Call for Expression of Interest: Advancing Quality Basic Education in Benin

Deadline: 13-Mar-2026

UNICEF is inviting Expressions of Interest to strengthen access to inclusive, quality basic education for children and adolescents in Borgou Department, Benin. The initiative emphasizes school readiness, foundational learning, gender equity, youth participation, vocational skills, and community engagement, aiming to reduce dropout rates and improve education outcomes across the region.

Program Overview

The UNICEF Borgou Education Initiative seeks to improve equitable access to quality basic education while addressing systemic barriers to school retention and learning outcomes. The program focuses on:

• Strengthening school readiness and foundational skills for children at primary and lower secondary levels

• Promoting gender equity and girls’ active participation in decision-making

• Expanding parallel education pathways, including vocational training and entrepreneurship

• Engaging communities, parents, and civil society to support inclusive education

• Enhancing government and municipal capacity for planning, monitoring, and delivering quality education services

This initiative aligns with the 2018–2030 Education Sector Plan, the National Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and the National Intersectoral Program for Accelerating Girls’ Education and Well-being (adopted July 2024).

Focus Areas

Access to Quality Basic Education

• Improve foundational learning in literacy, numeracy, and life skills

• Support school retention for children and adolescents, particularly girls and children with disabilities

• Strengthen school environments and educational infrastructure to foster safe, inclusive, and welcoming learning spaces

Gender Equity and Youth Engagement

• Equip adolescent girls with life skills and leadership opportunities

• Encourage active participation of youth in decisions affecting their education

• Promote equal access to educational resources and opportunities for all students

Alternative and Parallel Education

• Expand access to parallel education programs for out-of-school children

• Provide vocational training and entrepreneurship capacity-building opportunities through partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises

• Implement cash transfer strategies to incentivize girls’ education

Community and Stakeholder Involvement

• Strengthen collaboration with local government, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society organizations

• Promote parental and community engagement in monitoring and advocating for quality education services

• Foster multisectoral synergies using schools and communities as entry points for broader development initiatives

Education Governance and Capacity Building

• Support local authorities in delivering inclusive and quality education services

• Enhance coordination, planning, monitoring, and evaluation at municipal and national levels

• Build technical and operational capacity among education authorities and institutions

Context and Need

• Benin has tripled primary school enrollment over the past three decades, yet education quality and completion rates remain a challenge

• Projected primary school completion for 2024 is 68.9%

• Northern departments like Alibori and Atacora face significantly lower rates, while Borgou and Donga perform better but still show high dropout rates

• Out-of-school children remain a critical concern, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions in the Borgou region

Who is Eligible?

• NGOs, civil society organizations, and education-focused institutions operating in Borgou Department

• Applicants must demonstrate experience in inclusive education, gender equity, or youth-focused educational programs

• Organizations should be capable of collaborating with government authorities, community leaders, and private sector partners

How to Apply

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Include organizational profile, past experience, and proposed activities

2. Define Target Groups: Specify children and adolescents to benefit, with focus on girls, out-of-school children, and children with disabilities

3. Outline Implementation Plan: Detail interventions across schools, communities, and municipalities in Borgou

4. Provide Monitoring Framework: Describe how progress will be measured, including impact indicators and evaluation plans

5. Demonstrate Partnerships: Highlight collaborations with government institutions, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, and private sector actors

Program Benefits

• Improved access and retention in primary and lower secondary education

• Empowered adolescent girls with life skills and decision-making opportunities

• Increased vocational and entrepreneurial skills for youth

• Strengthened community engagement in education delivery and monitoring

• Enhanced capacity of government and local authorities to deliver inclusive and quality education

FAQs

1. Who can apply?

Civil society organizations, NGOs, and institutions with experience in inclusive or alternative education in Borgou, Benin.

2. What age groups are targeted?

Children and adolescents at primary and lower secondary levels, including out-of-school children and those with disabilities.

3. Does the program support vocational skills development?

Yes, parallel education programs include vocational and entrepreneurship training through partnerships with SMEs.

4. How does UNICEF address gender disparities?

Through life skills training, cash transfers to families to incentivize girls’ education, and empowerment programs promoting girls’ participation in decision-making.

5. Which stakeholders are involved in implementation?

Government authorities, civil society organizations, religious and traditional leaders, community members, and private sector partners.

6. How is program impact monitored?

Through structured monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems at school, municipal, and national levels, with a focus on learning outcomes and equity indicators.

7. What is the duration of implementation?

The program operates in alignment with UNICEF’s five-year Country Programme framework, with specific activities scheduled as part of annual workplans in Borgou Department.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s initiative in Borgou Department addresses persistent education gaps, focusing on inclusion, gender equity, and out-of-school children. By improving foundational learning, promoting youth participation, expanding vocational opportunities, and engaging communities, the program aims to strengthen education outcomes and foster sustainable development in northern Benin.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.