140 applications — 16 winners. Our shared journey has just begun.

We conducted a coordination meeting with the winners of the first wave of the small grants competition under the Impulse project, implemented in partnership with the International Renaissance Foundation.

We invited the organizations’ teams to the capital city to connect, discuss essential rules and expectations for project implementation, and take part in the first training phase of the project.

The two days were rich with activities and engagement. Grantees explored a systematic approach to monitoring and evaluation, financial reporting practices, and strategies for avoiding common audit pitfalls. They learned how to communicate complex topics clearly, build awareness on social media, and incorporate artificial intelligence into day-to-day communication. Teams exchanged expertise, ideas, and perspectives — seeking common ground and shared vision. They listened, reflected, and left feeling inspired and energized.

These small grants are more than financial support. They are designed to empower ideas that help communities affected by war rebuild with transparency, fairness, and sustainability. Today, we witness the strength of these initiatives — their momentum, spirit, and capacity to drive change.

Victor Liakh, President of East Europe Foundation, noted:

“If you wish to go fast, walk alone. If you wish to go far, walk with your friends. We chose to walk with you. This meeting marks the beginning of our journey together. We believe in the power of partnership, the imagination that sparks transformation, and in each of your efforts to shape the future Ukraine truly deserves.”

This meeting is only the beginning. Joint activities, training, and development lie ahead. We’re honored to walk this path together with your organizations — eager to make meaningful change.

A reminder: the small grants competition under the Impulse project is still underway. If you missed the first wave, there’s still time to apply. The application deadline is August 26, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Apply here: irf.ua/contest/small-grants-norad-sida.

The Impulse Project is carried out by East Europe Foundation and the International Renaissance Foundation, with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) in partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).