CFPs: Strengthening Youth Engagement in Public Service and Promoting Integrity in Higher Education in Ukraine

Types of Lots

• Lot 1:
  • CSO project proposals submitted under Lot 1 should aim to support the pilot of the newly adopted methodological recommendations on academic integrity and transparency in higher education institutions. A maximum of 10 universities will be selected by UNDP, the NACP, and the selected CSO partner to participate in the pilot initiative. Proposals submitted under this Lot should be designed to achieve the following key objectives:
    • Support the implementation of methodological recommendations: assist selected universities in applying the NAPC’s methodological recommendations on promoting academic integrity. This includes providing hands-on guidance and technical support to adapt the recommendations to each university’s context. Support may include training sessions, development of practical tools, and tailored consultations for university communities.
    • Monitor the implementation process and provide feedback for ongoing improvement: closely monitor the implementation process in target universities and collect insights, feedback, and lessons learned to improve university practices and the NACP’s methodology.
    • Develop institutional capacity of the selected universities: supporting the integration of integrity principles into institutional policies, curricula, and administrative practices. Encouraging the development or improvement of internal procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to academic misconduct. A special focus should be placed on building sustainable mechanisms that remain in place beyond the duration of the pilot.
    • Communication support of pilot implementation: develop and implement a communication strategy to raise awareness of methodological recommendations, integrity and transparency culture among university communities and other target audiences as well as promoting the results of the universities in improving the integrity practicies on the institurional level. Communication activities should include both internal (within the university) and external outreach to foster broader engagement and understanding.
• Lot 2:
  • The successful proposal will involve collaboration with 15 local self-governments throughout Ukraine, specifically in communities where youth-related initiatives are not currently supported by other international technical assistance projects. Local governments and communities will be selected by NAUCS, Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, UNDP and a selected partner on a competitive basis. Each local self-government will participate in the educational sessions provided by NAUCS and UNDP in Ukraine to equip HR departments and/or other related departments with tools and knowledge needed to attract, engage, and mentor young people interested in pursuing careers in public service.Successful proposals should focus on, but not be limited to, the following areas:
    • Supporting Local Self-governments: assisting local self-government bodies in implementing the internship programme using the guide developed by UNDP and the NAUCS methodology, along with lessons learned from the pilot programme (will be shared with selected CSO). Assist self-local governments in preparing and executing all stages of youth internship programmes – preparation, execution and evaluation. This includes providing support during the NAUCS-led training for selected local self-government representatives, assisting with preparation of internal regulations on internships, internship design, support with recruitment and interviews, support with preparation of internship plan, internship execution, collection of feedback from local-self-governments and young people about the program. In addition, providing mentoring support to the local government teams that will be responsible for internships.
    • Communication support of the programme: develop and execute communication plan (in line with communication messages of NAUCS, MYS and UNDP) to promote the programme among young people and other stakeholders. This includes providing support to local governments with announcements to recruit young people, communication updates of the programme for social media, and capturing and presenting achievements and lessons learned.
    • Support the exchange of experience between local governments: create possibilities for local governments who took part in the programme to share their successes and lessons learned with one another, including if possible engaging representatives of local governments who participated in the programme in 2024.
    • Enhance the institutional capacity of local governments: providing mentoring and (online) training to strengthen their ability to engage with young women and men. Develop practical guidance and recommendations for effective youth engagement strategies, and support the institutionalization of youth participation in the internal processes of self-government bodies.
    • Promoting youth participation: empowering young women and men to contribute to democratic development and social cohesion through increasing their knowledge and understanding of how local governments work and how they can get involved in decision-making processes.

Funding Information

• It is envisioned that the budget within the project proposal should be no more than:
  • Lot 1 – up to USD 50,000
  • Lot 2 – up to USD 50,000
• The maximum duration for projects under both Lot 1 and Lot 2 is 8 months.

Geographic Location

• UNDP will accept applications from all regions of Ukraine operating on the areas under control of the Government 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.

Eligible Costs

• 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).

Ineligible Costs

• 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Non-profit organizations, in particular charitable organizations, public associations (including civil society organizations and unions) that are officially registered in Ukraine. Under the contest, grants will not be provided to profit organizations, political parties, state authorities, local governments, religious communities and private (physical) individuals and entrepreneurs.
• For Lot 1:
  • Applicants must be non-profit organizations officially registered in Ukraine for at least five years and have a minimum of two years of experience in implementing projects at the national level. The applying organization should have demonstrated expertise in addressing issues related to integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption. A proven track record of designing and implementing national-level initiatives, preferably in cooperation with government institutions or within the context of public sector reform is required.
• For Lot 2:
  • The applying organization should have demonstrated experience working with youth across various regions of Ukraine, along with at least three years of successful implementation of projects focused on strengthening the capacities of local self-governments, promoting civic engagement, and empowering young people. Proven experience in working with municipalities throughout Ukraine is required.

For more information, visit UNDP.