Grants to improve Child Outcomes through Education, Social Protection and Child Protection in Lower Juba, Somalia

Deadline: 10-Feb-2026

UNICEF Somalia has issued a Call for Expression of Interest to support integrated interventions for children and communities in Lower Juba.

The initiative focuses on multi-sectoral programs in education, child protection, and social protection, prioritizing vulnerable children, disability inclusion, gender equality, and resilience-building at the community level.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a Call for Expression of Interest to improve outcomes for children and communities in Somalia’s Lower Juba region.

This initiative targets integrated, community-level interventions that strengthen education, child protection, and social protection systems while addressing cross-cutting vulnerabilities.

Purpose of the Call

The program is designed to:

• Enhance education access and quality for children, including out-of-school populations

• Strengthen child protection systems and services

• Improve social protection mechanisms and safety nets for vulnerable households

• Promote equity, inclusion, and resilience in community-based interventions

Key Intervention Areas

1. Education

• Support early childhood development

• Improve learning outcomes across age groups

• Facilitate access for out-of-school children

• Integrate education into emergency preparedness and response initiatives

2. Child Protection

• Prevent and respond to violence against children

• Address gender-based violence and provide support for survivors

• Facilitate family reunification and access to justice

• Ensure protection in emergency contexts

3. Social Protection

• Strengthen social safety nets for vulnerable households

• Promote programs that help families cope with shocks and stresses

• Support equitable and shock-responsive social protection systems

4. Cross-Cutting Priorities

• Disability inclusion and accessibility

• Gender equality and women’s empowerment

• Emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction

• Integration across sectors for maximum impact

Alignment with National and Global Frameworks

• United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Somalia 2026–2030

• Somalia National Transformation Plan

• Relevant sectoral strategies for education, child protection, and social policy

The initiative emphasizes equity by reaching underserved populations, resilience by strengthening community capacities, and the humanitarian–development–peace nexus to ensure sustainable, integrated outcomes.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organizations with strong local presence in Lower Juba

• Organizations with experience in delivering integrated education, child protection, and social protection programs

• Entities capable of designing inclusive, equitable, and community-focused interventions

How to Apply

1. Review the UNICEF Somalia Call for Expression of Interest guidelines

2. Prepare a proposal outlining:

   • Multi-sectoral interventions and integration strategy

   • Community reach and target beneficiaries

   • Plans for inclusion, resilience, and equity

   • Expected outcomes and measurable impact

3. Submit the proposal according to the official instructions provided by UNICEF

4. Await engagement for potential partnership and project implementation

Why This Call Matters

• Ensures vulnerable children in Lower Juba receive integrated services to improve well-being and resilience

• Strengthens local systems to provide sustainable education, protection, and social support

• Promotes inclusive approaches addressing disability, gender, and emergency preparedness

• Supports long-term development and rights-based outcomes for children and communities

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate strong local presence and operational capacity in Lower Juba

• Clearly describe integrated, multi-sectoral approaches

• Highlight plans for inclusive participation and equity

• Include mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement

• Align project objectives with UNICEF’s strategic priorities and national frameworks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals without evidence of local operational presence

• Failing to integrate education, child protection, and social protection approaches

• Ignoring cross-cutting priorities such as gender, disability, or emergency preparedness

• Providing insufficient detail on expected outcomes or impact measurement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply?

Civil society organizations with local presence and sectoral expertise in Lower Juba.

What is the focus of the initiative?

Integrated education, child protection, and social protection interventions for vulnerable children and communities.

Which children are prioritized?

Children affected by conflict, emergencies, disability, gender-based vulnerabilities, or social exclusion.

Are cross-cutting themes important?

Yes. Disability inclusion, gender equality, women’s empowerment, and emergency preparedness are central to all interventions.

How does the initiative align with broader strategies?

It aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030, Somalia’s National Transformation Plan, and relevant sectoral policies.

What outcomes are expected?

Improved education access and quality, strengthened child protection, enhanced social safety nets, and resilient community systems.

How should proposals be structured?

Proposals should demonstrate multi-sectoral integration, equity, community reach, and clear measurable outcomes.

Conclusion

This UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest provides civil society organizations in Lower Juba the opportunity to deliver integrated, child-centered interventions.

By combining education, protection, and social policy programs, the initiative strengthens resilience, promotes inclusion, and ensures sustainable positive outcomes for children and communities in Somalia.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.