. The initiative aims to design and implement a practical, sustainable employment model for veterans, including veterans with disabilities, to foster inclusive labour market conditions and reduce barriers to employment.

Grant amounts depend on the approved project scope, with allowable administrative costs capped at 10%. Projects are designed for a 9-month implementation period, and applications are accepted until December 1.

What is funded

Grant funding supports activities directed at establishing an integrated employment ecosystem for veterans. Grantees must implement three interconnected components: piloting the workplace adaptation model, delivering career counseling services, and distributing practical guidelines across sectors. Applicants must be prepared to execute all mandated tasks in full.

The piloting component entails developing assessment tools and auditing workplace accessibility and HR policies across at least five selected private companies. The counseling stream requires partnering with at least two rehabilitation centres to deploy career advisors and collect participant feedback. Finally, organisations must execute a communication plan, disseminate findings, and host a multi-stakeholder final conference involving businesses, veterans, and government bodies.

Who can apply

Eligibility is restricted to local non-governmental organisations and charitable foundations registered in Ukraine operating at the local, community, or regional level. Participating entities must demonstrate verified professional experience in veteran employment, rehabilitation, or social service provision.

Practical tip. Secure written letters of intent or partnership arrangements with at least five private enterprises and two rehabilitation centres before submitting your application. Demonstrating direct, pre-established access to these host facilities validates project feasibility and immediately meets the donor’s core prerequisite criteria.

Conditions and requirements

Selected projects will be implemented over a duration of 9 months. Throughout the project life cycle, IREX specialists will maintain direct involvement in project launch, concept finalisation, activity monitoring, reporting verification, and technical consultations.

All financial and operational management must comply with United States Government regulations, including provisions outlined in 2 CFR 200 and 2 CFR 600. Activities involving military assistance or direct support to military units, command structures, or executive bodies of military management are strictly prohibited.

How to apply

Applicants must submit a detailed project package setting out clear methodologies for auditing employers, operating career counseling hubs, and engaging veteran communities. Budgets must be detailed according to project activities, ensuring that administrative costs do not exceed the 10% threshold.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the organisation’s capacity to deliver across all mandatory tasks and drive long-term systemic change in veteran employment. The donor does not specify an online application portal in the excerpt, but completed applications must be submitted ahead of the December 1 deadline.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: veteran-reintegration.in.ua.