East Europe Foundation announces a Grants Call for projects promoting the just transition of coal communities within the framework of the Regional Opportunities for Just Transition and Sustainability (ROOTS). 

The aim of the Grants Competition is to support projects that increase energy sustainability, improve the situation of vulnerable populations, develop socio-economic diversification, and strengthen institutional capacity. 

A prerequisite for applicants is to have a project that contributes to the goals of a just transition and is included in the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP). 

In their project proposals, applicants must justify what specific outcome or indicator will be achieved through the implementation of the project and explain how they will ensure its achievement.   

Within the framework of the grant competition, it is planned to support initiatives that: 

• Develop renewable energy and energy resilience

Projects aimed at implementing solutions in the field of renewable energy (solar, bioenergy, etc.), improving the energy efficiency of public and residential buildings, reducing energy poverty, and strengthening the energy sustainability of territorial communities in regions affected by coal mining activities 

• Promote vocational education and retraining 

Projects aimed at developing skills, retraining the workforce, and increasing employment rates, in particular, among coal industry workers and other vulnerable groups. Support is provided to projects in the field of informal education, vocational training, career counseling, and the development of new skills relevant to local labor markets 

• Support environmental protection and sustainable land use 

Projects aimed at reducing the negative environmental impact of the coal industry, restoring degraded areas, reclaiming land, conserving biodiversity, and introducing environmentally sustainable approaches to land use and natural resource management 

• Promote local economic development and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)  

Projects that promote economic diversification of territorial communities, develop local entrepreneurship, create new jobs, and support innovative business initiatives. Particular focus is on SMEs, social entrepreneurship and initiatives that generate alternative sources of income in territorial communities affected by coal mining activities 

• Upgrade heating, water supply and sanitation

Projects aimed at improving access to safe drinking water, upgrading water supply and wastewater disposal systems, enhancing the quality of sanitation services, and promoting environmentally sound water management in territorial communities undergoing transformation 

• Strengthen the capacity building for local actors in the field of just transition

Projects aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of local authorities to plan and implement Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP). In particular, this includes projects focused on strategic planning, partnership development, investment attraction and preparation for accessing funding from additional sources 

• Upgrade heating systems  

Projects aimed at developing or updating heating schemes, upgrading boiler houses and heating networks, reducing heat losses, introducing metering and automated control systems (IHP, weather compensation), and improving service reliability. Solutions that enable a transition to cleaner and more cost-effective heat sources, as well as measures that reduce energy poverty and enhance energy sustainability of communities, are encouraged 

Project applications may be submitted by:  

• Local government bodies 
• Municipal institutions, enterprises, and organizations 
• Local development agencies 
• Civil society organizations (CSOs), such as charitable organizations (non-profit associations, institutions, foundations, etc.) and public associations (public organizations and public unions) registered as legal entities in Ukraine with non-profit status (non-profit codes: 0032, 0034, 0036).  

Applications from individuals, businesses, government agencies, political parties and religious organizations will not be considered. 

Please note: 

• Two or more applicants may submit a joint project application, provided that the implementation of such a joint project is envisaged in the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP). The application must clearly describe the role and responsibilities of each applicant, including planned activities and contributions to the project, and coordination and decision-making mechanisms; 
• Applicants may submit separate project applications covering different activities of a single integrated project included in the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP). Such applications are accepted provided that they are independent, have clearly defined objectives, results, budgets and implementation plans, and that the activities do not overlap between applications; 
• One applicant/group of applicants may submit only one application within this Competition. 

Terms of support 

The Grants Competition provides support to 8–9 organizations in the amount of UAH 3,000,000 to 5,000,000, with project durations of 6–10 months.   

The competition covers the following communities: 

• Lviv region (Sheptytskyi, Radekhiv, Sokal, Dobrotvir, Belz, Velyki Mosty, and Lopatyn communities); 
• Volyn region (Novovolynsk, Lytovezh, and Poromiv communities).

A total of up to 15 projects will be supported within ROOTS, with a second Grants Competition for communities in Dnipropetrovsk region and Ladyzhyn (Vinnytsia region) planned for the end of 2026. 

How to apply 

Applications can only be submitted through the Grant Portal. The deadline for submission is March 9, 2026, 6:00 p.m. 

You can also send your questions to [email protected]. Please indicate the name of the Competition in the subject line: “Grants to Support Coal Communities (Phase I)“. 

To apply for the Competition, please read the full information in the announcement. 

Regional Opportunities for Just Transition and Sustainability Grant Program (ROOTS) implemented by East Europe Foundation with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and support from Deutsche Gesellschaft for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH