Organization for Nonviolent Movements · Open Call
Pairing French and Ukrainian civil society organizations to build lasting solidarity, share knowledge, and act together for a democratic Europe.
Twin NGOs is part of ONM's signature Human-to-Human (H2H) methodology — linking people at the most basic level of society, reflecting the way society actually works, not how it looks from the top of a diplomatic ladder. Change doesn't begin with summits. It begins with people finding each other.
The Initiative
Ukraine's civil society is one of the most vibrant, resilient forces in the world today. From volunteer networks to human rights defenders, cultural organizations to anti-corruption watchdogs, Ukrainian grassroots actors are doing extraordinary work, often with minimal resources and under enormous pressure.
French civil society has capacity, energy, and experience to offer. The Twin NGOs initiative brings French and Ukrainian organizations together in structured, long-term partnerships — not as donors and recipients, but as equals who learn from each other, build each other up, and act together.
Think of it as a twin cities initiative, but for civil society: symbolic solidarity made concrete through real, ongoing collaboration.
Mutual mentorship — share contacts, resources, insights, and lessons learned across your fields.
Collaboration — brainstorm joint initiatives, apply for grants together, and co-advocate on shared issues.
Human connection — build genuine friendship between your teams. Language is no barrier: new translation tools make rich exchanges accessible.
Europe's civic shield — counter disinformation, preserve culture, strengthen democratic institutions, fight corruption.
Reciprocal energy — a French fundraiser directs a share of proceeds to its Twin NGO in Ukraine; the Ukrainian partner promotes the work in return.
EU accession — support Ukraine's path to the EU through people-to-people civil society alignment, beyond government-to-government channels.
Who Can Apply
We are looking for organizations that are genuinely curious about their counterparts across the border and ready to invest in a transnational, grassroots relationship.
Formal associations (loi 1901) working in:
Nonviolent movements, volunteer hubs, NGOs, associations, and trusted and vetted informal groups. Ukrainian organizations are admitted by referral or through our partner network.
The Commitment
Organizations themselves know what they need and what they can give. A Twin NGO partnership might look something like 1.5 hours total interaction per month, a 12-month commitment, any of four collaboration frameworks (forthcoming) to choose from, and 0 euros cost to participate.
When matched, each pair receives the Twin NGO Blueprint — a practical guide covering your first five steps together and your chosen collaboration framework — to give your partnership a confident, structured launch. No experience with international partnerships required.
The formal commitment is a letter of intent signed by both organizations. ONM asks all participants for a brief progress report at 6 months and 12 months, and to share the initiative with your networks and follow ONM's social media accounts.
How to Apply
Applications are simple by design. We ask you to record a short video so we can hear directly from you — your voice, your energy, your mission. Videos may be in English, Ukrainian, or French.
Record a short video (maximum 5 minutes) covering these points:
🇫🇷 For French organizations
1. Who you are — introduce your organization and your team.
2. Your mission — what you're working toward and why it matters.
3. Your proudest accomplishment — one thing you've done that you want us to know about.
4. Your needs and concerns — what challenges are you facing? What does geopolitical uncertainty mean for your work right now?
5. What you're looking for — how do you see working with an international partner? What do you hope to gain from this?
🇺🇦 For Ukrainian organizations
1. Who you are — introduce your organization and your team.
2. Your mission — what you're working toward and why it matters.
3. Your proudest accomplishment — one thing you've done that you want us to know about.
4. Your needs and challenges — what does the war mean for your work right now?
5. What you're looking for — how do you see working with an international partner? What do you hope to gain from this?
① Upload your video to our shared folder:
Google Drive submission folder →
② Send an email in Ukrainian, French, or English to contact@nonviolent-movements.org with:
Timeline
Applications are accepted in three cohorts. The first deadline is tied to our Ukraine–France Civil Society Networking Evening on July 2 in Paris, where the Twin NGOs initiative will be formally presented.