Call for Expression of Interest: Protecting Children Affected by Displacement in Afghanistan

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting applications to support child protection and well-being for displaced, returnee, and stateless children in Afghanistan. The program prioritizes comprehensive case management, psychosocial support, and child-friendly spaces, with special attention to unaccompanied and separated children (UASC). Selected partners must align with UNHCR standards, coordinate with national child protection systems, and integrate protection, mental health, and community-based approaches.

Program Overview

This UNHCR funding opportunity aims to strengthen child protection systems and services in Afghanistan.

The initiative focuses on protecting children affected by:

• Forced displacement

• Return movements

• Statelessness

• Internal displacement

The goal is to ensure children grow up in safety, dignity, and with access to essential protection services.

Strategic Objectives

Funded partners are expected to:

1. Enhance child protection systems at national and sub-national levels

2. Prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence

3. Protect unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) returning to Afghanistan

4. Promote solutions aligned with the best interests of the child

5. Strengthen community-based protection mechanisms

Priority Focus Areas

1. Child Protection Services

Partners must improve:

• Availability of prevention services

• Accessibility of response services

• Identification and referral systems

• Safe reintegration pathways

Special focus is required for:

• Unaccompanied and separated children (UASC)

• Refugee children

• Internally displaced children

• Returnee children

• Stateless children

2. Comprehensive Case Management

Selected partners are expected to:

• Provide individualized case management

• Conduct best interest assessments (BIA)

• Facilitate family tracing and reunification

• Coordinate referrals across service providers

Case management must follow humanitarian protection standards.

3. Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services should:

• Address trauma and stress caused by displacement

• Strengthen coping mechanisms

• Support resilience and emotional recovery

• Integrate with protection case management

4. Establishment of Child-Friendly Spaces

Child-friendly spaces must:

• Provide safe environments

• Offer structured recreational and learning activities

• Support psychosocial recovery

• Enable monitoring of protection risks

These spaces are essential for early identification of protection concerns.

System Strengthening Approach

The program aims to strengthen:

• Afghanistan’s national child protection system

• Community-based child protection mechanisms

• Family-level protective capacities

Partners must work collaboratively with:

• Humanitarian actors

• Local authorities

• Families and communities

• Interagency protection networks

Coordination Requirements

Selected partners must actively engage in:

• Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AOR) at national and sub-national levels

• Child Protection Action Network (CPAN)

• Interagency coordination mechanisms

• Joint frameworks with UNICEF

This ensures alignment with:

• UNHCR child protection policies

• Minimum humanitarian standards

• Protection and safeguarding frameworks

Cross-Sector Integration

Strong proposals should demonstrate capacity to integrate:

• Child protection services

• Protection case management

• Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)

• Community awareness initiatives

Child participation in decision-making is strongly encouraged. Children’s voices must be included in matters affecting their well-being.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be legally registered organizations

• Demonstrate experience in child protection programming

• Show operational capacity in Afghanistan

• Adhere to UNHCR sector standards

• Demonstrate coordination experience within humanitarian systems

Partners are strongly encouraged to:

• Engage in protection case management

• Integrate MHPSS programming

• Work with host, returnee, and displaced communities

Why This Program Matters

Afghanistan faces ongoing displacement, return movements, and vulnerability among children.

This initiative addresses:

• Increased protection risks

• Family separation

• Exposure to violence and exploitation

• Mental health challenges

• Weak child protection infrastructure

By strengthening coordinated protection responses, the program helps build sustainable systems that prioritize children’s best interests.

Expected Results

Funded partners should contribute to:

• Reduced child protection risks

• Increased access to case management services

• Improved psychosocial well-being

• Strengthened family reunification mechanisms

• Greater community awareness of child rights

• Stronger interagency coordination

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Assess Organizational Capacity

Ensure you can:

• Deliver case management services

• Operate child-friendly spaces

• Provide MHPSS programming

• Coordinate within CP AOR and CPAN structures

Step 2: Design an Integrated Protection Proposal

Your proposal should:

• Clearly define target populations

• Explain referral pathways

• Include measurable protection outcomes

• Demonstrate cross-sector integration

• Include child participation mechanisms

Step 3: Align with UNHCR Standards

Confirm compliance with:

• UNHCR child protection policies

• Safeguarding standards

• Humanitarian minimum standards

• Data protection and confidentiality principles

Step 4: Demonstrate Coordination Capacity

Include:

• Participation in national and sub-national coordination platforms

• Partnerships with other humanitarian actors

• Collaboration plans with UNICEF frameworks

Step 5: Submit Application

Follow UNHCR’s official submission guidelines and ensure all required documentation is included.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing standalone activities without integration

• Weak coordination strategy

• No clear case management framework

• Insufficient focus on UASC

• Limited evidence of operational capacity

• Lack of measurable outcomes

Strong proposals are comprehensive, coordinated, and standards-compliant.

Key Definitions

Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC): Children who are separated from both parents or primary caregivers.

Protection Case Management: A structured process for assessing, planning, and supporting individual protection cases.

MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support): Services that address psychological and social well-being in humanitarian contexts.

Child-Friendly Space: A structured safe environment where children receive psychosocial and protection support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is the target population?

Refugee, internally displaced, returnee, and stateless children in Afghanistan.

2. Is psychosocial support mandatory?

Yes. Integration of MHPSS with child protection programming is strongly encouraged.

3. Are unaccompanied children a priority group?

Yes. UASC returning to Afghanistan are a key focus.

4. Must partners coordinate with national systems?

Yes. Active engagement in CP AOR, CPAN, and interagency forums is required.

5. Can organizations propose only awareness campaigns?

No. Awareness activities must be embedded within comprehensive protection interventions.

6. What standards must partners follow?

Partners must adhere to UNHCR protection standards and applicable humanitarian sector guidelines.

7. Is cross-sector programming encouraged?

Yes. Integration of child protection, case management, and MHPSS is strongly recommended.

Conclusion

The UNHCR Afghanistan Child Protection funding opportunity seeks experienced partners capable of delivering comprehensive, coordinated, and standards-aligned protection services for displaced and vulnerable children. By integrating case management, psychosocial support, child participation, and interagency collaboration, selected organizations will contribute to safer environments and sustainable protection systems for children affected by displacement and return.

Organizations with strong operational capacity and experience in child protection in humanitarian settings are encouraged to submit integrated, impact-driven proposals aligned with UNHCR priorities.