December 12, 2024

In 2023-4 the focus of much of BEARR’s work has been on Ukraine and Moldova, with the Ukraine Emergency Appeal at the forefront of activities. This effort will continue in 2025, but the main Small Grants Scheme will cover most of the countries with which we work.

We invited potential applicants to send project proposals for two strands:

Strand A: For projects on the theme “Joint projects that support the integration and inclusion of vulnerable people into their local community”. This strand was open to CSOs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Strand A applications should be a joint application from two or more partner organisations.

Strand B (for Ukraine only): For projects to support the welfare of staff and volunteers, and organisational resilience. This strand was open only to organisations in Ukraine which have received earlier support from BEARR, whether through the Small Grants Scheme or the Ukraine Emergency Appeal.

No grants can be made at present to Russian and Belarusian CSOs because of difficulties transferring funds to those countries.

Response

Applications for this 2025 Small Grants Scheme closed at the end of January. We were delighted to receive 109 applications across both strands, with at least one application from each of the 10 countries BEARR currently works with. 94 project proposals were submitted for Strand A and 15 for Strand B.

Chosen Projects

The Trustees have approved grants for the following projects:

Armenia

• Healthy Childhood  

The project aims to improve the lives of children with special needs and their caretakers in impoverished areas of the rural Lori region. 

• Pathways to Reintegration: Empowering through social inclusion for a sustainable future

Developing essential social, personal, legal and practical skills for individuals on probation and their families.

Georgia

• Improved health outcomes for women living with HIV through community-led education, support and referral aiming at prevention breast and cervical cancer

This project empowers women living with HIV in five countries through community mobilisation, education, and referrals to sexual and reproductive health services, focusing on cervical and breast cancer prevention and HPV vaccination. Local coordinators lead awareness activities, connect women to friendly healthcare providers, and promote accessible, sensitive care.

• Voices of Strength: Supporting women and girls in Abkhazia

This project supports women and girls in Abkhazia facing violence by raising awareness, training local leaders, and improving access to services. Key activities include community workshops, a digital safety planning tool, and cross-border coordination to ensure timely support where local services are lacking.

Kazakhstan

• Recovery and Empowerment: Supporting women from vulnerable groups

Information workshops, self-esteem training and safety workshops for Lesbian women released from prison, women living with HIV, and women who use drugs.

Kyrgyzstan

• Including Mugat Children in Street Soccer League 

Mugat (Lyuli) Minority children, are also known as Central Asian Romani. Establishment of a street soccer community; building a small “home stadium” with basic equipment; workshops on social skills, human rights and children’s rights.

Tajikistan

• Assured Future

This project addresses the marginalisation of young people and vulnerable women in remote areas of Lebap Velayat by promoting civic education and community engagement on human trafficking and domestic violence. Through workshops, art therapy, and youth-led initiatives, the programme fosters empowerment, inclusion, and lasting community support.

Turkmenistan

• Fostering a Safe and Inclusive Environment through Civic Educational Activities

Training in entrepreneurship for women and people with disabilities who have been left without a breadwinner.

Ukraine

• Bright Picture of the Bleak Past: Depicting the invisible victims of the war

Project for people with drug and alcohol addiction, including IDP women, undergoing recovery near the conflict line in Donetsk oblast. Community kitchen; psychological support; social and conventional media awareness campaign.

• Connect and Discover 

Project for children and families of Ukrainian military servicemen, providing them with support such as art-therapy and entertainment activities to help them process their emotions, build resilience, and maintain a sense of stability.

• TeamUnity

The project seeks to facilitate the integration of displaced children into host communities by combining games, to spark children’s interest and encourage participation, environmental conservation work carried out collectively by displaced and local children, and team-building, enabling them to organise initiative groups, define their roles, and assign responsibilities. 

The Trustees also approved six grants under Strand B of the Small Grants Scheme.