UNICEF is inviting organizations to strengthen gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation, and response services across crisis-affected areas of the Amhara region in Ethiopia. The programme supports survivor-centered care, community engagement, technical capacity building, and risk-reduction activities. Up to USD 250,000 is available for partners able to deliver measurable humanitarian protection outcomes for women and girls.

UNICEF Call for Proposals: Strengthening GBV Prevention and Response in Amhara, Ethiopia

Overview

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking qualified organizations to enhance gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation, and survivor-centered response services across the Amhara region. Target areas include Lay Gaynt, Wogera, Gondar Zuria, Debark Zuria, and Dabat Zuria. The initiative aims to ensure women and girls affected by conflict and crisis have consistent access to lifesaving, dignity-preserving support.

Why This Programme Matters

Humanitarian crises in Amhara have sharply increased GBV risks for women and girls. This call aims to:

• Expand the availability of survivor-centered services

• Strengthen technical skills among responders

• Improve safety and reduce GBV risks across sectors

• Support local women-led organizations

• Enhance community resilience and awareness

• Promote equitable access to essential protection services

Key Objectives

The programme focuses on four core areas:

1. Survivor-Centered GBV Response Services

Organizations will expand access to:

• Medical and clinical care

• Psychosocial support and counseling

• Case management and follow-up services

• Safe referral pathways

Delivery channels include women and girls’ safe spaces, mobile response teams, and one-stop centers.

2. GBV Risk Mitigation Across Sectors

Partners must integrate GBV risk-reduction strategies into:

• Health services

• Nutrition interventions

• WASH programming

• Other humanitarian sectors

Actions may include safety audits, facility improvements, and collaboration with non-GBV actors to enhance protective environments.

3. Community Engagement and Social Norms Change

Organizations will conduct targeted awareness efforts to:

• Promote service availability

• Address harmful gender norms

• Increase community understanding of GBV risks

• Improve help-seeking behavior among survivors

4. Capacity Strengthening of Women-Led Organizations

A central priority is enhancing the technical and operational capacity of local women’s organizations through:

• Training and mentorship

• Direct support for GBV service provision

• Leadership development

• Knowledge-sharing on survivor-centered approaches

Adolescent girls will also benefit from tailored sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and life-skills interventions.

Funding Details

• Total available funding: USD 250,000

• Expected results include:

  • Survivors accessing quality services

  • Service providers demonstrating improved competencies

  • Community members reached through awareness efforts

  • GBV safety audits completed

  • Strengthened women-led organizations with measurable knowledge gains

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• National and international NGOs

• Women-led organizations

• Civil society groups with relevant GBV experience

• Organizations with presence or operational capacity in Amhara

Ideal applicants should demonstrate:

• Expertise in GBV prevention and response

• Ability to deliver survivor-centered services

• Familiarity with humanitarian contexts

• Capacity to partner with local actors

• Strong monitoring and reporting systems

How to Apply

Required Steps

1. Review UNICEF’s call for proposals
   Confirm alignment with geographic focus and technical priorities.

2. Prepare a detailed technical proposal
   Include GBV response approach, risk-mitigation strategies, community engagement plans, and capacity-building components.

3. Develop a results-based workplan
   Provide indicators, targets, and timelines tied to UNICEF’s expected outcomes.

4. Submit an itemized budget
   Ensure costs reflect proposed activities and are consistent with humanitarian standards.

5. Demonstrate organizational capacity
   Provide evidence of experience, staff qualifications, and previous humanitarian programming.

6. Submit the application through UNICEF’s designated platform
   Follow the format and documentation requirements specified in the call.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals without clear, measurable indicators

• Overlooking GBV ethical standards and safe-programming principles

• Failing to demonstrate local partnerships, especially with women-led organizations

• Narrow focus on response without integrating GBV risk mitigation

• Incomplete budgets or missing justification notes

FAQ

1. Which areas of Amhara are targeted?

Lay Gaynt, Wogera, Gondar Zuria, Debark Zuria, and Dabat Zuria.

2. What types of services must partners provide?

Clinical care, case management, psychosocial support, safe referrals, and adolescent-focused interventions.

3. Is GBV risk mitigation required?

Yes. Applicants must integrate risk-reduction measures across sectors such as WASH, health, and nutrition.

4. Are local women-led organizations prioritized?

Yes. Capacity strengthening and meaningful engagement of women’s organizations are core requirements.

5. What is the funding ceiling?

Up to USD 250,000 for the entire call.

6. Can international NGOs apply?

Yes, provided they demonstrate strong GBV expertise and local implementation capacity.

7. What results must partners report?

Number of survivors served, staff trained, community reach, safety audits completed, and strengthened organizational capacity.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s GBV programme in Amhara offers a critical opportunity to enhance protection, expand lifesaving services, and build resilient community systems for women and girls affected by crisis. Through partnerships with qualified organizations, this initiative strengthens humanitarian response capacity and supports safer, more equitable environments across vulnerable communities.