Deadline: 06-Mar-2026
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Eswatini is inviting Expressions of Interest from NGOs to deliver integrated gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, violence against children (VAC) interventions, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing health crisis. The initiative is supported by an indicative budget of $100,000.
Background
In Eswatini, high levels of inequality, poverty, HIV prevalence, and the ongoing health crisis have compounded risks of violence, mental health challenges, and social vulnerability—particularly for children, adolescents, and young people.
UNICEF seeks to partner with capable non-governmental organizations to implement community-based, peer-led, and multi-sectoral interventions to strengthen protection systems and improve access to timely support services.
Key Focus Areas
The initiative will prioritise:
• Strengthening adolescent-led teen clubs for children and adolescents living with HIV
• Building capacity of multi-sector community structures and frontline workers
• Establishing integrated peer-led service delivery models for MHPSS
• Delivering GBV and VAC prevention and response services
• Promoting HIV treatment adherence through peer support
Program Components
1. Strengthening Adolescent-Led Teen Clubs
The program will equip children and adolescents living with HIV to provide peer support on:
• HIV treatment adherence
• Gender-based violence prevention and response
• Violence against children prevention
• Mental health and psychosocial support
Support will include:
• Targeted training
• Structured supervision
• Provision of essential club resources and materials
2. Capacity Building of Community Structures
The initiative will strengthen multi-sector structures in high-violence areas, including:
• Social services personnel
• Law enforcement
• Education sector staff
• Health sector professionals
Training will focus on:
• Peer education and community engagement
• Promoting positive parenting practices
• Challenging harmful social norms
• Providing psychological first aid
• Strengthening referral systems for at-risk children and families
Expected Results
The program aims to achieve the following outcomes:
• Reach 2,500 children and adolescents
• Reach 2,500 young women
• Reach 500 young men
• Ensure at least 20% of beneficiaries are living with HIV
• Fully equip and capacitate 15 adolescent-led teen clubs
• Train 500 multi-sector community and frontline workers
Beneficiaries will receive critical services related to violence prevention and response, HIV peer support, and mental health or psychosocial care.
Budget
The initiative is supported by an indicative budget of $100,000, covering:
• Training and supervision
• Teen club materials and equipment
• Integrated service delivery
• Community engagement activities
Eligibility
UNICEF Eswatini is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified non-governmental organizations with:
• Experience in GBV, VAC, and child protection programming
• Expertise in MHPSS and community-based interventions
• Capacity to implement peer-led and adolescent-centered models
• Strong coordination skills across multi-sector partners
FAQs
1. Who is issuing the call?
UNICEF Eswatini.
2. What is the main objective?
To provide integrated GBV, VAC, HIV peer support, and MHPSS services to vulnerable populations.
3. How many beneficiaries are expected to be reached?
A total of 5,500 young people, including children, adolescents, and young adults.
4. What is the indicative budget?
$100,000.
5. What structures will be strengthened?
Adolescent-led teen clubs and multi-sector community and frontline worker networks.
Conclusion
This Expression of Interest presents a significant opportunity for NGOs in Eswatini to contribute to strengthening child protection systems, improving HIV peer support, and expanding access to mental health and psychosocial services. By empowering adolescent-led structures and enhancing community-level capacity, UNICEF aims to foster resilience, safety, and wellbeing among vulnerable children and young people facing compounded social and health challenges.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
