The Czech humanitarian organization "Person in Need", with financial support from Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, announces a competition MICROGRANTS FOR MICRO- AND SMALL ENTERPRISES EMPLOYING VULNERABLE PERSONS TO ENSURE CRITICAL ADAPTATION AND INCREASE INCLUSION UP TO 5,000 US DOLLARS (payments will be made in hryvnia equivalent at the official exchange rate of the NBU, as of the first day of the month in which the grant agreement is signed).
*The size of the grant will depend on the submitted proposal and budget.
PROJECT GEOGRAPHY:
- Kharkiv region (Berestyn, Kharkiv, Lozov, Bogodukhov, Chuhuyiv districts).
WHO CAN RECEIVE A GRANT:
Local and relocated micro and small enterprises (individual entrepreneurs and legal entities) that employ socially vulnerable workers.
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE PROJECT:
- valid state registration of business activity;
- micro- and small enterprises (individual entrepreneurs and legal entities) that employ socially vulnerable workers (people with disabilities, internally displaced persons, single mothers/fathers/guardians, people of pre-retirement age (50+) or older (60+), representatives of ethnic minorities, veterans);
- mandatory co-financing of at least 20% of the grant amount.
ELIGIBLE COSTS TO BE COVERED BY GRANT FUNDING:
- purchase or adaptation of specialized equipment for socially vulnerable workers (for example: purchase of manually operated sewing machines for people with physical disabilities; purchase of computers with adapted software for people with visual impairments; furnishing workplaces with adjustable tables and ergonomic chairs; modernization of tools and equipment to reduce physical strain on workers, etc.);
- modifying premises to create a safe, inclusive and dignified workplace (for example: installing ramps and handrails for people with limited mobility; installing accessible bathrooms; improving lighting and ventilation; creating relaxation areas; adapting workplaces for workers with special needs, etc.);
- providing technical or vocational training for socially vulnerable workers and staff (for example: conducting advanced training courses, training on how to use new equipment, etc.);
- other expenses aimed at adapting/improving the working environment of socially vulnerable workers (purchase of personal protective equipment; improvement of lighting and heating of work areas; arrangement of rest rooms; installation of air conditioners or air purification systems; purchase of comfortable furniture for comfortable work, etc.).
UNACCEPTABLE COSTS THAT CANNOT BE COVERED BY GRANT FUNDING:
- purchase of land plots, real estate;
- alcohol and tobacco products;
- debt repayment;
- expenses for foreign trips;
- payment of taxes;
- agricultural goods (seeds, livestock, food, etc.);
- automobiles - self-propelled vehicles with passenger capacity (trucks, cars and buses, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles with motors, etc.);
- pharmaceuticals;
- fertilizers and pesticides;
- military equipment and items that may ultimately end up in the hands of the military;
- surveillance equipment;
- equipment and services for performing abortions;
- luxury items;
- equipment for gambling and any other gambling establishments;
- equipment for influencing weather changes.
THE PROJECT PROVIDES:
Advocacy and information campaigns, the opportunity to attend roundtables and trainings aimed at discussing inclusion issues.
EVALUATION AND DETERMINATION OF GRANT COMPETITION WINNERS:
Applications will be evaluated in two rounds. The first round is an assessment of the application for compliance with the project conditions and enterprise categories, taking into account priorities. Pre-selected candidates will be invited to the second round, during which employees of the Czech humanitarian organization "People in Need" will interview the candidates. The final decision on granting the grant will be made by a specially created selection committee.
У first In this round, the adequacy of the information provided will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- availability of a completed application for participation;
- state registration of business activities;
- having business experience;
- correspondence of the place of business (relocated and local business);
- confirmation of employment of socially vulnerable workers (people with disabilities; internally displaced persons; single mothers/fathers/guardians; people of pre-retirement age (50+) or older (60+); representatives of ethnic minorities; veterans);
- the funding request is consistent with the project objectives (purchase or adaptation of specialized equipment for vulnerable workers; modification of premises to create a safe, inclusive and dignified workspace; provision of technical or vocational training for vulnerable workers and staff);
- confirmed understanding of the project time limit (6 months);
- appropriate scope of business activity;
- open cooperation and truthfulness of the information provided;
- lack of prior receipt of grant assistance from the Czech humanitarian organization "People in Need".
У to the second In the second round, participants will be scored according to the following criteria:
- existing employment of socially vulnerable workers, including from designated groups;
- relevance and feasibility of the business idea and a detailed plan for using the grant, in accordance with the project objectives;
- analysis of the financial plan and cash flow (assessment of the applicant's financial management capacity, the realism of costs, the appropriateness of the business/business idea for the purchase of assets, as well as the correctness of calculations);
- the presence of an assessment by the business of possible risks (assessment of the applicant's analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats);
- strategy, methodology and quality of the proposed advertising activity and marketing;
- the presence of a positive impact on the community (assessment of how the business's activities will contribute to the development of the local community);
- confirmed intention to make your own financial contribution (in the amount of at least 20% of the grant amount);
- loss of tangible assets by business due to military actions;
- business focused on social services (care for the elderly, support for people with disabilities, educational programs, psychological assistance, services for children and youth, as well as other initiatives that contribute to improving the quality of life and social well-being of the population, others);
- the potential of the proposed adaptations to have a lasting impact on inclusion and productivity beyond the grant implementation period;
- Priority will be given to enterprises that have not received grant support from other organizations or the state in the last year.
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION YOU MUST:
- read the RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMPLETING A GRANT APPLICATION;
- fill GRANT APPLICATION;
- download and complete the FINANCIAL PLAN, which must be attached to the grant application;
- get acquainted with RECOMMENDATIONS on developing a business model, planning income and expenses, managing finances, market analysis, marketing, risk management, and obtaining grant support.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING GRANT APPLICATIONS IS 12/21/2025.
*It is important to fill out all components of the application clearly and completely, as this will directly affect the final evaluation result!
Please note that only one application can be submitted from one household to participate in the microgrant competition.
Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be evaluated. The Selection Committee may contact applicants that do not meet the technical requirements for information/clarification, if the errors made by them, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, are minor and will not prevent the implementation of a potentially high-quality project. If, after such a request, the applicant meets all the requirements of the technical selection, such an application will be shortlisted for evaluation by experts.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE RECEIVING A GRANT OR OTHER SUPPORT WITHIN THIS PROJECT.
Feedback for questions and feedback:
- e-mail: [email protected]
- hotline: 0 800 210 174
- Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp: 099 767 37 06 (Monday to Thursday from 09:00 -17:00,
Friday from 09:00 to 16:00)