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

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). 

Within the Grants Competition ROOTS 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.   

Project applications may be submitted by:  

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

The competition covers Lviv region and Volyn region communities. 

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

Please note: One applicant/group of applicants may submit only one application within this Competition. 

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

• Develop renewable energy and energy resilience 
• Promote vocational education and retraining  
• Support environmental protection and sustainable land use  
• Promote local economic development and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)   
• Upgrade heating, water supply and sanitation 
• Strengthen the capacity building for local actors in the field of just transition in the field of just transition 
• Upgrade heating systems   

Applications can only be submitted through the Grant Portal. To apply for the Competition, please read the full information in the announcement.  

The deadline for submission is March 9, 2026, 6:00 p.m. 

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. 

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