Ten ATCs Will Receive UAH 1.4 Million Each for the Development of Community-Building Centers – Second Wave of the Competition Backed by Cedos and UMAEF

Cedos and Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) are pleased to announce the second wave of the competition for ATCs to create or renovate community centers, as well as develop the program activities of such centers.

Community-building centers are physical spaces that serve as venues for social gatherings, educational programs, community development initiatives, and collaborative efforts. These facilities may be standalone premises or part of other public facilities, such as administrative centers, hubs, libraries, cultural centers, etc.

The second wave of the competition is being held as part of the Community reBuilding project, which was awarded the New European Bauhaus Prize in 2024 in a contest involving projects from the European Union and the Western Balkans.

The second wave grant is UAH 1.4 million and includes two components:

1) physical creation (outfitting) or renovation of community centers and

2) programmatic and substantive filling of the centers.

The winning communities will also receive consulting support from experts in the fields of architecture, culture, communications, and social interaction. The project entails the concept creation, the implementation of a step-by-step physical and programmatic upgrade plan, and budgeting.

The first wave of the project has already commenced operations at nine community centers, including:

• Bez Obmezhen (No Limits) space in the building of a former 19th-century mansion in Horodok, Lviv Oblast;
• Nezlamni (Unbreakable) veterans’ space, nestled in a century-old school in Nizhyn, Chernihiv region;
• Na belebeni (the rural-styled space in a traditional hut called mazanka)

Ivan Verbytskyi, Cedos Director, said: “Understanding and solidarity between people are crucial, otherwise it will be difficult for us to create the welfare state we strive and fight for. We will hardly agree on a common vision if we do not listen, trust and make joint efforts. The community-building centers that ATCs are working on as part of this project should become physical spaces for communication and interaction, support for local initiatives, involvement of vulnerable populations, and strengthening of solidarity through joint learning, volunteering, and planning for the future. We are pleased to be able to provide communities with the necessary support in establishing such centers.”

Iryna Ozymok, UMAEF Local Economic Development Program Director, Founder of the International Mayors Summit, said: “Youth in general as well as demographic challenges, including out-migration, are calling for our attention. Spaces for communication and community development prove to be important. People often attend church or folk festivals, but this is not enough. Recognizing this need, the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund and Cedos are launching the second wave of the Community reBuilding Centers project. The first ten centers have already demonstrated their effectiveness, and now we provide all the necessary support to open ten more. An investment of almost one and a half million UAH, a professional team of mentors, educational programs, and accessibility of the centers will help unite and develop communities.”

Applications are accepted from public or charitable organizations that have partnerships with local authorities. Projects must be implemented in communities with a population of up to 100,000 people and must be co-financed by at least 20%. Projects related to commercial, political, or religious purposes will not be considered.

Applications can be submitted until 23:59 on August 5, 2024.

Community reBuilding is a joint project of Cedos and Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) aimed at developing community-building centers in ATCs. More details and application forms are available on the Cedos and UMAEF websites.

Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund is the first regional private equity fund in Ukraine and Moldova with experience investing in small and medium-sized companies. Since 2015, the Fund has been implementing a $170 million legacy program focused on five areas. umaef.org

Cedos is an independent think tank and community that has been working on social development since 2010. The goal of Cedos is to find systemic causes of social problems and solutions, using research-based approach. Cedos studies social processes and public policies, disseminates critical knowledge, promotes progressive change, informs and strengthens the community that supports this change. cedos.org.ua