Call for EOIs: UNHCR Education and Community Empowerment Grant (Mali)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR has launched a Call for Expression of Interest to strengthen inclusive education and community empowerment for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across Mali. The initiative focuses on improving access to education, skills development, and socio-economic opportunities for vulnerable populations affected by prolonged displacement.

The programme prioritizes adolescents, youth, and girls who face structural barriers to education and employment due to insecurity and socio-economic hardship.

Programme Overview

This initiative supports integrated interventions that strengthen:

• Access to secondary and tertiary education
• Educational retention and progression across learning levels
• Completion of academic pathways
• Vocational training and employability skills
• Gender equality and girls’ empowerment
• Disability inclusion in education systems
• Protection from gender-based violence
• Community participation and social cohesion

The programme responds to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Mali, which has significantly disrupted education systems and learning opportunities.

Humanitarian Context in Mali

Mali continues to experience:

• Prolonged insecurity and armed conflict
• Large-scale forced displacement
• Weak educational infrastructure in affected regions
• Barriers to mobility and school attendance
• Economic hardship affecting vulnerable households

These challenges have disproportionately impacted displaced children and youth, especially in conflict-affected areas.

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports interventions in:

• Access to formal education (secondary and higher education)
• Retention and reduction of school dropout rates
• Progression between education cycles
• Skills development and vocational training
• Youth employability and workforce readiness
• Girls’ education and empowerment initiatives
• Inclusive education for persons with disabilities
• Protection and safeguarding in learning environments
• Community engagement and social cohesion activities

Programme Objectives

The main objectives include:

• Expand equitable access to education for displaced and host communities
• Improve educational retention and completion rates
• Strengthen skills development for youth employability
• Promote gender equality in education systems
• Support safe and inclusive learning environments
• Enhance long-term socio-economic resilience of youth
• Strengthen community participation in education delivery

Target Groups

The programme primarily targets:

• Refugees
• Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
• Returnees and repatriated populations
• Host community members
• Adolescents and youth
• Girls and young women (priority group)
• Persons with disabilities

Expected Outcomes

• Increased access to secondary and tertiary education
• Improved school retention and completion rates
• Enhanced vocational and technical skills among youth
• Greater employment readiness and livelihood opportunities
• Reduced gender and social barriers in education
• Strengthened protection mechanisms in learning environments
• Improved social cohesion between displaced and host communities

Implementation Approach

The programme emphasizes:

• Partnership with organizations with local presence and expertise
• Community-based education support systems
• Gender-responsive and inclusive programming
• Protection-sensitive education delivery
• Integration of skills training with academic pathways
• Collaboration with education and protection stakeholders

Eligible organizations must demonstrate technical expertise, operational capacity, and experience working in education, protection, or humanitarian response contexts.

Why the Programme Matters

• Restores access to education in conflict-affected regions
• Reduces school dropout rates among vulnerable youth
• Strengthens pathways from education to employment
• Promotes gender equality in learning opportunities
• Builds resilience among displaced populations
• Supports long-term social and economic stability
• Enhances inclusive and safe education systems

Conclusion

The UNHCR inclusive education and youth empowerment initiative in Mali is a strategic programme designed to improve access to education, skills development, and protection for displaced and vulnerable communities. By focusing on retention, progression, and employability, the initiative strengthens long-term opportunities for youth while promoting inclusive and resilient education systems across conflict-affected regions.