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Part of Refugee supports

The Ukrainian Evacuees Support Program

Eligible organizations can apply for funding to build support networks for Ukrainian evacuees in Alberta.

Important dates

  • October 18, 2023 – Grant intake opens
  • October 26, 2023 from 10 am to 12 pm – Applicant’s information call (see Application Guidelines)
  • November 20, 2023 at 11:59 pm – Deadline to submit applications
  • February to March 2024 – All applicants are notified about funding decisions

Overview

As part of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to supporting Ukrainian evacuees to resettle and integrate into Alberta, the Ukrainian Evacuees Support Program is intended to support non-profit organizations in providing English language learning supports, employment supports, address emerging needs and/or existing gaps, and build capacity among service providers to support evacuees’ living in our province.

2023-2024 Call for Proposals

Apply to have your project funded under one of the following 3 streams:

Stream 1: English Language Supports

This stream will fund projects that increase access to English language opportunities for Ukrainian evacuees to help them reach their full potential while they live and work in Alberta.  

Language learning opportunities through this funding should complement existing programs and services, they should not replace or duplicate currently funded federal or provincial language training supports.

Stream 2: Employment Supports

This stream will fund initiatives to create enhanced employment supports, which may include a language component, for Ukrainian evacuees looking to gain employment or better employment opportunities. 

Stream 3: Emerging Needs and/or Existing Gaps

This stream will fund initiatives that enable organizations to address evolving/emerging needs and/or existing gaps in services for Ukrainian evacuees and/or build capacity among service providers.  

Multiple applications

Organizations can submit up to 2 applications. Refer to the Application Guidelines for more information.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, applicants and projects must meet these guidelines.

Eligible applicants 

Eligible applicants are:

  • A legal entity in Alberta and incorporated or registered for a period of at least 1 year, have an Alberta-based address, and are operating in Alberta.
    • Note: Organizations incorporated or registered under an act of the Parliament of Canada must also be registered in Alberta’s Corporate Registries System.  
  • Non-profit organizations (under an act of the Alberta Legislature or Parliament of Canada) including immigrant serving, community, ethno-cultural, multicultural and faith-based organizations.
  • Public libraries.
  • Public sector entities (for example, public post-secondary institutions, schools, school boards, hospitals, health authorities, etc.). 

Applicants must:

  • have the ability, including financial management, to implement a grant agreement
  • demonstrate at least 2 years of relevant experience in related activities to those being proposed in the application

For projects with partnerships, an applicant must be: 

  • an eligible applicant as listed above
  • the fiscal agent
  • the lead role in planning the project scope, timeline and outputs
  • the lead in the project coordination
  • accountable for all project deliverables and reporting requirements.

Partner organizations must provide a letter that outlines their role in the project, and should actively contribute to the project goals, scope, outputs, and outcomes.

Eligible projects

To be eligible, projects must:

  • be time-limited, up to a maximum of 24 months
  • fit within the funding stream listed above
  • address at least one of the outcomes identified for the funding stream
  • cost no more than the funding cap set for the stream

How to apply

Step 1. Read the terms and conditions

Read the sample Grant Agreement Template. It covers the terms and conditions of this grant program, as well as the reporting requirements you will be responsible for if your project is funded. This document is for information only and should not be submitted as part of your application.

Step 2. Review the Application Guidelines and complete the application package

Before applying, review the Application Guidelines. It contains detailed information that you need to know before you decide to apply.

Step 3. Participate in the Applicants’ Information Call (optional) 

The Applicants’ Information Call on October 26, was an opportunity to ask questions regarding the application process and seek clarification about the Application Guidelines. 

Step 4. Download the application templates: 

Step 5. Complete the application 

A complete application consists of all 3 documents listed in Step 4 along with documentation listed under ‘Application Procedures’ on page 13 in the Application Guidelines.

Note: Read the Application Guidelines carefully to ensure you have included all necessary information. Read the questions and answers from the applicant call.

The complete application package includes:

Step 6. Submit the application

  • Title the subject line of your email as:
    • 2023–24 UESP CFP Application: [organization name]
  • Submit your complete application in one email (preferably) to: [email protected]
  • If there are server restrictions that prevent you from sending large email attachments, send an email to [email protected] indicating you will need to send multiple emails to fulfil all the submission requirements, and proceed to do so.

After you apply

After you apply, the following steps occur:

1. Initial screening

We screen applications to make sure they are complete, on time, and meet the eligibility criteria.

2. Committee review

Applications that successfully meet the initial screening criteria are forwarded to a review committee for scoring. Scoring is based on the overall application package and how it addresses the following criteria:

  • need for the project
  • project components and design
  • ability of organizations to deliver the project
  • risk identification and management
  • budget

3. Internal review

We will consider all applications recommended by the review committees, and award grants based on:

  • application scores
  • provincial needs
  • priorities
  • available funding

We will notify all applicants of the results of their application(s) by February or March 2024.

Projects funded

2023-24 projects funded

  • Stream 1: English Language Supports projects funded

    Survival English for CUAET visa holders

    Organization: Care for Newcomers

    This project will provide increased access for CUAET visa holders in Central Alberta via the successful English as a second language (ESL) program offered by Care for Newcomers. We are a well-established newcomer settlement organization in Central Alberta with extensive expertise and experience in providing a full range of settlement and integration services. 8 sessions of 3 classes will be offered in 2 years, with sessions running from 6 to 13 weeks long. Topics will be based on needs of students, and will likely cover language needed to equip them to communicate in every-day life in their community. Overall, the project objective is to offer Survival English to Ukrainians, supporting their integration in Alberta.

    Ukrainian Evacuees English Program (UEEP)

    Organization: Centre for Newcomers

    From March to November 2024, the Ukrainian Evacuees English Program (UEEP) will offer an ESL program ranging from CLB 2 to CLB 6, with 2 cohorts of 17 weeks each. Students will obtain the essential language skills to actively participate in Canadian society during the learner-centred lessons. The program provides formal English instructions in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

    As an online format, two part-time evening classes with 25 seats will be offered. The class schedule is Monday through Thursday, 6 pm to 9 pm. All Ukrainian evacuees in Alberta can access this provincial online model. Instructors will offer the class using Avenue.ca and Zoom sessions as virtual classrooms.  Two part-time Saturday classes are provided as in-person classes, each with 20 seats, scheduled on Saturdays, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Clients with limited computer skills and lower English levels can benefit from the in-person classes.

    ELS Navigate

    Organization: Drayton Valley & District Community Learning Association

    ELS Navigate will provide Ukrainian Evacuees with survival language training in remote rural Alberta communities. Survival English is the essential English someone needs to know in order to survive – live or work – in an English-speaking environment. Topics will include: Listening and Speaking, Functional English, Language for Socializing, Technical English and Cultural English. Programming will be delivered at the beginner and advanced levels.

    Providing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes is supported by a wealth of evidence, and there are several compelling rationales for offering such programs which include: Proficiency in English is often a crucial factor in employability. Individuals with strong English skills have better chances of securing employment, career advancement, and higher salaries. ESL learners who improve their language skills are more likely to contribute positively to the economy through increased productivity and participation in the workforce. English proficiency facilitates social integration, allowing individuals to engage more actively in their communities. This can lead to better social relationships and a sense of belonging.

    Meeting the Needs

    Organization: Drumheller Community Learning Society

    Drumheller Community Learning Society is well known in the community for offering English language learning for newcomers. With our many years of experience, access to resource and materials from our own extensive library, the Community Adult Learning network and feedback from learners we feel confident on our teaching abilities. The society’s approach to teaching English is learner-centered, where we work with the learner to set goals and design a plan that works for the individual learner. 

    Building on a learner’s current skills and knowledge we will provide supports from beginner or basic to advanced English language learning. This can include everything from survival English to prep for exams that assist with a learner’s goals and dreams. There is no one size fits all when learning the English Language. Being flexible and creative helps our learners to reach their goals, thrive and belong in their new community.

    Specialized Language Acquisition for Vocational Achievement (SLAVA) in Alberta Program

    Organization: Equilibrium School

    This course will provide participants with the tools needed to navigate the sociocultural aspects of workplace language in Alberta. This includes workplace etiquette, formal and informal workplace writing, communicating with colleagues and clients, understanding directions and instructions, as well as commonly used workplace language. This course is designed for employed and/or employment-ready individuals who have either completed LINC in Canada, or have already acquired an English language foundation of at least CLB 3 in all skills. This course is not designed for advanced English language users wishing to fine-tune their skills. Instead, it is for individuals with moderate English language abilities looking to overcome challenges in the Alberta workplace that often stem from sociocultural factors that are not taught in a conventional English as an additional language (EAL) classroom.

    Accessible English for Ukrainian Integration

    Organization: Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning

    Ukrainians across Alberta have reported numerous challenges in their settlement in Canada, among them access to affordable English language supports tailored to their needs. Key barriers which limit opportunities and social inclusion for immigrants in Canada include low proficiency in an official language and lack of cultural awareness (Derwing and Waugh, 2012). 

    The Grande Prairie Council for Lifelong Learning proposes Accessible English for Ukrainian Integration to provide flexible English Language learning that centres on pragmatics and real life application to address the interests, challenges, and needs of Ukrainian evacuees with CLB 4+ proficiency settling in Grande Prairie. The goal of the project is to provide opportunity for Ukrainian evacuees who are intermediate English language learners to practice higher level English language vocabulary, structures, and concepts with a pragmatic approach, develop cultural awareness, and gain skills required to establish social bonds that enhance integration, support success in all contexts of life, and enable civic participation.

    Essential English Language Skills (EELS)

    Organization: Grant MacEwan University

    Essential English Language Skills is an intensive, comprehensive part-time course that focuses on reading, writing, listening and speaking at MacEwan University. This 12-week, 144-hour course delivers fundamental basic English (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to Ukrainian nationals over the age of 18 at a high beginner level (CLB 4). By increasing the proficiency in these four areas, and improving self confidence, participants will successfully integrate in Alberta.

    English language project

    Organization: City of Red Deer Library Board

    Over the course of 24 months, the Adult Literacy program plans to offer 12 English language classes (6 per year). These classes will range in language levels from Canadian Language Benchmark Pre- Benchmark to Level 5. Each class will be 36 hours long and will accommodate the needs of 15 to 17 learners each. The classes will be offered in different branches of the library in order to eliminate the transportation barrier. 

    Qualified instructors will deliver relevant content that is necessary for everyday life in Canada. Each class will focus on basic English survival skills that are appropriate for the level of the class. Because this English Language Project is so number-specific, it will be easy to track data and learners' progress.

    TIES’ Open Doors Survival English Language Training Classes

    Organization: The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

    TIES’ Open Doors Survival English Language Training Classes focus on short-term, intensive,
    survival language learning opportunities for eligible CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 3/4 and CLB 5/6 (CLB 1/2 if there is a demand) waiting for the language instruction classes and offer a course of Basic English language concepts to live and work in Alberta in an English-speaking environment (for example, introduction to Canada, Alberta, Calgary, community, health, employment, housing, banking and finance, and basic grammar structures), as well as enhance all 4 language skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing to function independently in most real life situations related to immediate needs. 

    TIES’ Open Doors Survival English Language Training Classes enhance the province’s efforts to support Ukrainian nationals by removing barriers, such as long waitlists, to accessing the short-term survival English language training to support their successful integration in Alberta.

    English language supports

    Organization: Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC)

    UCC-APC will offer basic English classes for 500 Ukrainian Evacuees over a 2-year period. These classes are 8 weeks in length and offered in 5 cohorts of 4 concurrent classes, serving 25 participants per class. Participants are asked to pay a one-time registration fee of $75 for cost recovery and a demonstration of commitment for attendance. Improved English will aid their employment prospects, aid the Permanent Residency application process and integration into Canadian Society. UCC-APC has experience with offering survival English classes. 

    The organization has access to qualified instructors (ESL or CELPIP) who are prepared to deliver in-person and on-line classes. Curriculum will be developed in April with the assistance of a knowledgeable volunteer. All participants will complete several assessments at the beginning and end of the course. Improvement of English language skills will assist Ukrainian newcomers in all aspects of their transition and settlement in Canada.

  • Stream 2: Employment Supports projects funded

    Employment Compass Project: Curated resources for displaced Ukrainian job readiness

    Organization: Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA)

    AAISA's "Employment Compass Project: Curated resources for displaced Ukrainian job readiness" is an innovative project aimed at bolstering the integration of displaced Ukrainians in Alberta by emphasizing the enhancement and networking of existing employment programs, opportunities, and support systems within the sector. Central to this initiative is the creation of a dynamic network that connects various employment resources, ensuring that both traditional and non-traditional settlement agencies are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of Ukrainians. 

    This network will facilitate the sharing of information and best practices, thereby strengthening the capacity of agencies, especially in non-traditional regions, to provide tailored and effective support. The project focuses on harnessing the potential of existing services and filling gaps in service delivery, ensuring that displaced Ukrainians in all regions of Alberta have access to the necessary tools and opportunities for successful integration into the local labour market and community.

    English for the Workplace

    Organization: Care for Newcomers

    Many Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Canada lack the important language skills and cultural understanding needed for employment, and this is having a significant impact on their ability to find a job that meets their financial needs and/or that matches their skills. This is due to a variety of reasons, including gaps in language, culture, and knowledge of the essential skills. This project will provide workplace-focused ESL instruction designed to meet the unique needs of Ukrainians. 

    Two cohorts will be offered with possibility to increase if found beneficial. The goal of this project is to integrate the essential skills, language and culture, and provide real-world English to help Ukrainians become more successful in finding employment that meets their abilities and become more comfortable using English in their current workplace.

    Connecting Ukrainians to Employment–1 (CUE-1)

    Organization: Edmonton Newcomer Centre

    Established in fall 2022, the Connecting Ukrainians to Employment (CUE) program addresses the urgent need for employment services for Ukrainian evacuees affected by the ongoing conflict.  Focused on enhancing employability skills and fostering financial independence, the program currently faces a gap in aiding evacuees with lower English proficiency. To bridge this, the proposal introduces CUE-1, an extension catering to those needing industry-specific language classes for warehouse, construction, and customer service roles.

    The project's goals encompass one-on-one services, small group workshops, and job placement events. With dedicated staff, including a career practitioner, language instructor, and intake worker, the program plans to provide tailored support through job-oriented language classes. The timeline outlines recruitment, training, and 6 cohorts, emphasizing practical communication skills and a client-centric model for ongoing assistance. Services will be offered in-person and virtually for flexibility. The evidence-based approach incorporates predetermined goals, and staffing allocations, ensuring comprehensive support for Ukrainian evacuees.

    The New Beginnings: Ukrainian Employment Support Program

    Organization: The Immigrant Education Society (TIES)

    The New Beginnings: Ukrainian Employment Support (NBUES) Program is dedicated to assisting Ukrainian evacuees with Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) visas in entering the workforce. This 16-week program includes 10 weeks of in-class training, 26 hours weekly, focusing on interpersonal skills, Canadian work culture, workplace communication, and job search strategies. It also covers sector-specific knowledge in fields like housekeeping, construction, and customer service.

    The program is tailored for participants with diverse educational backgrounds and English
    proficiency, concluding with a 6-week practical work experience (20 hours per week). This blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience aims for quick labour force entry. NBUES utilizes a hybrid training model, combining in-person and online for greater accessibility.

    Organized into 7 cohorts, the program aims to support 70 participants, ensuring personalized training and individual attention. With a goal of a 70% employment outcome, NBUES is committed to effectively preparing Ukrainian evacuees for successful integration into the Canadian job market.

  • Stream 3: Emerging Needs and/or Existing Gaps projects funded

    Ukrainian Evacuees' Resettlement in Alberta (UERA) Part 1: Outreach, engagement, and capacity building

    Organization: Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA)

    AAISA will collaborate with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society to identify communities that meet the diverse settlement and employment needs of Ukrainian evacuees. AAISA will leverage its experience working with newcomer serving organizations and its stakeholder connections to apply a systemic and holistic approach to integration, whereby local resources are pulled together to provide a cohesive and holistic pathway to integration along key domains of employment, housing, language training and testing, and community connections. The overarching goal of this project is to support long-term integration of displaced Ukrainians into rural Alberta.

    Resettlement and Landlord Engagement in Southern Alberta (RALESA)

    Organization: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)

    This project has a 3-pronged approach to supporting the resettlement of Ukrainian evacuees in southern Alberta. Firstly, CCIS will collaborate with Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) to identify communities that meet the diverse settlement and employment needs of Ukrainian evacuees. CCIS will leverage its experience working with newcomers and its stakeholder connections to support resettlement efforts in rural communities in southern Alberta. Secondly, the project will enhance coordination of supports while Ukrainian evacuees are in temporary hotel accommodation, including providing information about opportunities for settlement outside of Calgary and other gaps in services not available through CCIS' federal programming. Thirdly, the project will cultivate a more receptive and welcoming rental landscape by improving landlords’ readiness to provide long term accommodation, and therefore, this project will help maximize the efficacy of other programs that focus on directly assisting Ukrainians to secure housing.

    The project will increase awareness, access to information, and understanding among potential landlords to support Ukrainian evacuees secure long-term rental accommodation. This proactive approach fosters informed engagement among empathetic housing providers, prevents potential friction between prospective tenants and landlords, and facilitates a more supportive and inclusive environment for Ukrainian evacuees as they navigate their resettlement journey in Calgary and rural communities across Southern Alberta.

    Settlement and Integration Brokering Supports for Ukrainian evacuees

    Organization: Multicultural Family Resource Society

    The “Settlement and Integration Brokering Supports for Ukrainian Evacuees” project is a collaboration between the Multicultural Family Resource Society (MFRS) and Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative Ltd. (MCHB) to support and empower Ukrainian evacuees. Evacuees participating in MFRS programs receive wrap-around supports from MCHB Cultural Brokers to navigate, understand, and access a broad range of services, programming and community supports relevant to their current family priorities; thereby improving family wellbeing and mental health, bolstering resiliency and wellbeing and enhancing the long-term prognosis for successful integration. 

    This intensive support will serve to bolster their ability to engage in and benefit from MFRS’ EAL and parenting group programming. Learnings gained in the project will help the Alberta government, AAISA, and a range of stakeholders to explore the relationship between formal programming for employment or language acquisition, and holistic models of support.

    Supporting Ukrainian Evacuees Across Rural Alberta

    Organization: Rural Development Network

    Many stakeholders in rural communities experience gaps in understanding and being able to meet the needs of Ukrainian evacuees in the community, school system, housing sector and workplace. Rural Development Network will develop and deliver a train-the-trainer, capacity-building training series that will provide relevant information and resources about Ukrainian evacuees, their specific needs, and appropriate approaches to service provision, as well as promote wider community capacity building, knowledge sharing, and further sustainability of these capacity-building efforts.

    Training will include: background information on the situation in Ukraine, and characteristics, specific needs, and common pathways or experiences of Ukrainian evacuees, approaches to appropriate service provision: cultural competency and trauma-informed care, and workshops specific to non-traditional settlement groups, such as Housing (landlords, property management companies, host families, etc.), Education (Settlement Workers in Schools, schools, etc.) and Employment (private businesses, employment assistance and adult learning agencies, etc.). This training will directly support diverse community stakeholders in being able to support the needs of Ukrainian evacuees settling, living and working in rural Alberta.

    Ukrainian Canadian Congress Airport Project: Evacuees Support Program

    Organization: Ukrainian Canadian Congress: Alberta Provincial Council (UCC-APC)

    By welcoming and supporting Ukrainian newcomers, Alberta demonstrates solidarity with the people of Ukraine during their time of need. Alberta's reputation as one of the most welcoming provinces for newcomers continues to attract individuals seeking a fresh start. For the past 2 years, the UCC-APC has worked tirelessly with its partner organizations to provide much-needed supports for these Ukrainian newcomers. One of these supports is the welcome booth at the Edmonton airport which is the first point of contact for UCC-APC with Ukrainian newcomers and where valuable information is shared with them.

    With the support of this grant, UCC-APC will be able to accommodate the growing number of Ukrainian new arrivals by extending the hours of the airport welcome booth (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 11 pm, and weekends from 9 am to 5 pm) and continue to operate the welcome booth and provide assistance to Ukrainian newcomers for the month of April 2024. This grant funding will help to prevent the gaps in critical services that UCC-APC can provide to Ukrainian newcomers.