Under pressure, but with the Impulse – this is how dozens of civil society organizations in the most dangerous regions of Ukraine are working today. 29 institutional and 16 small grantees were selected as part of the Impulse project, which the International Renaissance Foundation implements together with the East Europe Foundation with the support of Norway and Sweden. These are organizations that will work over the next few months to strengthen resilience, cooperation, and development in 12 regions of Ukraine that have been most affected by the war
The project focuses on supporting civil society, which, despite the war, has not lost its ability to generate ideas, act on the ground, and be a source of change. That is why Impulse combines two types of grants: institutional grants that strengthen the sustainability of organizations, and thus the sustainability of regions, and small grants aimed at implementing specific projects for communities.
Institutional grantees of the Impulse project will work on strengthening their organizational capacity for 26-28 months. During this period, they will focus on the long-term development of teams, management systems, financial stability, and community impact. Their initiatives cover a wide range of areas, from education, healthcare, digital rights to ecology, inclusion, European integration, and protection of the rights of women, youth, veterans, and the Roma community.
“We are making a long-term commitment, and together we are drawing up a three-year action plan. It is not about implementing individual initiatives, but about the institutional development of your organizations. Thanks to the support of Norway and Sweden, 29 organizations have been able to plan further than the daily reality allows. Especially in the context of a great war, when it is a great luxury to plan something a year in advance, let alone three,” emphasized Oleksandr Sushko, Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation.
In parallel, small grantee projects are being implemented. They focus on supporting communities in the most vulnerable regions – helping them recover, take part in local change, access justice, plan public spaces, fight corruption, and promote transparent governance. Small initiatives are designed for a period of up to 12 months and work with a wide range of beneficiaries – from IDPs and volunteer communities to educators and people with disabilities.
In June, coordination meetings were held in Kyiv with institutional and small grantees of the Impulse project. During the meetings, participants learned about the foundation’s policies, discussed project implementation rules, and presented their initiatives. As part of the training sessions, the teams received training on financial management, storytelling, auditing, SMM, and the use of artificial intelligence in work processes.
An important part of the meetings was not only the transfer of knowledge and procedures, but also live communication and mutual support. The participants and teams of the Foundations had the opportunity to meet, communicate, share their pains, challenges, and hopes, and feel that they have strong and expert like-minded people in the fight for change.
Voices from the field: what grantees say
Behind each of the initiatives implemented within the framework of the Impulse Projects is a specific team with its history, realities, and vision of change. And although the topics of their work vary – from ecology to youth policy, from territorial planning to democratic participation – they all face common challenges: limited resources, fatigue, emotional pressure, and uncertainty. But despite this, they continue to keep their focus and work for sustainability.
Impulse grantees agree that the main challenges in implementing projects within the project and working in general are limited resources, exhaustion, lack of faith in change among local residents, and the difficult conditions in which they have to operate, from security issues due to Russia’s war against Ukraine to emotional stress. At the same time, they are held together by their shared experience, internal cohesion, and a clear understanding of their goals. In their projects, they strive not only to accomplish specific tasks but also to become a pillar of support for the communities they work with.
One example of this approach is the League of Changes, a non-governmental organization that operates in the Sumy region. Here, young people have become perhaps the only source of action, initiative, and hope for communities living under constant threat. Through capacity building, the organization’s team strengthens and supports young people, helping them to participate in decision-making, interact with local authorities, and implement their ideas even in difficult circumstances. At the same time, the League of Changes itself is transforming to become an even more effective and high-quality partner for young people.
The organization stays in the region despite the risks because it believes in the power of the community and the right of young people to be agents of change. “Our actions should not be ‘just another project’ but real support: to adapt, to hear, to help. Even if the authorities are not always open, we will find a way to establish a dialogue. And most importantly, we have to keep going. Because even a small impetus can make a big difference if it is picked up in time,” says Denys Logvynenko, project manager and deputy head of the organization.
The team of the NOVA Energia organization works in the same direction of public participation, but in the field of resource justice, which has been discussed particularly loudly in Ukraine and the world recently. With its Impulse project, the organization supports communities affected by mining. The team works to help these communities defend their right to resource justice. Through the project, communities will receive tools of influence: from mapping water sources to analyzing compliance with subsoil users’ obligations. The organization seeks to develop a logic where the community is not just a mining area, but a full participant in the processes, making decisions, controlling resources, and protecting the interests of its residents.
“NOVA Energia helps to unite efforts and create a community capable of acting together, which is especially important in times of war when the risk of ignoring local needs increases. “Over the years of working with extractive communities, it has become clear that changes occur where there is mutual support and a strategic vision of the community, region, and country. That is why we are developing a community – a space where communities support each other, share decisions, experiences, and doubts. If a community has the tools of influence, support, and self-confidence, it is able to recover right now, in partnership with business, instead of waiting months for state funds. And this keeps our pace, even when it is difficult, there is a shortage of staff, and the enemy keeps us in suspense every day,” says Vitaliy Filenko, Chairman of the Board of NOVA Energia.
Another institutional initiative focuses on the environmental dimension. Ecosense is working in frontline Zaporizhzhia to lay the groundwork for the region’s future green recovery. The organization develops public analytics, implements practices of nature-based solutions, therapeutic gardening, and care for rivers and urban spaces. The team trains citizens and local authorities in the tools of democratic participation, even under fire, without losing focus on the environment.
“Despite the risks, we didn’t leave because we feel part of this land. Just like the dandelion, our symbol, grows through the asphalt. And we know that thanks to Impulse, we will be able to provide even more energy for green recovery, democracy and cohesion,” says Tetiana Zhavzharova, head of Ecosense.
Small grantees also set similar goals. For example, the Institute for Social Innovation Development works with the Mayakivska and Reniyska communities in Odesa Oblast to help them rethink their approaches to strategic planning. Instead of template documents, the team develops strategies based on functional analysis, a deep participatory approach, and consideration of the spatial, social, and environmental complexity of each territory.
This is not only working with data, but with trust and dignity. “We know that implementing ideas takes time and resources. But we see people who want change. And that’s what gives meaning to every step,” the team notes. Through dialogue, inclusion, and accurate diagnosis of problems, communities get a chance for sustainable recovery – even in border, isolated, or environmentally vulnerable regions.
Another example of local action is the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “United”, which works with the communities of Kherson and Chornobaivka. In the face of daily shelling, the team creates a space for a security dialogue, involving local authorities, IDPs, educators, police, and other stakeholders. “Security begins with dialogue” is the key idea of the initiative, which is based on the values of transparency, participation, dignity, and trust.
The project aims to build a sustainable model of cooperation between residents, authorities, and security services to coordinate actions in crises. “In the frontline region, trust and cooperation between all active organizations are the key to both rapid response and early recovery,” says Yuriy Antoshchuk, head of the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “United”
The Impulse is only growing
The International Renaissance Foundation and the East Europe Foundation have big long-term plans for the development of the Impulse project and are already working on its strategic continuation.
“All our grantees are different. But each of these organizations has already proved that it is a pillar of their community. And our task as a foundation is not just to support them, but to strengthen them. So that at a critical moment, these organizations can be the ones who hold, lead, and unite. And in the most difficult times, they should have not only a desire for change, but also everything they need to make it happen,” emphasizes Oleksiy Orlovsky, Director of the Democracy and Good Governance Program.
As part of the Impulse Project, the East Europe Foundation will focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of civil society organizations. In particular, the partners will conduct an independent study of the resilience of local civil society organizations and their participation in community recovery. The results will be presented in September 2025.
One hundred organizations that will receive small grants under the project will undergo an organizational capacity assessment (OCA). A Systems-based Audit (SBA) will be conducted for 29 organizations that will receive institutional grants. This will allow us to assess how effectively grantees use their resources, systems and procedures to achieve their goals and expected results.
Based on the surveys and analysis, the East Europe Foundation will develop a comprehensive training program that includes training sessions, consultations, and mentoring. In addition, over the next three years, the partners will create eight online courses on the educational platform “Zrozumilo!” on the most relevant topics for grantees.
Meanwhile, the International Renaissance Foundation is holding the second wave of the Small Grants Competition. The team has already shared the most common mistakes in the previous wave’s applications, along with tips on how to avoid them and make your application stronger. Read the article on our website or watch the video by Democracy and Good Governance Program Manager Tetiana Kukharenko.
In the near future, the Renaissance Foundation plans to hold new meetings, conferences, networking events and other activities that will help organizations grow, develop, and change the country. Follow the updates so that you don’t miss anything important.
