Request for EOIs: Advancing Education and Child Protection in Bakool, Somalia

UNICEF is accepting applications to support education, protection, and social services in Gobolka Bakool, Somalia, targeting community resilience and long-term child wellbeing. The initiative emphasizes inclusive education, child protection, disability inclusion, gender equality, and social protection, with interventions implemented between 2026 and 2027.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) invites applications to implement programs that strengthen education, protection, and social services at the community level in Gobolka Bakool, Somalia.

The region faces ongoing humanitarian challenges, displacement, and limited access to essential services, making targeted, integrated interventions critical to improving resilience and long-term wellbeing for children and families.

Objectives of the Initiative

The initiative seeks to:

Enhance community resilience through cross-sectoral programming
Promote disability inclusion, gender equality, and women’s empowerment
Expand access to inclusive and equitable education
Strengthen child protection systems and social services
Support emergency preparedness and response in vulnerable communities

Priority Areas

Inclusive Education

Efforts focus on ensuring all children access quality learning, including:

Early childhood development and foundational learning
General education and improvement of learning outcomes
Reintegration of out-of-school children
Strengthening education systems to remain functional during conflict, climate shocks, and emergencies

Child Protection

Key child protection interventions include:

Access to inclusive protection services for children and women
Support for family reunification and legal assistance
Prevention and response to violence, exploitation, and abuse
Strengthening mental health and psychosocial support services
Implementation of rights-based laws and policies
Development of child-friendly justice systems
Empowerment of girls and women to access gender-responsive services
Engagement with families and communities to prevent harmful practices

Social Policy and Advocacy

The initiative supports government institutions to improve planning and service delivery, including:

Use of child poverty data and costed sectoral plans
Strengthening social safety nets
Expanding shock-responsive social protection systems
Ensuring equitable services for households with children

Expected Outcomes (2026–2027)

The programme aims to achieve:

Expanded access to quality education and early learning
Skills development for adolescents
Strengthened child protection services and institutions
Increased birth registration coverage
Improved social protection for vulnerable households

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to civil society organizations (CSOs) with the capacity to:

Design and implement integrated, community-responsive interventions
Work effectively with local stakeholders and government institutions
Address education, child protection, and social services priorities in Gobolka Bakool

Organizations should demonstrate experience in working with children, women, and vulnerable communities in humanitarian or development contexts.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit proposals that include:

Organizational background and experience in education, protection, or social services
Detailed project plan with integrated interventions reflecting local priorities
Timeline and budget for the 2026–2027 implementation period
Approach for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting outcomes
Strategies for inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive programming

Proposals must demonstrate how the project contributes to long-term national goals for children’s rights and wellbeing while addressing immediate community needs.

Why This Initiative Matters

This opportunity is important because it:

Strengthens resilience in conflict-affected and humanitarian settings
Protects vulnerable children and women from violence and exploitation
Promotes inclusive education and lifelong learning opportunities
Enhances social protection systems to respond to shocks
Builds local capacity for sustainable community development

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Proposing interventions without integration across education, protection, and social services
Failing to address disability inclusion, gender, or child protection considerations
Submitting unrealistic timelines or budgets
Ignoring local context and community priorities
Overlooking monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for this initiative?
Civil society organizations with experience in education, protection, or social services in humanitarian or development contexts.

Which region does this initiative target?
Gobolka Bakool, Somalia, including communities facing displacement and limited access to services.

What is the implementation period?
From 2026 to 2027.

What sectors are prioritized?
Inclusive education, child protection, social services, disability inclusion, gender equality, and emergency preparedness.

How does the initiative support vulnerable children?
Through access to quality education, protection services, mental health support, and social safety nets.

Are partnerships with government institutions required?
Yes, engagement with federal, state, and district-level institutions is encouraged for sustainable impact.

What are expected outcomes?
Expanded education access, strengthened child protection, improved social protection coverage, increased birth registration, and skills development for adolescents.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s initiative in Gobolka Bakool provides a comprehensive opportunity for CSOs to implement integrated, community-responsive programs that protect children, empower women, and strengthen education and social systems. By addressing education, protection, and social services together, the initiative fosters resilient communities and long-term wellbeing for Somalia’s most vulnerable populations.