The New Democracy Fund has opened a new call for proposals aimed at Ukrainian civil society organisations working to strengthen democracy, human rights, transparency and inclusive governance at the national and regional levels. The programme is part of the Nordic Partnership Initiative and focuses on enhancing the resilience and capacity of civil society in Eastern Europe, with Ukraine as a key priority. It supports both established NGOs and emerging initiatives seeking to create sustainable democratic change, expand civic participation and reinforce mechanisms of public accountability.
What the Programme Supports
The fund finances analytical, advocacy and practical projects that contribute to systemic democratic development. Supported initiatives include:
- strengthening democratic institutions and improving government transparency and accountability;
- developing local approaches to anti-corruption, oversight of reconstruction spending and public monitoring;
- promoting rule of law, protection of human rights and civil liberties;
- enhancing pluralism, inclusion and participation of youth and vulnerable groups in decision-making processes;
- producing analytical outputs: research, policy briefs, monitoring reports on democracy, media environment, governance and EU integration;
- ensuring transparency of the recovery process and monitoring decisions of local authorities;
- strengthening digital security, organisational resilience and safe communication practices;
- building partnerships between Ukrainian organisations and institutions from Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland).
The fund also encourages projects addressing regional stability, countering disinformation, and strengthening democratic culture in communities affected by war.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include Ukrainian non-profit organisations such as:
- civil society organisations and grassroots initiatives;
- think tanks and independent research institutes;
- coalitions and thematic networks;
- media NGOs and organisations working on media freedom and literacy;
- human rights initiatives, including those focused on labour rights;
- trade unions, employer organisations and business associations with a public-interest mission.
Experience level is not a restriction, but applicants must demonstrate organisational capacity and the ability to achieve measurable results.
Key Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- relevance to democracy, rights and inclusive governance;
- a clear and realistic activity plan;
- strength of partnerships, especially international cooperation;
- organisational sustainability and ability to scale results;
- expected impact on local or national democratic processes;
- capacity to ensure safe digital and information practices.
Funding
The programme’s total indicative budget is 4,875,000 DKK (approximately €650,000). The fund expects to support 4–5 projects, though this number may vary depending on proposal budgets.
How to Apply for The New Democracy Fund
Applications must be submitted via the official online portal. Required materials typically include a project description, justification of relevance, budget, profiles of key team members and documentation confirming non-profit status.
Deadline
10 December 2025 (23:59 CET)
Looking for more funding opportunities for civil society organisations? Explore the full catalogue on GetGrant: https://getgrant.ua/grants-and-funding/