Apply for Community Mobilization and Child Protection Strengthening Initiative (Brazil)

UNICEF is inviting grant applications to strengthen community-based child protection systems in selected municipalities of Brazil, focusing on preventing violence, abuse, and exploitation of children and adolescents. The programme supports community mobilization, awareness campaigns, referral systems, and capacity building for local leaders, with an indicative budget of $125,000. It targets vulnerable areas including Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás, and Ourilândia do Norte.

Overview of the Programme

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is supporting a community-driven initiative in Brazil focused on preventing violence, exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment against children and adolescents.

The programme strengthens local child protection systems through coordinated prevention, awareness, and response mechanisms.

It is designed for municipalities affected by large-scale development activities and associated social vulnerabilities.

Geographic Focus

The initiative is implemented in selected municipalities in Brazil:

• Parauapebas
• Canaã dos Carajás
• Ourilândia do Norte

These areas are prioritized due to increased vulnerability of children and adolescents to violence and exploitation.

Core Objectives of the Programme

The initiative aims to build safer environments for children through structured community engagement and system strengthening.

Key Objectives

• Prevent violence, abuse, exploitation, and sexual harassment
• Strengthen community-based child protection systems
• Improve identification and referral of violence cases
• Enhance awareness of protection mechanisms
• Build capacity of local leaders and community agents
• Strengthen family and community participation in child safety

Programme Strategy and Approach

1. Community Mobilization and Awareness

The programme promotes active community engagement through:

• Awareness campaigns on child protection
• Education on reporting mechanisms
• Community participation in safeguarding children
• Engagement of families and caregivers

2. Community Mapping and Local Assessment

A structured planning approach includes:

• Mapping schools, communities, and households
• Using data from multiple systems:
  • Schools
  • Health units
  • Social assistance centers
• Identifying gaps and avoiding duplication of services
• Targeting high-risk areas effectively

3. Community Dialogue Spaces

Safe discussion spaces will be created for:

• Families and caregivers
• Community members
• Local stakeholders

These spaces focus on:

• Recognizing signs of violence
• Learning self-protection strategies
• Understanding reporting and referral channels
• Strengthening prevention awareness

4. Capacity Building of Local Actors

The programme includes training for:

• Community leaders
• Youth representatives
• Local protection agents

Training focuses on:

• Violence identification
• Referral pathways
• Community engagement strategies
• Sustained protection practices

5. Development of Educational Materials

The initiative will produce accessible materials for:

• Children
• Adolescents
• Families
• Community stakeholders

Content includes:

• Signs of abuse and exploitation
• Self-protection strategies
• Available support services
• Reporting mechanisms

Materials will be:

• Culturally appropriate
• Locally relevant
• Easy to understand

Target Groups and Reach

Direct and Indirect Beneficiaries

• Approximately 100 families engaged in structured dialogue sessions
• Around 1,000 individuals reached through awareness activities
• Rural and hard-to-reach communities prioritized

Inclusion Focus

The programme emphasizes:

• Rural outreach
• Equitable access to protection services
• Inclusion of vulnerable populations

Funding Information

Indicative Budget

• $125,000

Funding Purpose

Supports:

• Community mobilization activities
• Training and capacity building
• Awareness campaigns
• Development of materials
• Data collection and mapping
• Coordination and reporting systems

Eligibility and Implementation Requirements

Eligible Implementers

Typically includes organizations capable of:

• Implementing child protection programmes
• Working with communities and local institutions
• Managing data-driven interventions
• Delivering capacity-building initiatives

Key Requirements

• Strong local engagement capacity
• Ability to coordinate with schools, health, and social systems
• Experience in child protection or community development

Monitoring and Evaluation

Programme performance is measured through:

• Number of families engaged
• Reach of awareness campaigns
• Improvement in reporting and referral mechanisms
• Community participation levels
• Effectiveness of training and capacity-building activities

Expected Outcomes

The initiative aims to achieve:

• Stronger community-based child protection systems
• Increased awareness of violence prevention mechanisms
• Improved identification and referral of abuse cases
• Enhanced community responsibility for child safety
• Sustainable local protection networks

How It Works / Implementation Approach

Step 1: Situational Assessment

• Conduct mapping of schools, communities, and families
• Collect data from education, health, and social services

Step 2: Community Engagement Design

• Identify target families and community groups
• Plan dialogue and awareness sessions

Step 3: Capacity Building

• Train local leaders, youth, and protection agents
• Strengthen referral and reporting systems

Step 4: Implementation of Activities

• Conduct community dialogues
• Run awareness campaigns
• Distribute educational materials

Step 5: Monitoring and Reporting

• Track participation and outcomes
• Submit progress reports
• Evaluate impact on child protection systems

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak integration with local service systems (schools, health, social assistance)
• Failing to include rural or vulnerable communities
• Lack of structured mapping and data use
• Poorly designed awareness materials
• Limited training of local stakeholders
• Insufficient focus on referral mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main goal of this UNICEF programme?

The programme aims to prevent violence, abuse, exploitation, and sexual harassment of children and adolescents through community-based protection systems.

2. Which areas are targeted in Brazil?

The programme focuses on Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás, and Ourilândia do Norte.

3. What is the funding amount?

The indicative budget for this initiative is $125,000.

4. Who benefits from this programme?

Children, adolescents, families, community members, and local leaders in selected municipalities.

5. What types of activities are included?

Activities include community mapping, awareness campaigns, dialogue sessions, training, and development of educational materials.

6. How many people will be reached?

Approximately 100 families will participate directly, and around 1,000 individuals will be reached through broader outreach.

7. What is the key focus of the approach?

The focus is on strengthening community-based child protection systems through prevention, awareness, and coordinated referral mechanisms.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s Brazil child protection initiative strengthens local systems to prevent violence and abuse against children through structured community engagement, data-driven planning, and capacity building. By focusing on awareness, referral mechanisms, and inclusive outreach, the programme aims to create safer environments for children and adolescents in vulnerable municipalities.