Abilis Foundation
A Finnish foundation giving small grants to organisations of persons with disabilities, including in Ukraine, for rights, inclusion and capacity.
About the fund
The Abilis Foundation (Abilis-säätiö) is a Finnish non-governmental organisation established in 1998 in Helsinki. It supports grassroots organisations of persons with disabilities in the Global South and Eastern Europe so that they can actively advocate for their rights in society.
Abilis is mainly funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. It provides small grants for projects initiated by persons with disabilities themselves and follows a human-rights-based approach: persons with disabilities are not just beneficiaries, but active participants and leaders of the projects.
Abilis has supported persons with disabilities in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, and in 2024 Ukraine became an official programme country of the Foundation. Priorities include inclusion, capacity building of grassroots organisations of persons with disabilities as rights advocates, and psychological support.
Focus areas
- Development of organisations of persons with disabilities
- Disability rights and advocacy
- Rights of women and girls with disabilities
- Inclusion and independent living
- Psychological support
- Employment and economic independence
Interesting facts
Established in 1998; its main funder is the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Has funded more than 4,000 projects in 80 countries since its founding.
Since 2024 Ukraine has been one of the Foundation's ten programme countries.
How to apply
Organisations of persons with disabilities can apply, provided persons with disabilities actively take part in the project; up to EUR 5,000 for new and small organisations. The Ukraine call (deadline 19 October 2026) and conditions are at abilis.fi.
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