Deadline: 14-Aug-2025
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting grant applications for a Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) project aimed at improving social infrastructure in the Amhara and Tigray regional states of Ethiopia.
The program focuses on cross-sectoral areas, particularly communication for development. Civil society organizations (CSOs) will be expected to implement projects that promote the value of education and inclusive learning, enhance menstrual hygiene management, and prevent harmful gender norms, school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV), online violence, and child marriage.
The initiative includes six sectoral components: health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, child protection, and social protection. These areas work together to create safer, healthier, and more inclusive school environments.
One of the key expected outcomes is the establishment of improved feedback and complaints mechanisms related to school construction, rehabilitation, WASH services, and educational facilities. CSOs should help foster greater community ownership, accountability, and engagement in 23 target schools by setting up functional complaint systems and advocating for better service delivery through partnerships.
Another expected result is improved WASH practices, greater appreciation for education, and a shift in behavior regarding harmful practices among children, parents, and the broader school community. CSOs will work to increase knowledge and encourage positive behaviors around basic service access and social norms.
Eligible CSOs must have been previously shortlisted on UNICEF’s roster for implementing partners. They must be legally recognized non-profit civil society organizations—either community-based, national, or international—and registered on the UN Partner Portal. A local presence in Amhara and Tigray is also required.
Selection will be based on the applicant’s organizational capacity and technical expertise in SBC in education, the quality and feasibility of proposed interventions, child safeguarding measures, emergency preparedness, and program management efficiency.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
