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CPRK.GROUP
💼 GRANTS
March 10, 2026
· 7 min read
What is a logframe and why will an application be rejected without it?
Logical Framework Matrix — a table that shows the logic of your project from problem to result. Most NGOs fill it out incorrectly. Let's analyze it in detail.
A logframe is not a formality. For the donor, it is proof that you understand the cause-and-effect relationship between what you are doing and what needs to change in the world. If the logframe is weak, the entire application looks weak.
4 levels of logframes — top to bottom
01
Overall goal
Overall Objective / Goal
The broad social impact to which your project contributes. Your project does not achieve this on its own – it only contributes. Formulated at the societal or sector level.
Example: “Improving access to justice for IDPs in Ukraine”
02
Project goal
Project Purpose / Specific Objective
The direct result of your project. The change that will occur in the target group thanks to your work. It should be realistic and measurable.
Example: “Improving legal literacy of 500 IDPs in Kharkiv region”
03
Results
Outputs / Results
Specific products that you will produce during the project. Things that can be counted and verified after completion.
Example: “20 legal consultations were conducted”, “15 lawyers were trained”, “A manual was published”
04
Activities
Activities
What specifically you will do to achieve the results. The most detailed level - this describes all operational work.
Example: “Organization of trainings”, “Development of training materials”, “Conducting consultations”
4 columns - what to fill in
Description
What is it - the formulation of a goal, result or activity
Indicators
Specific numerical indicators how you will know you have reached this level
Verification sources
Where will you get the data to validate the indicators — reports, surveys, registers
Assumption
What must be true for this level to work - external conditions beyond your control
What does a completed logframe look like?
Level
Description
Indicators
Sources
Sources
01
Overall goal
Improving access to justice for IDPs
The access to justice index increased by 10% in the region
Ministry of Justice data, UNHCR reports
State institutions are functioning
500 IDPs improved their legal literacy
02
Project goal
80% of participants passed the post-test with a score of 70+%
Pre/post tests, participant lists
IDPs have access to activities
20 trainings were conducted, 15 lawyers were trained
03
Results
20 trainings conducted, 15 certificates issued
Registration forms, certificates
Lawyers are ready to participate
Organization of trainings, development of materials
04
Activities
—
Financial reports, minutes
Availability of facilities and trainers
The most common mistakes
✕
Confusing levels: “Conduct training” as an outcome
✓ Correct: “Conduct training” is an activity. Result: “50 participants trained”
✕
Fuzzy indicator: “Improving awareness of participants”
✓ Correct: “80% of participants will be able to name 3 of their legal rights after the training”
✕
Unrealistic numbers: 10,000 beneficiaries with a budget of €30,000
✓ Correct: real numbers that match the team’s budget and resources
✕
Assumptions are written to tick the box: "There is a stable security situation"
✓ Correct: specific conditions and action plan if the assumption is not met
💡 LIFE HACK
Fill in the logframe from the bottom up — first activities, then results, then goal. This way it is much easier to maintain a logical chain and not get confused in the levels. Check yourself: does each activity lead to a result? Does each result lead to the project goal?
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