RFAs: Education Protection and Social Support for Children in Mudug (Somalia)

UNICEF Somalia is inviting grant applications to support children, adolescents, and women in the Mudug region through integrated education, child protection, and social protection programs.

The initiative emphasizes inclusion, gender equality, resilience, and system-strengthening to address conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and poverty.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) seeks applications for grants aimed at improving wellbeing and opportunities for vulnerable populations in Somalia, with a focus on the Mudug region.

The initiative combines humanitarian response with long-term development goals to create equitable, resilient, and community-centered systems.

Purpose of the Grant

The grant aims to:

• Expand access to quality education for children and adolescents, including out-of-school populations

• Strengthen child protection services for children and women affected by violence, exploitation, and abuse

• Improve social protection and policy systems to reduce child poverty

• Build resilient community and institutional systems capable of responding to recurring shocks

• Promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and the participation of marginalized groups

Key Intervention Areas

1. Education

• Support early childhood development, primary and secondary education

• Provide learning opportunities in emergency and crisis-affected settings

• Improve learning outcomes through digital tools, skills development, and innovative methods

• Support adolescents, particularly girls, with marketable skills for work and life

2. Child Protection

• Deliver case management, psychosocial support, and family reunification

• Prevent and respond to gender-based violence

• Ensure access to justice for children and women

• Strengthen national and local institutions to implement rights-based laws and protective policies

3. Social Protection and Policy

• Strengthen inclusive and shock-responsive social services at federal, state, and district levels

• Enhance registration of births and access to social benefits

• Support community engagement in planning and decision-making

• Reduce multidimensional child poverty through coordinated social protection programs

4. Cross-Cutting Priorities

• Inclusion of children with disabilities and marginalized groups

• Gender equality and women’s empowerment

• Emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction

• Integration of humanitarian response with long-term development

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organizations and NGOs with operational capacity in Mudug and Somalia

• Entities experienced in delivering integrated education, protection, and social services

• Organizations capable of promoting inclusion, equity, and resilience in communities

How to Apply

1. Review UNICEF Somalia’s Call for Expression of Interest guidelines

2. Prepare a proposal detailing:

   • Target beneficiaries and community reach

   • Planned activities in education, child protection, and social services

   • Expected outcomes, impact measures, and monitoring plan

   • Integration of cross-cutting priorities such as gender, disability, and resilience

3. Submit the proposal according to official instructions

4. Engage with UNICEF for potential partnership and feedback

Why This Grant Matters

• Expands equitable access to education, protection, and social services for vulnerable populations

• Strengthens local systems and institutions for long-term resilience and sustainability

• Supports marginalized groups, including children with disabilities, girls, and displaced families

• Integrates humanitarian action with development, fostering sustainable improvements in wellbeing

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define target populations and expected impact

• Demonstrate multi-sectoral integration and system-strengthening approaches

• Include measurable indicators of success and outcome monitoring

• Highlight community engagement and institutional capacity

• Ensure alignment with gender, inclusion, and resilience priorities

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overlooking the inclusion of marginalized groups or children with disabilities

• Submitting proposals without multi-sectoral integration

• Neglecting measurable outcomes and monitoring plans

• Failing to show operational presence or capacity in Mudug

• Ignoring alignment with humanitarian-development objectives

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible to apply?

Civil society organizations and NGOs with operational presence and experience in Mudug, Somalia.

Which populations are prioritized?

Children, adolescents, women, displaced families, children with disabilities, and marginalized groups.

What sectors are covered?

Education, child protection, social protection, and community resilience initiatives.

Are gender and inclusion priorities?

Yes, gender equality, disability inclusion, and equitable access are core priorities.

How should proposals demonstrate impact?

Through measurable outcomes, monitoring plans, and evidence of system strengthening.

How does the grant promote resilience?

By integrating emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and shock-responsive systems.

What is the role of local institutions?

To deliver inclusive services, implement rights-based policies, and strengthen long-term community systems.

Conclusion

This UNICEF Somalia grant offers organizations the opportunity to implement transformative programs in Mudug, improving education, protection, and social outcomes.

By fostering integrated, inclusive, and resilient interventions, the initiative strengthens local institutions, promotes equity, and delivers sustainable improvements for children, adolescents, and women in vulnerable communities.