Three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, international organizations continue to dominate the funding and management of humanitarian aid in the country. Despite substantial financial resources and active participation by Ukrainian civil society organizations, most funds fail to reach local implementers directly. According to the Annual Ukraine Localization Survey 2024 by Refugees International and the East SOS Foundation and that was made possible by a grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, only 1% of humanitarian funding tracked by the United Nations goes directly to national or local Ukrainian organizations, even though they carry out the majority of on-the-ground efforts.
International organizations acknowledge that Ukrainian partners implement more than half of their activities, yet these local actors receive only a third of the funding. Frequently treated as subcontractors rather than primary grant recipients, Ukrainian organizations face significant barriers to growth and securing additional direct financing. Addressing these challenges is crucial to fostering more equitable and effective humanitarian aid distribution in Ukraine.
To improve the situation, it is essential to simplify procedures for direct funding of Ukrainian organizations, expand multi-year project support, and actively involve local organizations in developing localization strategies. These measures will ensure more effective and sustainable help to those in need.
The full survey is available in the ISAR Ednannia Analytical Library, an innovative online platform featuring analytical materials, research, reports, and guidelines on various fields related to the development of civil society in Ukraine.
