The Swedish Institute invites organisations in Sweden, together with partners in Ukraine, to apply for funding for joint projects that support Ukraine’s reconstruction, reform agenda and EU integration. The call prioritises three focus areas: innovation ecosystems, transparency and accountability, and gender equality.
Programme overview
Programme: SI Ukraine Cooperation Programme 2
Managing authority: Swedish Institute (SI)
Eligible countries: Sweden and Ukraine (with limited participation from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland)
Application period: 5 December 2025 to 2 March 2026
Deadline: 2 March 2026 (CET)
Focus areas
Applicants should design projects within one of the areas below. In addition, each proposal should show how activities strengthen organisational capacity and support long-term partnerships.
1) Innovation ecosystems
This area supports entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth. Moreover, it can strengthen digital transformation and public sector innovation.
- Policy development for stronger innovation capacity
- Digital public innovation, services and GovTech
- Knowledge exchange on digitalisation and digital technologies
- Innovation procurement and financing models
- Incubators, science parks, accelerators and start-up hubs
- Social innovation and inclusive entrepreneurship
- Measures that increase women’s participation in innovation and entrepreneurship
2) Transparency, accountability and anti-corruption
This track promotes open governance and citizen participation. Therefore, projects should help actors improve integrity and public trust.
- Anti-corruption initiatives in the private sector
- Support for investigative journalism
- Actions that improve judicial transparency
- Digital tools for open governance
3) Gender equality
This area builds inclusive societies and expands equal opportunities. At the same time, proposals can address barriers that affect women and marginalised groups.
- Leadership networks and capacity-building
- Policy development for gender mainstreaming
- Initiatives against gender-based violence
- Inclusion of women and LGBTQ+ persons in decision-making
Types of grants
The call offers two grant types. First, applicants can prepare new partnerships or directions. Second, they can activate existing partnerships through cooperation projects.
Project preparation grants
Purpose: initiate cooperation and define a common direction around a challenge or opportunity in Ukraine
Typical activities: needs assessments, feasibility studies, study visits, mapping opportunities, preparing new funding applications
Grant size: SEK 100,000 to 200,000
Duration: 6 to 12 months
Cooperation projects
Purpose: strengthen capacity for actors in Ukraine who drive reconstruction and reforms for EU integration
Typical activities: organisational capacity building, training and competence development, staff mobility, research and study visits
Grant size: SEK 1,000,000 to 2,000,000
Duration: 12 to 24 months
Who can apply
The main applicant must be a legal entity based in Sweden. In most cases, at least one legal entity in Ukraine should join the formal partnership. However, project preparation grants can support partner-search activities, so a Ukrainian partner is not required at that stage.
Eligible partners can include:
- Higher education institutions and research institutes
- Business companies (participating on a non-profit basis)
- NGOs and foundations, including cultural and creative organisations
- Municipalities, regions and government agencies
- International organisations (through offices in Sweden or Ukraine)
In addition, a partnership may include up to two supporting partners from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania or Poland if they add clear value. Also, the consortium can include a maximum of six partners in total.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the Swedish Institute’s application portal and must include the required templates. Therefore, teams should review the official instructions early and plan time for internal approvals before submission.
Official programme page and call details are available here: https://si.se/en/apply/funding-grants/si-ukraine-cooperation-programme-2/.
Important dates
Call opens: 5 December 2025
Deadline: 2 March 2026 (CET)
More international funding opportunities for research, innovation and institutional cooperation are available in the grants section of the GetGrant service.