Ukrainian Women’s Fund (UWF): Grants for Women’s Rights, Gender Equality and Feminist Organizations (Ukraine)

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund (UWF) is a nonprofit grant-making organization established in 2000 to support women’s rights, gender equality and the development of the women’s movement in Ukraine. The Fund provides financial assistance, institutional support and capacity-building opportunities to women’s rights organizations, feminist groups, activists and community networks. Its programmes address challenges affecting women and girls, including gender-based violence, economic inequality, displacement, conflict-related vulnerabilities and limited participation in decision-making.

History and Background

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund was established in 2000 with the aim of strengthening women’s organizations and promoting gender equality in Ukraine. Over the years, it has developed grant-making programmes and partnerships supporting women’s rights advocates, civil society organizations and feminist networks.

The organization has played an important role in supporting local women’s organizations, strengthening their institutional capacity and promoting women’s participation in public life. Its work has increasingly responded to the humanitarian, social and economic challenges resulting from the war in Ukraine.

Mission and Objectives

UWF works to advance women’s rights, strengthen gender equality and support the development of a strong and influential women’s movement in Ukraine.

Its mission is grounded in feminist values, including equal opportunities, freedom of choice, human dignity, women’s access to resources and the prevention of discrimination.

Its key objectives include:

• Protecting the rights of women and girls and promoting gender equality.

• Strengthening women’s rights and feminist organizations.

• Supporting women-led civil society initiatives and community networks.

• Improving women’s economic opportunities and financial independence.

• Preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

• Increasing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.

• Supporting women and girls affected by war, displacement and humanitarian crises.

• Promoting gender-responsive policies and inclusive recovery initiatives.

Governance and Funding Approach

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund operates as a nonprofit grant-making organization. It works with international donors, development agencies, civil society partners and local organizations to implement programmes and distribute financial support.

Its funding model combines competitive grant opportunities with organizational development, advocacy support, networking and technical assistance. Grant competitions are generally announced for specific themes, target groups, geographic areas and implementation periods rather than through one permanent application scheme.

Major Funding Programmes and Initiatives

UWF implements grant-making and development programmes that help women’s organizations respond to social challenges, strengthen their operations and influence policies affecting women and girls. Its activities include rapid-response grants, long-term funding, regional initiatives and international donor partnerships.

1. Women’s Voice and Leadership – Ukraine

The Women’s Voice and Leadership – Ukraine project is a five-year initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada. It aims to strengthen women’s rights organizations, activists and collaborative platforms across Ukraine.

The programme supports:

• Organizational development and institutional sustainability.

• Advocacy and initiatives promoting gender equality.

• Development of women’s networks, coalitions and alliances.

• Protection of the rights of women and girls.

• Cooperation between local and internally displaced women’s organizations.

Through competitive grants, the initiative helps women’s organizations strengthen their capacity and contribute to gender-sensitive policy development.

2. Regional Action Plans 1325 Implementation Grants

UWF has announced a grant competition supporting women’s and feminist organizations that contribute to implementing regional action plans under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The programme aims to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding, security planning, decision-making and responses to conflict-related challenges.

Funding details:

• Maximum grant amount: €15,000 (in the Ukrainian hryvnia equivalent).

• Project duration: 6–8 months.

• Number of expected awards: Up to 12.

• Application deadline: 16 November 2026, 23:59.

Geographic eligibility: Registered women’s organizations operating in Kyiv and Kyiv region, Kirovohrad, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zakarpattia and Lviv regions.

Applicants must have at least two years of organizational experience and a statutory focus on protecting women’s rights and/or promoting gender equality. Organizations affiliated with government institutions or political parties are excluded.

Applications must be submitted through the competition page.

3. SHE RISES: Empowering Ukrainian Women in Wartime and Beyond

SHE RISES is among UWF’s projects focused on strengthening women’s opportunities and participation during the ongoing war and in the country’s recovery.

The initiative contributes to supporting women through empowerment, organizational development and opportunities for greater participation in social and economic life.

4. Women, Peace and Security: Acting Together

This initiative focuses on advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Ukraine. It promotes women’s participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, security-related decision-making and recovery processes.

It also supports cooperation between women’s organizations and other stakeholders working to strengthen gender-responsive approaches to peace and security.

5. Responding to Gender-Based and War-Related Sexual Violence

UWF has supported initiatives aimed at strengthening responses to sexual violence related to the war in Ukraine.

Its previous grant competitions supported pilot projects addressing the needs of survivors and improving the capacity of organizations to provide appropriate assistance. These initiatives form part of wider efforts to improve protection, access to support services and accountability.

6. Economic Opportunities for Women Affected by War

UWF has implemented initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs affected by the war, including opportunities to develop businesses and create new employment.

One programme, implemented with support from UN Women and the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), focused on creating employment opportunities for women entrepreneurs in selected Ukrainian regions.

7. Gender-Inclusive Recovery and Research

The Fund also supports analytical research and initiatives that integrate gender equality into Ukraine’s recovery and reform processes.

Its work includes promoting gender-responsive recovery policies, strengthening feminist research and supporting evidence-based advocacy by women’s organizations.

Funding Priorities

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund supports initiatives addressing the following areas:

• Women’s rights and gender equality.

• Feminist movement development and organizational strengthening.

• Prevention of gender-based violence.

• Support for women affected by war and displacement.

• Women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.

• Women, Peace and Security agenda implementation.

• Leadership development and women’s participation in decision-making.

• Humanitarian assistance for vulnerable women and girls.

• Gender-responsive recovery and reconstruction.

• Research, advocacy and policy development.

Who Can Apply for Funding?

Eligibility depends on the individual grant competition. Potential applicants across UWF programmes include:

• Registered women’s rights organizations in Ukraine.

• Feminist civil society organizations.

• Women-led and community-based organizations.

• Organizations working to advance gender equality.

• Women’s networks, coalitions and collaborative platforms.

• Organizations supporting internally displaced women and girls.

• Organizations addressing gender-based violence and women’s protection.

• Organizations promoting women’s economic empowerment and leadership.

Some competitions require applicants to have a minimum period of organizational experience and a specific statutory focus on women’s rights or gender equality.

Important: Most of UWF’s direct grant competitions are designed for eligible organizations operating in Ukraine. International NGOs and organizations registered outside Ukraine should not assume they can apply directly, although they may explore partnership and collaboration opportunities with eligible Ukrainian organizations.

International Donors and Funding Partnerships

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund works with international development agencies and philanthropic partners to support women’s rights and gender equality in Ukraine.

Its funding partnerships have included:

• Global Affairs Canada: Supports the Women’s Voice and Leadership – Ukraine project.

• UN Women: Has supported initiatives focused on women’s economic opportunities and empowerment.

• Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF): Supports programmes addressing women’s participation, protection and empowerment in crisis and conflict settings.

These partnerships enable UWF to distribute grants, strengthen local organizations and support initiatives addressing the needs of women and girls affected by conflict and inequality.

Geographic Focus

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund primarily supports organizations and initiatives in Ukraine. Its programmes have covered national and regional activities, including work with local women’s organizations, displaced communities and feminist networks.

Some competitions target specific Ukrainian regions, while others invite eligible organizations from across the country. Applicants should check the geographic requirements of each call before applying.

Impact and Achievements

Since its establishment, UWF has contributed to the development of the women’s rights movement and strengthened civil society organizations working on gender equality in Ukraine.

Its work includes:

• Providing grants to women’s and feminist organizations.

• Supporting women’s leadership and participation in public decision-making.

• Strengthening regional coalitions working on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

• Supporting organizations responding to humanitarian needs caused by the war.

• Promoting women’s entrepreneurship and economic independence.

• Encouraging research and advocacy to improve gender-sensitive policies.

The Fund also operates a rapid-response grant mechanism that converts donations into support for women’s and feminist organizations addressing urgent needs of women and girls. According to its donation page, it received UAH 2,374,124.40 in donations between 24 February 2022 and 31 August 2026.

Conclusion

The Ukrainian Women’s Fund is an important grant-making organization supporting women’s rights, gender equality and feminist civil society development in Ukraine. Through its competitive grants, international partnerships, advocacy initiatives and organizational development programmes, it provides opportunities for women’s organizations to address challenges related to conflict, displacement, economic inequality and limited participation in decision-making.

Its funding programmes are particularly relevant to Ukrainian women’s rights organizations, feminist groups, community networks and organizations working on women’s empowerment, peacebuilding and gender-responsive recovery.