Call for EOIs: Enhancing Legal and Civil Documentation Support in Afghanistan

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting applications to strengthen protection for forcibly displaced persons, returnees, stateless individuals, and vulnerable host communities in Afghanistan. The initiative focuses on expanding access to civil documentation and legal assistance, with a target of issuing 6,000 new civil documents per region while prioritizing women, girls, and other at-risk groups.

Programme Overview

This UNHCR initiative aims to improve protection outcomes in Afghanistan by increasing access to civil documentation and legal assistance services.

The program supports refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, stateless individuals, and vulnerable host communities, ensuring they can exercise their rights safely and with dignity.

The intervention aligns with UNHCR protection standards and the localization agenda by strengthening local capacity to provide sustainable and context-specific legal services.

Geographic Coverage

The programme will be implemented across the following regions of Afghanistan:
Herat, Farah, Wilayat-e Nimroz, Kandahar, Wilayat-e Paktika, Wilayat-e Logar, Nangarhar, Wilayat-e Kabul, Wilayat-e Laghman, Wilayat-e Kunar, Wilayat-e Baghlan, Wilayat-e Bamyan, Kunduz, Balkh, and Wilayat-e Jowzjan.

Core Objectives

1. Strengthen Protection and Access to Justice

• Improve legal protection mechanisms

• Expand access to justice services

• Support safe and dignified exercise of rights

2. Increase Access to Civil Documentation

• Facilitate issuance of 6,000 new civil documents per region

• Support refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs, and returnees in obtaining identity and civil status documentation

• Reduce barriers to accessing essential public services

3. Promote Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Protection

• Prioritize women and girls

• Address specific vulnerabilities of displaced and stateless individuals

• Ensure safe access to legal services

Scope of Legal Assistance

Partners will provide comprehensive legal services, including:

• Individual legal counselling

• Legal representation in administrative and judicial procedures

• Assistance with petitions and documentation requests

• Coverage of administrative and procedural fees

• Case management support tailored to vulnerable groups

Special attention must be given to women and other marginalized populations to ensure equitable access to documentation and justice.

Expected Results by 2027

By 2027, the program aims to:

• Enable more displaced and stateless individuals to access essential services

• Increase the number of people holding valid civil documentation

• Strengthen local legal assistance capacity

• Improve sustainable protection systems aligned with UNHCR standards

• Promote dignity, safety, and rights-based access to services

Who Should Apply?

Eligible partners should:

• Demonstrate expertise in protection, legal aid, and access to justice programming

• Have operational presence or capacity in one or more designated Afghan regions

• Align with UNHCR protection sector standards

• Show experience working with refugees, IDPs, returnees, stateless persons, and vulnerable host communities

• Be capable of managing casework, legal representation, and documentation support at scale

How the Programme Works

1. Selected partners establish legal assistance services in designated regions.

2. Beneficiaries receive legal counselling and documentation support.

3. Administrative and procedural costs are covered where necessary.

4. Legal representation and petition assistance are provided.

5. Civil documents are issued through coordination with relevant authorities.

6. Local capacity is strengthened to ensure sustainability beyond initial funding.

Why This Initiative Matters

Access to civil documentation is essential for displaced and stateless individuals to claim basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of movement. Without proper documentation, individuals face legal invisibility and increased vulnerability.

By strengthening legal assistance services and promoting inclusive access to justice, this UNHCR initiative enhances long-term protection, social inclusion, and resilience for vulnerable populations in Afghanistan.

Common Implementation Challenges

Applicants should address potential risks such as:

• Restricted civic space or limited administrative access

• Gender barriers limiting women’s mobility

• Documentation backlogs or procedural delays

• Security risks affecting service delivery

• Insufficient coordination with local authorities

Mitigation strategies should include strong protection protocols, gender-sensitive approaches, and coordination with local stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main objective of this UNHCR call?
To strengthen protection through improved access to civil documentation and legal assistance services.

2. Who are the primary beneficiaries?
Refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, stateless individuals, and vulnerable host communities.

3. How many documents are expected to be issued?
Approximately 6,000 new civil documents per region.

4. What regions are covered?
Fifteen provinces including Herat, Kandahar, Kabul, Nangarhar, Balkh, Kunduz, and others listed above.

5. What types of legal support are included?
Counselling, legal representation, assistance with petitions, and coverage of administrative fees.

6. Is gender inclusion a priority?
Yes. Women and girls are specifically prioritized to ensure safe and dignified access to services.

7. What is the long-term goal?
By 2027, to ensure more displaced and stateless individuals can exercise their rights and access essential services safely.

Conclusion

The UNHCR Afghanistan civil documentation and legal assistance initiative represents a critical protection intervention for displaced and stateless populations. By expanding access to identity documentation, strengthening legal aid systems, and prioritizing women and vulnerable groups, the program aims to create sustainable, rights-based protection outcomes across multiple Afghan regions. Through structured legal support and capacity strengthening, this initiative advances safety, dignity, and long-term resilience for those most at risk.