Deadline: 10-Feb-2026
UNICEF Somalia is accepting grant applications to support vulnerable communities in Sool through integrated education, child protection, and social protection programs.
The initiative emphasizes inclusion, gender equality, disability access, and resilience, combining humanitarian response with long-term development strategies to strengthen local systems and improve outcomes for children and adolescents.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) invites grant applications to address the multiple challenges faced by vulnerable communities in the Sool region of Somalia.
This initiative integrates humanitarian support with long-term development strategies to create inclusive, equitable, and resilient systems for children, adolescents, and families.
Purpose of the Grant
The grant aims to:
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Expand access to quality education, including early childhood development, general schooling, and emergency education
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Strengthen child protection systems for children and women affected by violence, abuse, or exploitation
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Improve social protection systems to reduce multidimensional child poverty
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Promote inclusion of marginalized populations, gender equality, and the participation of men, boys, and persons with disabilities
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Enhance community resilience through emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction
Key Intervention Areas
1. Education
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Increase access to learning opportunities for out-of-school children and adolescents
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Improve learning quality and relevance through innovative methods
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Support skills development programs, particularly for adolescent girls, to enhance employability and life skills
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Deliver education in humanitarian and emergency contexts
2. Child Protection
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Provide case management, psychosocial support, and family reunification services
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Prevent and respond to gender-based violence and exploitation
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Ensure access to legal assistance and child-friendly justice systems
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Strengthen national and local institutions to implement rights-based laws and protection policies
3. Social Protection and Policy
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Support governments at federal, state, and district levels to plan and deliver inclusive, shock-responsive social services
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Enhance access to social benefits and birth registration
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Promote community engagement in local governance and decision-making
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Reduce child poverty and improve social wellbeing through systemic interventions
4. Cross-Cutting Priorities
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Disability inclusion and accessibility
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Gender equality and women’s empowerment
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Engagement of men and boys in community development
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Emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction
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Inclusion of internally displaced and marginalized populations
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
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Civil society organizations and NGOs with operational capacity in Sool, Somalia
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Entities experienced in integrated education, child protection, and social protection programs
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Organizations capable of promoting inclusion, equity, and community resilience
How to Apply
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Review UNICEF Somalia’s Call for Expression of Interest guidelines
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Prepare a detailed proposal including:
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Target beneficiaries and community reach
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Planned interventions in education, child protection, and social services
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Expected outcomes, impact indicators, and monitoring plans
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Integration of gender, disability, and resilience priorities
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Submit the proposal via official UNICEF channels
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Engage with UNICEF for feedback and partnership opportunities
Why This Grant Matters
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Enhances access to education and social services for vulnerable children and adolescents
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Strengthens local systems and institutions to deliver inclusive, rights-based programs
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Promotes gender equality, disability inclusion, and participation of marginalized groups
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Builds resilient communities capable of coping with recurring shocks and emergencies
Tips for a Strong Application
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Clearly define target populations and expected community impact
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Demonstrate multi-sectoral integration across education, protection, and social services
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Include measurable outcomes, monitoring, and evaluation indicators
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Highlight organizational capacity and operational presence in Sool
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Show alignment with cross-cutting priorities like gender, disability, and resilience
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Neglecting inclusion of marginalized populations or children with disabilities
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Submitting proposals without integrated approaches or measurable outcomes
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Failing to show local presence or institutional capacity
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Ignoring the humanitarian-development nexus and long-term system strengthening
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is eligible to apply?
Civil society organizations and NGOs with operational presence and capacity in Sool, Somalia.
Which populations are prioritized?
Children, adolescents, women, internally displaced families, and marginalized groups.
What sectors are included?
Education, child protection, social protection, and community resilience.
Are gender and inclusion emphasized?
Yes, gender equality, disability inclusion, and community participation are core priorities.
How should proposals demonstrate impact?
Through measurable outcomes, monitoring plans, and evidence of system-strengthening activities.
How does the initiative enhance resilience?
By integrating disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and shock-responsive systems into all interventions.
What is the role of local institutions?
To implement rights-based policies, deliver inclusive services, and strengthen long-term community systems.
Conclusion
This UNICEF Somalia grant offers a vital opportunity for organizations to implement integrated, inclusive, and resilient programs in Sool.
By supporting education, child protection, and social protection initiatives, the grant strengthens local institutions, promotes equity, and delivers sustainable improvements for some of the most vulnerable communities in Somalia.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.