Call for EOIs: Support Community-Led Child Health and Behavior Change in Sudan

UNICEF is inviting applications to support its Social and Behavior Change (SBC) programme in Sudan, aimed at improving child health, nutrition, protection, and early learning. The initiative uses community engagement, behavioral science, and cross-sectoral strategies to foster sustainable social change, particularly for women, children, adolescents, and marginalized populations.

About the Programme

The UNICEF Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Programme in Sudan is a cross-sectoral strategy designed to influence behaviors and practices that improve child-focused outcomes. The programme integrates evidence-based behavioral science, community engagement, and communication strategies to address social, cognitive, and structural determinants of change.

Focus Areas

The programme emphasizes the following areas:

• Child Health and Nutrition: Promoting positive practices for maternal, infant, and child health.

• Early Learning: Supporting early childhood development initiatives.

• Child Protection: Reducing violence against children through awareness and community action.

• Sanitation and Hygiene: Encouraging safe WASH practices in communities.

• Community Engagement: Mobilizing communities and volunteer networks to participate in decision-making and monitoring.

• Policy Advocacy and Systems Strengthening: Supporting local governance and service delivery improvements.

Target Populations

The programme targets:

• Women, children, adolescents, and youth

• Vulnerable populations such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, indigenous groups, and hard-to-reach communities

• Community volunteer networks and local leaders with focus on women and youth for rights-based engagement

Geographic Coverage

SBC interventions will operate across:

• South Kordofan

• White Nile

• Blue Nile

• West Kordofan

• North Kordofan

• Sennar

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthened community structures: Engaging communities in planning, implementation, and monitoring of child-focused initiatives.

• Evidence-informed social mobilization: Developing localized strategies supported by behavioral tracking.

• Empowered communities: Promoting positive child-focused behaviors and inclusive participation.

• Increased accountability: Establishing safe, accessible communication platforms for community feedback.

• Capacity building: Training and mentoring State Ministry of Health Promoters in RCCE, behavioral insight generation, crisis communication, and multi-hazard preparedness.

Key Activities

• Community engagement, mobilization, and dialogue facilitation

• Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) interventions

• Applied behavioral science research and insights generation

• Service delivery improvement and localized solution design

• Policy advocacy and systems strengthening initiatives

• Training and mentoring of community and government actors

Eligibility Criteria

• Civil society organizations (CSOs), NGOs, and community-based organizations with experience in child-focused social or behavioral programs in Sudan.

• Demonstrated ability to engage marginalized populations and implement inclusive interventions.

• Capacity to coordinate with local government, health, and education actors.

How to Apply

1. Ensure your organization meets eligibility criteria and has experience in child-focused community programming.

2. Prepare a proposal detailing planned interventions, target populations, geographic focus, and expected outcomes.

3. Include capacity-building and monitoring approaches for community volunteer networks and leaders.

4. Submit the application through UNICEF’s official submission portal or the provided application channels.

Why This Programme Matters

The UNICEF SBC Programme:

• Uses behavioral science and community engagement to drive sustainable change

• Strengthens child health, protection, nutrition, and early learning outcomes

• Ensures inclusive participation of marginalized and vulnerable populations

• Builds community and institutional capacity for long-term resilience

FAQs

1. Who can apply? Civil society organizations, NGOs, and community-based organizations active in Sudan.

2. What areas are covered? South Kordofan, White Nile, Blue Nile, West Kordofan, North Kordofan, and Sennar.

3. What outcomes are expected? Strengthened community structures, positive behavioral changes, improved child health, nutrition, protection, and early learning outcomes.

4. Are marginalized populations prioritized? Yes, including IDPs, refugees, indigenous groups, and other hard-to-reach communities.

5. Does the programme provide training? Yes, for State Ministry of Health Promoters and community volunteer networks in RCCE, crisis communication, and behavioral insight generation.

6. Is collaboration with government required? Yes, coordination with local authorities and service providers is integral.

7. What types of interventions are eligible? Community engagement, social mobilization, communication campaigns, capacity building, policy advocacy, and service delivery improvements.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s Social and Behavior Change Programme in Sudan empowers communities to adopt positive child-focused behaviors, strengthens local systems, and fosters sustainable social change. By combining behavioral science, community engagement, and cross-sectoral strategies, the initiative ensures inclusive, evidence-based interventions that improve child health, nutrition, protection, and early learning outcomes.