Deadline: 24-May-2026
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR has issued a Call for Expression of Interest inviting qualified organizations to partner in implementing an inclusive education and community empowerment project for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities across multiple regions of Mali. The initiative is supported by the Mastercard Foundation and is designed to strengthen self-reliance, economic inclusion, and durable solutions in displacement-affected communities.
The programme focuses on improving livelihoods, financial inclusion, vocational skills, and access to employment opportunities for vulnerable populations.
Programme Overview
This initiative supports integrated interventions that combine education, livelihoods, and economic empowerment. It aims to strengthen resilience and self-reliance among displaced populations and host communities through sustainable livelihood systems.
The project prioritizes youth empowerment, especially young women aged 18 to 35, and promotes localized, community-driven implementation approaches.
Humanitarian Context in Mali
Since 2012, Mali has faced a prolonged crisis characterized by:
- Persistent insecurity and armed conflict
- Large-scale forced displacement
- Weak socio-economic systems in affected regions
- Reduced access to employment and basic services
These conditions have significantly impacted livelihoods and economic inclusion opportunities in central and northern Mali.
Geographic Coverage
The programme will be implemented across:
- Ménaka
- Gao
- Mopti
- Ségou
- Kayes
- Koulikoro
These regions represent high-need displacement and vulnerability zones.
Target Groups
The primary beneficiaries include:
- Refugees
- Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
- Host community members
- Youth aged 18–35 (priority group)
- Young women (special focus group)
- Members of community-based organizations
The programme aims to reach:
- 3,000 beneficiaries in 2026
- 16,000 beneficiaries over the full programme duration
Key Focus Areas
The project supports a wide range of economic and education interventions:
- Cash and voucher assistance
- Microfinance and microcredit systems
- Revolving loan fund mechanisms
- Self-reliance and livelihood development
- Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
- Smallholder agricultural market support
- Entrepreneurship and business development
- Financial inclusion and access to services
- Employment creation and wage job access
- Skills development for income generation
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Increase access to wage and self-employment opportunities
- Strengthen technical and entrepreneurial skills
- Improve financial inclusion for vulnerable groups
- Enhance income generation and economic autonomy
- Promote social cohesion and peaceful coexistence
- Support sustainable livelihood systems
- Advance durable solutions for displaced populations
Implementation Approach
The programme adopts a localization and partnership model that emphasizes:
- Community-based organization engagement
- Support for displaced-led organizations
- Accountability to affected populations (AAP)
- Age, gender, and diversity (AGD) mainstreaming
- Strong collaboration with local actors
- Sustainable livelihood systems development
Required Application Submission
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the UN Partner Portal and include:
Mandatory documents:
- Concept note
- Detailed project budget
- Procurement capacity self-assessment
- Partner declaration form
- Valid registration certificate
- Organizational statutes
- Procurement policy manual
- Administrative and financial procedures manual
- Security management plan
- Fraud prevention policy
- Code of conduct
Additional requirement (for first-time partners):
- Audit reports for the last 3 years
All documents must be submitted as a single compressed ZIP file.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed using a weighted scoring system:
- Sector expertise and experience – 35%
- Local presence and contextual knowledge – 20%
- Project management capacity – 15%
- Experience working with UN agencies – 10%
- Resource contribution – 10%
- Protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) compliance and flexibility – 10%
Preference will be given to organizations demonstrating:
- Strong local partnerships
- Deep contextual understanding
- Proven experience with community-led implementation
Why the Programme Matters
- Strengthens economic resilience in displacement settings
- Expands livelihood opportunities for vulnerable youth
- Promotes financial inclusion in fragile contexts
- Supports long-term self-reliance and stability
- Enhances skills development and employability
- Encourages locally led humanitarian responses
- Builds sustainable pathways to durable solutions
Conclusion
The UNHCR inclusive education and economic empowerment initiative in Mali is a large-scale partnership programme designed to improve livelihoods, skills development, and financial inclusion for displaced populations and host communities. By combining vocational training, microfinance systems, and community-led implementation, the programme supports long-term self-reliance and resilience across conflict-affected regions.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.