Grand Bargain National Defence Group in Ukraine
The Ukrainian National Reference Group is a platform that connects the Ukrainian humanitarian context with global discussions on humanitarian system reform. Through the NRG, Ukrainian organizations, communities and local actors can more systematically influence the decisions shaping the future of humanitarian response.
What is Grand Bargain?
The Grand Bargain is a global humanitarian agreement launched in 2016 at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. Its purpose is to make the humanitarian system more effective, more transparent and more responsive to people in need.
A global agreement
The Grand Bargain brings together donors, UN agencies, international organizations and humanitarian actors around shared commitments to transform the humanitarian system.
Local leadership
One of its key areas of focus is strengthening the role of local and national organizations in planning, decision-making, coordination and delivery of humanitarian response.
Quality funding
The Grand Bargain promotes more flexible, predictable and multi-year funding, as well as reducing excessive administrative burden.
Why does this matter for Ukraine?
For Ukraine, the Grand Bargain is not an abstract international process, but a practical instrument for strengthening the role of Ukrainian organizations in humanitarian response.
Its priorities are directly linked to the changes Ukrainian civil society has been advocating for since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian context
The experience of communities, Ukrainian CSOs, local actors, partnerships, coordination and response in the context of full-scale war.
The global Grand Bargain
International discussions on humanitarian system reform, localization, quality funding, community participation and accountability.
How does the National Reference Group work?
The Ukrainian NRG is being developed as a structured space for cooperation among Ukrainian and local CSOs, donors, UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.
A space for dialogue
The NRG creates opportunities for regular discussion of the barriers, needs and priorities of Ukraine’s humanitarian environment.
It is not an additional bureaucratic structure, but a flexible platform designed to bring different voices together and help shape a shared vision.
A mechanism for influence
Through the NRG, Ukrainian experience can be more systematically brought into global Grand Bargain processes — particularly on localization, quality funding, community participation and accountability.
This connection helps ensure that international decisions better reflect the realities of countries where humanitarian response is delivered every day.
Main areas of the group’s work
Principles of the NRG’s work
The work of the National Reference Group should remain, inclusive, equitable and focused on practical results.
as the voice of local leadership
Strengthening the voice of Ukrainian civil society
For the Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations, participation in Grand Bargain processes is an opportunity to advance localization not as a declaration, but as a practical change in the system.
The Alliance sees the Ukrainian NRG as an instrument that helps make Ukrainian experience visible, evidence-based and influential in global humanitarian processes.
- represent the positions of Ukrainian CSOs;
- strengthen local leadership;
- build an evidence base for advocacy;
- promote equitable partnerships;
- influence decisions that shape the future of humanitarian response.
Documents Grand Bargain / NRG
This page brings together key documents related to the Grand Bargain, National Reference Groups and the process of strengthening local leadership within the humanitarian system.
Grand Bargain — A Shared Commitment to Better Serve People in Need
The original Grand Bargain document launched during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.
Download document →Grand Bargain — A Shared Commitment to Better Serve People in Need
The Ukrainian version of the foundational Grand Bargain document, provided for wider access by Ukrainian humanitarian actors.
Download document →Grand Bargain 3.0 Implementation Agenda 2025–2026
The Grand Bargain 3.0 implementation agenda, outlining key areas for humanitarian system transformation.
Download document →Grand Bargain Implementation Plan 2025–2026
The Ukrainian version of the Grand Bargain 3.0 implementation plan for working with priorities and areas of action.
Download document →Terms of Reference for National Reference Groups
The general Terms of Reference for National Reference Groups within the Grand Bargain process.
Download document →Terms of Reference for National Reference Groups
The Ukrainian version of the ToR for NRGs, explaining the objectives, activities, composition, structure and working methods of the groups.
Download document →Timeline Grand Bargain and NRG Ukraine
This short chronology shows how the global Grand Bargain process has gradually moved from international commitments toward country-level mechanisms for participation and influence.
Launch of the Grand Bargain during the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.
Introduction of National Reference Groups under Grand Bargain 2.0 to strengthen country-level implementation.
Update of the Grand Bargain 3.0 framework and stronger focus on localization, quality funding and the participation of affected populations.
Clarification of the role of NRGs and preparation of common Terms of Reference for National Reference Groups.
Implementation of Grand Bargain 3.0 and strengthening the role of NRGs as a flexible instrument for country-level influence.
Representation of the Ukrainian NRG in the Grand Bargain Facilitation Group.
Ukrainian experience must be visible in global humanitarian processes
The Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations works to ensure that the voices of Ukrainian organizations, communities and local actors are heard in shaping the future humanitarian system.