Within the framework of the USAID “Dreaming and Acting” program, IREX plans to support projects that aim to conduct empirical research on topics related to current youth issues with a practical applied component, which will be carried out by young researchers (up to 35 years old).

Young researchers with a partner non-governmental organization on whose behalf the application is submitted are invited to participate in the competition.

Young researchers must have the ability to organize or contract fieldwork and have a plan for using the research results to be implemented within the grant period.

The projects submitted for the competition should be aimed at researching current youth issues. A team of researchers can choose one of the following topics within the lots or propose their own topic.

• Lot 1. Economic opportunities for young people.
• Lot 2. Civic engagement of young people.
• Lot 3. Pluralism and social inclusion.
• Lot 4. Education.
• Lot 5. Innovative topics.

Research under this lot should address new, recently actualized topics that do not duplicate existing research. For example, practices and experiences of online gaming among children and youth, the use of artificial intelligence in work/education/other areas, the role of youth centers in communities, factors of migration and return of young people to their communities.

Target audience: Ukrainian youth aged 10-35. Researchers may choose a specific socio-demographic (e.g., youth in villages, youth with disabilities) or age (e.g., 10-17 years old, 16-25 years old) group as a research object depending on the purpose and research questions.

Expected duration of the projects: up to 12 months, including the phases of research and dissemination/implementation of its results.

Expected results of the projects:

• Research methodology and design developed;
• Research ethics committee is conducted (in some cases, it may be necessary to involve the Institutional Research Ethics Committee);
• Conducted fieldwork, such as at least 1000 phone interviews, or 700 face-to-face interviews, or 1200 online interviews, or 12 focus groups, and/or other equivalent substitutes (format and scope will be discussed before and during the implementation of the grant);
• Written research report (format and scope will be discussed before and during the implementation of the grant);
• Developed and implemented practical steps to use the results of the study;
• Presentation of the research results to representatives of stakeholder organizations that can potentially use these results in their work with youth.

Types of organizations that can apply:

Ukrainian non-governmental organizations, including:

• Civil society organizations (CSOs), namely charitable organizations and foundations, public associations (NGOs, public unions) that are registered as legal entities in Ukraine and have the status of a non-profit organization.
• Youth public organizations and organizations that implement youth initiatives (YPOs).
• Universities in partnership with a non-governmental organization.

Any organization listed above can submit an unlimited number of applications for funding in response to this CfP, but a maximum of one application per organization can be supported under this call.

Co-financing of project activities is encouraged but not required.

Minimum qualification requirements for the applicant:

1. The research team that will actually implement the grant must be young (under 35 years old). It is allowed to involve staff of older age groups, but in a ratio of no more than 1:4 (one older person to four younger ones), and not for a key role in the project (for example, cannot be a project manager).
2. The ability to conduct or contract the field phase of the study.

Detailed information about the competition and additional documentation is available here.

Any questions regarding this RFP should be sent in writing to grants.diemo@irex.org no later than January 24, 2025 with the subject line “Fieldwork”: Questions regarding RFP No. 2025-045. Answers to the questions will be sent to all participants on January 28, 2025.

The application must be submitted in electronic format by 23:59 (Kyiv time) on February 10, 2025 with the subject line: Question: Application under the RFP No. 2025-045 to the following address: grants.diemo@irex.org.

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The “Dreaming and Acting” program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IREX in partnership with Building Ukraine Together (BUR), Making Cents International (MCI), and the International Republican Institute (IRI).

This program supports youth innovation and entrepreneurship, promotes active youth participation in decision-making, and engages young people in problem-solving at the national and local levels. By creating an enabling environment and restoring access to formal and non-formal educational opportunities, the program empowers young people to realize their dreams, ideas, and actions for a democratic and European future for Ukraine.

Source: https://gurt.org.ua/