Grant Management for the Ukrainian Diaspora

Alla Savchenko, President of BDO in Ukraine, took part in the Global Ukrainian Summit held in Bern, Switzerland. She was a speaker in a panel discussion focused on mobilizing financial support and strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian communities abroad.

Summit as a platform for collaboration and fundraising

The event brought together representatives of Ukrainian communities, NGOs, businesses, educational institutions, and charitable foundations from around the world. Participants discussed key issues related to supporting Ukraine, developing international partnerships, fundraising, attracting financial resources, and strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian organizations abroad.

One of the central themes was mobilizing financial support through effective fundraising strategies and the use of modern digital tools. During a dedicated session, experts shared practical insights on working with donors, building partnerships, and securing grant funding for Ukrainian initiatives.


Among the event’s speakers was Alla Savchenko, President of BDO in Ukraine, who presented a practical approach to using artificial intelligence in grant application preparation for Ukrainian NGOs and diaspora organizations. In her presentation, she focused on how modern AI tools can support small teams in building effective grant management processes — from structuring grant workflows and analysing donor requirements to developing budgets, preparing translations, and conducting final application reviews.


 

BDO in Ukraine’s practical approach to AI

At the early stage of grant application preparation, organizations should apply a Go/No-Go approach to assess whether it is worth pursuing a funding opportunity before investing time in drafting a proposal. According to Alla Savchenko, the greatest resource savings come not from faster application writing, but from making timely decisions about whether a project aligns with donor requirements, whether the organization has the capacity to implement it, and whether it is ready to ensure proper reporting. This approach allows organizations to focus their efforts on opportunities with the highest chances of success.


 
In her speech, Alla Savchenko emphasized that successful grant management does not begin with drafting an application, but with a structured approach to project management, careful alignment with donor requirements, and thorough document preparation.
 

“Artificial intelligence is not, and will never be, the author of a grant application. However, it can serve as a ‘grant hub’ for organizations — helping to analyze funding calls, validate project logic, develop budgets, prepare translations, and critically review applications before submission,” she noted.

At the final stage of a grant project, success is measured not only by securing funding, but also by the organization’s ability to ensure proper accounting, control, and reporting on the use of grant funds. A structured approach to project management and compliance with donor requirements are essential for building long-term partnerships and participating in future grant programs.

A practical guide to grant management

Drawing on extensive experience working with international financial institutions, foundations, and donors, as well as supporting Ukrainian communities in Slovenia, Alla Savchenko presented a practical guide on the use of AI. The guide is designed to help diaspora organizations prepare high-quality, well-justified grant applications. It includes step-by-step recommendations, document templates, AI prompts, and tools to assess an organization’s readiness to participate in grant competitions.

Download the guide in Ukrainian via the link below.
 
BDO in Ukraine continues to support the development of the public sector and the adoption of modern technologies in grant management, financial management, and reporting. If your organization requires support with grant projects, financial capacity, or the use of artificial intelligence tools, feel free to reach out to our team of experts.