Social service providers from all communities of Ukraine will be able to apply for grants
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has extended the "Small Grants" program for social service providers and expanded it to all territorial communities of the country. At the same time, the maximum funding amount has been increased to 65 thousand US dollars per grant.
This was reported on October 15 by the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine.
The government's decision will allow expanding support for organizations that provide social services to children, families and other vulnerable categories of the population. Previously, the program operated only in certain regions of Ukraine.
In addition to expanding the geography, the government has increased the list of social services for which grant funding can be obtained.
Added to it were the reintegration of children and families who have returned after deportation, forced displacement or from temporarily occupied territories, as well as emergency crisis intervention.
A separate direction became support for foster parents and foster carers who care for children with disabilities. Funding for temporary respite care services was provided for them.
In addition, grants can be used to organize day care for children with disabilities regardless of the established disability subgroup.
Before the expansion, the "Small Grants" program operated in 10 regions and Kyiv. 130 territorial communities participated in the project.
According to the Ministry of Social Policy, since the beginning of the program's implementation, almost 57 thousand people have received social services within its framework.
"Small grants helped communities introduce new services and expand existing ones. Now it is important to spread this experience so that support is accessible to more families", - noted the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Denys Uliutin.
Who can receive grant funding
The program is aimed at organizations and enterprises engaged in providing social services. According to UNICEF, within the project, support is provided to public, charitable and municipal organizations, as well as small and medium-sized businesses working in the field of social services.
Funding is directed at creating new or expanding existing services in communities. In particular, it concerns the development of social support, care and specialized assistance for families with children.
Grants are not direct cash payments to citizens. They are received by selected social service providers for implementing relevant projects.
In the message of October 15, the Ministry of Social Policy did not specify the start date of the new application period, the timing of the competitive selection and the updated list of documents for participation.
The program is implemented with financial support from the UK government within the SPIRIT project in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities and UNICEF. It is administered by the public organization "Yednannia".
Based on materials from: Ministry of Social Policy, UNICEF in Ukraine