‘Small Grants – Big Changes’ is the core idea of a new project administered by ISAR Ednannia. On March 27, the Civil Society hosted a public presentation of this initiative, which provides financial assistance through small grants to support social services to families with children and children and/or early intervention services. The event gathered representatives of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, international organizations, CSOs, and other stakeholders.
The project aims to expand the social services market, establish transparent procurement procedures for social services on a competitive basis, and strengthen the capacity of social service providers in Ukraine. The project is being funded by the UK Government under the Social Protection for Inclusion, Resilience, Innovation, and Transformation (SPIRIT) project, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities, and UNICEF Ukraine, with administration by ISAR Ednannia.
“The goal of social services is to help an individual or family regain self-sufficiency, achieve economic independence, rebuild their lives, overcome pain, trauma, and loss, and find the strength to move forward, creating a sense of normalcy again. This is precisely the capacity we all, those who provide services and support, should help restore. If everyone works separately, we don’t see the bigger picture. But when we combine our efforts, we bring together the best we have. Civil society has developed a large number of professionals who know how to work effectively and may become drivers of change in communities, demonstrating a completely new quality of life,” said Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine, during the public presentation of the Project.
Rachel Kean, Head of Social Recovery and Inclusion at the British Embassy in Ukraine, emphasized the importance and consistency of the UK Government’s support in reforming the social services system and the relevance and uniqueness of Ukraine’s experience for her country. Jean Choi, Chief of the Child Protection Section of UNICEF, highlighted the importance of expanding Ukraine’s social services market and underscored the project’s crucial role in implementing reforms to ensure every child has the right to grow up in a family environment.
During the event, participants heard about the Project and the conditions for receiving financial assistance. Vitaliy Muzychenko, Director General of the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities, and Natalya Datchenko, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, provided detailed information about the opportunities available for civil society and charitable organizations. Kristina Vitko, Head of the Expert Group on Digital Systems at the Ministry of Social Policy, presented information about the Register of Social Service Providers and Recipients and explained the registration process in detail.
Video of the public Project presentation
Project’s presentation
Information from the Register of Social Service Providers
Details on applying for the competition for social service providers
Photos from the event
The project offers a unique opportunity for civil society and charitable organizations, both those already providing social services and those planning to start this activity, to receive financial support of up to $60,000. These grants can be used to deliver services and strengthen their capacity as social service providers.
The Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities has already selected the communities that will participate in the Project. A competition for social service providers will be announced soon.
The Project’s details are available on the Fund’s website.
