Deadline: 30-Mar-2026
UNICEF invites expressions of interest to strengthen protection and resilience for vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso, focusing on children, adolescents, women, displaced persons, and returnees. The program supports interventions in child protection, birth registration, gender-based violence prevention, family reunification, and protection in emergencies to address ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Overview of the Program
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a severe security crisis with widespread terrorism, forced displacement, and humanitarian emergencies. Vulnerable populations, particularly children and women, experience high protection risks, including violence, neglect, exploitation, and psychosocial distress. UNICEF’s program aims to enhance community and institutional capacities to protect and support these populations through targeted interventions.
Focus Areas
Eligible interventions should address:
- Child protection including systematic identification, registration, and case management
- Birth registration to ensure legal identity and access to services
- Family reunification for unaccompanied or separated children
- Gender-based violence prevention and response
- Protection in emergencies including responses to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other security threats
- Prevention of and response to crime, violence, and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation
Context and Need
- As of March 2023, 2.06 million internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso, with 58% children
- 4.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance (2026 National Humanitarian Response Plan), including 57% children
- 1,772,608 children require protection, particularly in Koulse, Liptako, Soum, Goulmou, Tapoa, Sirba, and Nakambe
- Risks include GBV, child marriage, neglect, exposure to IEDs, family separation, and psychosocial distress
- Structural protection issues exacerbated by economic fragility, child labor, and limited access to social services
Who Can Apply
- Organizations with capacity to deliver child protection, gender-based violence prevention, and community resilience interventions
- Applicants should demonstrate experience working with vulnerable populations, including displaced children, returnees, and women at risk
- International and local NGOs, civil society organizations, and relevant institutions are encouraged to apply
Expected Results
- Strengthened mental health and psychosocial support for children, adolescents, and caregivers through community-based, culturally appropriate services
- Systematic identification, registration, and case management for children and women at risk
- Community engagement to prevent and respond to GBV and other harmful practices
- Education and support for families to reduce risks from IEDs, family separation, and ensure civil registration for all children
- Improved capacity of local systems to protect vulnerable populations and sustain interventions
How to Apply / Next Steps
- Prepare an expression of interest highlighting experience in child protection, community engagement, and humanitarian response
- Outline intervention strategies, target populations, and expected outcomes
- Include capacity and experience of the organization to implement interventions in high-risk areas
- Submit applications according to UNICEF Burkina Faso guidelines and deadlines
- Await review and feedback from UNICEF selection committee
Why This Program Matters
This initiative addresses urgent protection needs for children, women, and displaced populations in Burkina Faso. By combining community-based interventions, psychosocial support, and systemic protection measures, the program strengthens resilience, safety, and long-term wellbeing for vulnerable populations in high-risk contexts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to clearly demonstrate experience with vulnerable populations
- Omitting plans for child protection, GBV prevention, or psychosocial support
- Neglecting to address local context and high-risk areas
- Submitting incomplete applications without clear expected outcomes or methodologies
- Overlooking birth registration, family reunification, or community engagement measures
FAQs
1. Who is the target population? Children, adolescents, women, displaced persons, and returnees in Burkina Faso.
2. What are the main focus areas? Child protection, birth registration, family reunification, GBV prevention, and protection in emergencies.
3. Which regions are prioritized? Koulse, Liptako, Soum, Goulmou, Tapoa, Sirba, and Nakambe.
4. What outcomes are expected? Strengthened psychosocial support, systematic case management, community engagement, and civil registration.
5. Who can apply? Local and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and institutions with relevant capacity.
6. Are interventions limited to certain threats? Projects should address multiple protection risks including violence, IEDs, family separation, and harmful cultural practices.
7. How should applications be submitted? According to UNICEF Burkina Faso guidelines for expressions of interest.
Conclusion
The UNICEF 2026 program in Burkina Faso provides critical support for vulnerable populations, particularly children and women, through interventions that enhance protection, psychosocial resilience, and community engagement. By addressing multiple risks and strengthening local systems, the program contributes to sustainable humanitarian impact and safer communities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
