Deadline: 16-Mar-2026
UNICEF Kyrgyzstan seeks organizations to strengthen community engagement for routine immunization in Naryn oblast, addressing vaccine hesitancy and improving vaccination coverage. The initiative targets parents, community leaders, and under-vaccinated children through awareness campaigns, network mapping, and capacity building. The project supports equitable access to vaccines in rural, mountainous areas with a proposed budget of $50,000 USD.
Overview of the Initiative
The UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) in Naryn oblast aims to improve routine childhood immunization coverage and reduce vaccine hesitancy. Community engagement is central to ensuring equitable access to vaccines in rural and remote areas of Kyrgyzstan.
Objectives
The initiative focuses on:
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Increasing social acceptance of immunization among families.
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Supporting families with unvaccinated children and reducing missed vaccinations.
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Mapping social and community networks to identify influential leaders.
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Building the capacity of at least 1,000 community leaders to promote vaccines.
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Engaging at least 20,000 parents through community events and information campaigns.
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Identifying at least 1,000 under-vaccinated children and facilitating referrals to vaccination services.
Context and Need
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Kyrgyzstan Progress: While immunization coverage has improved, gaps remain, particularly in remote regions like Naryn oblast.
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COVID-19 Impact: Pandemic disruptions caused a decline in routine vaccinations and increased vaccine hesitancy.
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Geographic Challenges: Naryn oblast is rural and mountainous, limiting access to healthcare services and reliable health information.
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Community Influence: Families rely on trusted local and religious leaders for guidance, making community engagement critical.
Key Strategies
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Partner with community and religious leaders to deliver culturally appropriate immunization messages.
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Use network mapping to identify influential actors and under-vaccinated households.
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Conduct capacity-building sessions for community leaders to increase advocacy for vaccination.
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Organize community events to raise awareness and acceptance of vaccines.
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Collaborate with healthcare facilities to ensure efficient referral and delivery of vaccines.
Who is Eligible?
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Non-profit organizations, NGOs, or community-based groups registered in Kyrgyzstan.
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Organizations with experience in public health, immunization campaigns, or community engagement.
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Entities capable of reaching remote, rural, or hard-to-access communities.
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Partners able to collaborate with local medical facilities and health authorities.
How to Apply / What to Do
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Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your organization meets local registration and operational requirements.
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Partnerships: Engage with local medical facilities to align proposed interventions with service delivery.
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Proposal Preparation: Include:
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Plan for engaging parents, community leaders, and local networks.
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Strategy for mapping social networks and identifying under-vaccinated children.
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Budget detailing activities within the $50,000 USD indicative funding.
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Submission: Follow UNICEF’s official EOI guidelines for format and deadlines.
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Implementation Readiness: Prepare to coordinate with local health services and UNICEF technical teams if selected.
Tips for a Strong Application
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Highlight previous experience in rural or hard-to-reach communities.
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Demonstrate capacity to mobilize community and religious leaders.
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Include monitoring and reporting plans for tracking under-vaccinated children.
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Show alignment with culturally appropriate communication strategies.
FAQs
1. What is the focus of this initiative?
Strengthening community engagement to increase immunization coverage and reduce vaccine hesitancy in Naryn oblast.
2. Who are the target beneficiaries?
Parents of young children, under-vaccinated children, and community leaders in rural areas.
3. How many community leaders will be trained?
At least 1,000 leaders will receive capacity-building to promote immunization.
4. How many parents are expected to be reached?
A minimum of 20,000 parents through events and awareness campaigns.
5. What is the proposed budget?
The indicative budget for the initiative is $50,000 USD.
6. Must organizations partner with healthcare facilities?
Yes, collaboration ensures accurate targeting and referral of under-vaccinated children.
7. How does the initiative address vaccine hesitancy?
By engaging trusted community networks, delivering culturally appropriate messages, and providing education to families and leaders.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s EOI in Naryn oblast represents a strategic, community-based approach to improving childhood immunization coverage in Kyrgyzstan. By empowering community and religious leaders, engaging parents, and facilitating access for under-vaccinated children, this initiative ensures that vaccines reach every child, even in remote and underserved areas, reducing preventable diseases and strengthening public health resilience.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.