Deadline: 28-Feb-2026
The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons has opened the Tenth Cycle of its Small Grants Programme to fund short-term, high-impact projects delivering direct assistance and protection to trafficking victims worldwide. Managed by UNODC, the programme prioritises survivor-centred, human rights-based interventions implemented by experienced frontline civil society organisations. Grants of up to USD 20,000 are available for projects lasting up to eight months.
Programme Overview
The Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons supports urgent, results-driven interventions that provide direct assistance and protection to victims of human trafficking.
Implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the programme is designed to strengthen frontline responses and ensure victims receive immediate, ethical, and survivor-centred support. Funded projects must be grounded in human rights-based and trauma-informed approaches that prioritise safety, dignity, confidentiality, and empowerment.
Programme Focus and Objectives
The programme aims to improve the protection, recovery, and reintegration of victims of trafficking, with particular attention to women, children, and other underserved or vulnerable groups.
Supported interventions may address:
- Improved physical and mental health and overall well-being
- Social inclusion and long-term reintegration
- Prevention of re-trafficking and repeat victimisation
- Early identification and referral of trafficking victims
- Delivery of survivor-centred and trauma-informed services
- Response to multiple and intersecting forms of exploitation
- Provision of essential services such as medical care, legal aid, psychosocial support, shelter, education, and livelihood or reintegration assistance
- All activities must provide direct, tangible benefits to victims of trafficking.
Who Can Apply
The programme targets experienced frontline civil society organisations that work directly with victims of trafficking in persons.
Eligible applicants include:
- Civil society and non-governmental organisations with demonstrated experience in victim assistance
- Organisations operating at local, national, or regional levels
- Survivor-led organisations
- First-time applicants to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund
- Priority is given to applicants with a strong understanding of trafficking dynamics and proven capacity to deliver ethical and victim-centred interventions.
Funding Amount and Duration
Grant awards are available up to a maximum of USD 20,000 per project.
Key funding conditions include:
- Projects must be short-term and time-bound
- Maximum project duration is eight months
- Budgets must be realistic, cost-effective, and demonstrate value for money
- Funding is intended for immediate and essential assistance
- Projects that are overly complex or long-term in nature are not eligible under this call.
Project Design Requirements
All proposals must clearly demonstrate that they:
- Are victim-centred and rights-based
- Apply survivor-centred and trauma-informed methodologies
- Ensure safety, confidentiality, dignity, and informed consent
- Are culturally appropriate and context-specific
- Respond to clearly identified and evidence-based needs
- Focus on measurable results and practical outcomes
- Programmes should also show how activities contribute to resilience and sustainable recovery for trafficking survivors.
Partnerships and Coordination
The programme strongly encourages coordinated and collaborative approaches.
Applicants are encouraged to work with:
- Relevant government and state institutions
- Non-governmental and community-based organisations
- Service providers and shelters
- International organisations and foundations
- Private sector actors, where appropriate
- Projects should build on existing national or regional victim protection and assistance frameworks rather than duplicating services.
Priority Considerations in Selection
During evaluation, particular priority is given to:
- Survivor-led initiatives
- First-time recipients of Trust Fund support
- Projects demonstrating strong problem analysis and contextual understanding
- Interventions addressing underserved or hard-to-reach victim populations
- Programmes with a clear focus on resilience, sustainability, and prevention of re-trafficking
- Proposals that clearly justify costs and demonstrate efficient use of funds
Expected Results and Impact
Funded projects are expected to:
- Deliver immediate, life-saving, or essential assistance
- Produce clear and measurable outcomes within the project timeframe
- Strengthen protection mechanisms for victims
- Enhance access to services and rights
- Improve coordination among victim support actors
- All projects must be capable of achieving results within the eight-month implementation period.
Why This Programme Matters
- The UN Voluntary Trust Fund Small Grants Programme plays a critical role in filling urgent funding gaps for victim assistance worldwide.
- By supporting grassroots and frontline organisations, the programme ensures that trafficking survivors receive timely protection, recovery support, and pathways toward reintegration. The focus on survivor-centred, ethical, and rights-based approaches helps strengthen global responses to trafficking while centring the voices and needs of victims.
Key Takeaways for Applicants
- Grants of up to USD 20,000 are available
- Projects must be completed within eight months
- Only direct victim assistance projects are eligible
- Survivor-centred and trauma-informed approaches are mandatory
- Frontline civil society organisations are the primary target
- Strong partnerships and coordination are encouraged
- Clear, cost-effective budgets and measurable results are essential
- This funding opportunity offers a vital platform for organisations delivering immediate and meaningful support to victims of trafficking in persons across the globe.
Conclusion
The Tenth Cycle of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons Small Grants Programme offers a critical opportunity for frontline organisations to deliver immediate, life-changing support to trafficking survivors. By prioritising survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and human rights-based interventions, the programme ensures that assistance is ethical, impactful, and grounded in the real needs of victims.
With flexible funding of up to USD 20,000 for short-term, high-impact projects, the programme is especially valuable for grassroots, survivor-led, and first-time applicant organisations working in challenging contexts. For organisations providing direct protection and essential services to victims of trafficking, this call represents not only financial support but also global recognition and strengthened engagement within international anti-trafficking efforts.
For more information, visit UNVTF.