Deadline: 07-Feb-2026

UNHCR Romania invites organizations to submit proposals supporting forcibly displaced and stateless populations across Romania. With a budget of $12,000,000, the initiative prioritizes education, livelihoods, protection, gender equality, youth leadership, inclusion of marginalized groups, psychosocial support, and community-based social cohesion programs.

Overview

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking partnerships with refugee-led and community-based organizations to support forcibly displaced and stateless populations in Romania. The initiative focuses on strengthening protection, inclusion, and integration services, addressing specific needs, and promoting social cohesion between refugee communities and host populations.

Focus Areas and Thematic Priorities

The initiative targets interventions across Romania, including the following counties: Maramures, Mures, Alba, Hunedoara, Sibiu, Buzau, Arad, Bucharest, Timis, Teleorman, Covasna, Suceava, Iasi, Vrancea, Brasov, Braila, Damboviţa, Cluj, Arges, Dolj, Constanta, Vaslui, Prahova, Caras-Severin, Gorj, Botosani, Galaţi, Olt, Bistriţa-Nasaud, Salaj, Neamţ, Bihor, and other listed regions.

Key thematic priorities include:

• Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: Strengthening women’s networks, preventing violence against women and girls, promoting gender equity, and increasing access to education, employment, and healthcare.

• Youth Leadership and Participation: Supporting social, educational, and personal development for young refugees and displaced children.

• Education and Lifelong Learning: Early childhood, primary, secondary, and adult education programs that foster integration and skill development.

• Livelihoods and Community Mobilization: Promoting coexistence with host communities, self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and employment access.

• Protection Services: Child protection, gender-based violence response, general protection, safe spaces, and legal assistance.

• Inclusion of Marginalized Groups: LGBTIQ+ and Roma refugee inclusion, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: Community-based psychosocial programs and support for staff and beneficiaries.

• Peaceful Coexistence and Social Cohesion: Cultural exchange, grassroots initiatives, and community dialogue to foster understanding and mutual respect.

Indicative Budget

The total indicative budget for this Call for Expression of Interest is $12,000,000. Funding will prioritize projects that:

• Address the needs of forcibly displaced or stateless populations.

• Provide tailored services for vulnerable groups, including women, girls, LGBTIQ+, Roma, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

• Demonstrate measurable impact on inclusion, protection, and community integration.

H2: Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Refugee-led organizations.

• Community-based organizations and civil society partners operating in Romania.

• NGOs and institutions with demonstrated experience in protection, education, livelihoods, social cohesion, or gender-based interventions.

Why This Initiative Matters

• Supports refugee and displaced populations in accessing essential services and opportunities.

• Promotes empowerment, inclusion, and self-reliance among marginalized groups.

• Strengthens social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between refugee communities and host populations.

• Enhances educational, economic, and psychosocial outcomes, contributing to long-term integration.

• Builds community-based networks, partnerships, and local capacity to address the needs of vulnerable populations.

How to Apply / How the Program Works

1. Expression of Interest Submission: Organizations submit proposals demonstrating experience in protection, education, inclusion, livelihoods, and social cohesion.

2. Proposal Evaluation: Applications are assessed for organizational capacity, alignment with thematic priorities, inclusivity, and expected impact.

3. Project Planning: Selected organizations develop detailed workplans addressing gender, youth, inclusion, protection, and social cohesion interventions.

4. Implementation: Delivery of education programs, protection services, livelihood initiatives, psychosocial support, and inclusion activities.

5. Monitoring and Reporting: Track progress, evaluate impact on refugees, marginalized groups, and host communities, and submit periodic reports.

6. Community Engagement: Encourage participation in civic, cultural, and educational activities that foster integration, dialogue, and mutual respect.

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Weak alignment with priorities: Ensure proposals directly address UNHCR thematic areas (education, protection, livelihoods, inclusion).

• Neglecting marginalized groups: Highlight actions supporting women, children, LGBTIQ+, Roma, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

• Incomplete proposals: Include all required documentation, budgets, and detailed workplans.

• Limited geographic coverage: Clearly indicate the targeted counties or municipalities in Romania.

• Insufficient impact indicators: Provide measurable outcomes and monitoring strategies.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Who can apply? A1: Refugee-led, community-based, and civil society organizations operating in Romania.
Q2: What is the total budget? A2: $12,000,000.
Q3: Which populations are prioritized? A3: Forcibly displaced persons, stateless populations, women and girls, youth, LGBTIQ+, Roma, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
Q4: Which regions are covered? A4: Multiple counties across Romania, including Maramures, Mures, Alba, Hunedoara, Sibiu, Buzau, Arad, Bucharest, and more.
Q5: What types of interventions are supported? A5: Education, livelihoods, protection, social cohesion, gender equality, youth leadership, mental health, and inclusion programs.
Q6: How is impact measured? A6: Through monitoring outcomes in education, livelihoods, psychosocial support, inclusion, and community engagement.
Q7: Does the call support integration and social cohesion? A7: Yes, projects fostering peaceful coexistence, cultural exchange, dialogue, and host community engagement are encouraged.

Conclusion

UNHCR Romania’s Call for Expression of Interest provides a comprehensive platform for organizations to support forcibly displaced, stateless, and marginalized populations. By promoting education, protection, inclusion, livelihoods, youth leadership, and social cohesion, funded initiatives will contribute to long-term integration, empowerment, and community resilience across Romania.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.