The EU-CARE national project ('Assistance to persons from Ukraine in their access and integration in Slovakia – NGOs') is a joint initiative between institutions and the non-profit sector in Slovakia that aims to address support for the high numbers of people fleeing the war in Ukraine. It is doing so through a recently launched call for funding applications.

Even though NGO activity was crucial in accompanying those fleeing Ukraine in their early integration in Slovakia, there has been no national-level mechanism for financing these activities until now. NGOs and local governments have to a large extent been financing their activities with their own resources, or with contributions from large international organisations (such as UNHCR and UNICEF).

The EU-CARE national project, a funding scheme for NGOs supporting the integration of displaced Ukrainians, came about as the result of cooperation between public authorities, particularly the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, the Office of the Plenipotentiary for the Development of Civil Society, the Ministry of the Interior, and non-governmental actors. It has a consortium of six independent foundations, led by the Bratislava Open Society Foundation, and its members are the SOCIA Foundation, the Children of Slovakia Foundation, the Ekopolis Foundation, the Pontis Foundation, and the Center for Philanthropy Foundation.

This consortium will distribute 12 million EUR under the new call to support the integration process of refugees from Ukraine in Slovakia. Eligible applicants for the funding are non-governmental, non-profit organisations that, since February 2022, have provided or are still assisting those fleeing the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine. Eligible activities for the call include integration activities such as housing, employment, education, culture, sports, and health and social care.

Electronic registration is required before application, the period for which will end on 31 October 2023. The call may close early, once enough applications are received to make use of the full budget.