Towards Life: Country in Action. Up to UAH 2.5 million for national recovery solutions

The Askold and Dir Fund, administered by ISAR Ednannia as part of the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity funded by Norway and Sweden, has announced the third wave of the grant competition titled ‘Towards Life: Country in Action’. The call targets experienced national-level civil society organisations to develop and test systemic solutions for Ukraine’s sustainable recovery.

The initiative supports long-term models, policies, services, and tools across essential public sectors that public authorities and local communities can continue using after project completion. The maximum grant amount is UAH 2,500,000 per project, with approximately 15 grants expected to be awarded.

Applications are received across two sub-waves, with deadlines set for 19 October 2026 at 17:00 and 1 December 2026 at 17:00. Projects funded under the first sub-wave may run for up to 11 months, while second-wave projects may last up to 9 months, with all activities concluding by 30 November 2027.

What is funded

The competition funds initiatives addressing key public systems, including education, social protection, healthcare, public safety, energy resilience, environmental protection, and the information space. Standalone fact-checking is excluded as a priority, while projects working at the intersection of multiple systems and offering comprehensive cross-sectoral approaches receive preference.

Eligible activities encompass developing, piloting, and documenting scalable solutions, testing models across multiple regions, creating open methodologies, conducting research, and executing advocacy efforts. Funding can also cover mentorship and training for regional and local CSOs, establishing cross-sectoral coalitions, and allocating up to 15% of the total budget toward the applicant’s internal organisational development.

Who can apply

Applicants must be non-governmental organisations officially registered under Ukrainian legislation governing public associations, charitable organisations, or associations of local self-government bodies. Eligible entities must hold non-profit status codes 0032, 0036, 0038, or 0039 and demonstrate an annual budget of at least UAH 5,000,000 in at least one year between 2023 and 2025.

Eligible organisations must have at least three years of experience operating at the national level within the selected sector, confirmed by at least three implemented projects over the past three years. Applicants must also possess proven capacity for mentorship, experience collaborating with national or regional government authorities, and clear legal standing without sanctions or financial crime proceedings.

Conditions and requirements

The maximum funding available per grant is UAH 2,500,000, and an organisation may submit multiple project applications, although only one can be selected for funding. All project activities must take place within Ukraine, strictly excluding temporarily occupied territories.

Implementation timelines depend on the chosen submission window. First-wave projects start no earlier than 15 December 2026 and last up to 11 months, whereas second-wave projects start no earlier than 1 March 2027 and run for up to 9 months. Applications not approved in the first round can be revised and resubmitted for the second round.

Practical tip. If your organisation aims to submit in the first round, prepare your documentation early to take advantage of the longer 11-month project timeframe, and consider allocating the allowable 15% budget margin for internal capacity building and team burnout prevention.

How to apply

Applications must be completed and submitted electronically via the user account system on the official website of ISAR Ednannia. Organisations without an account must complete registration on the platform before initiating the application process.

Applicants must submit before the designated deadlines: 19 October 2026 at 17:00 for the first sub-wave, or 1 December 2026 at 17:00 for the second sub-wave. Decision announcements are planned by the end of November 2026 for the first wave and by the end of February 2027 for the second wave.

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