The Polaris Programme “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine” has closed the application window for its crisis support initiative aimed at helping hromadas maintain or improve access to public services – with selected participants eligible to receive computer equipment and expert mentoring support. Based on the submitted applications, the Programme plans to select 25–30 partner hromadas.

The call for applications was open from 22 December 2025 to 16 January 2026. In total, 276 applications were received from 240 hromadas across all 13 oblasts eligible under the selection criteria. The highest number of applications came from Poltava (52), Kharkiv (34), Cherkasy (33), Sumy (31) and Kirovohrad (28) oblasts.

The competition aims to strengthen existing public service initiatives that require further development or scaling. Hromadas were able to apply under the following areas: crisis response to preserve or restore access to services; projects that promote the value and development of education; development of administrative services (support for Administrative Service Centres); ensuring access to services in remote settlements and starosta districts; implementation of veteran policy; as well as other related initiatives, including the development of residents’ digital skills and support for community hubs.

A preliminary review of the applications shows that the most in-demand areas were:

• development of administrative services (ASCs) – 62 applications;
• support for education projects – 40 applications;
• veteran policy – 35 applications.

Polaris experts are currently assessing the received applications. Preliminary results will be announced by 28 February 2026.