UNICEF Call to Strengthen Schools as Protective Environments (Colombia)

UNICEF is seeking implementing partners to strengthen schools as safe, protective environments in Colombia amid escalating violence and humanitarian needs. The initiative focuses on child protection, gender-based violence, mental health, psychosocial support, and emergency preparedness in priority municipalities of Arauca and Nariño. With an indicative budget of 1,400,000,000 COP, the project aims to protect children, reinforce school safety, and enhance resilience for students, families, and communities.

Overview

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a call for implementing partners to reinforce schools as protective environments in Colombia. The initiative responds to escalating violence, humanitarian crises, and threats to children in the departments of Arauca and Nariño, where armed conflict, displacement, and climate-related impacts disproportionately affect minors.

UNICEF seeks partners with territorial presence and technical expertise to deploy interventions in prioritized municipalities, with the potential to expand to other affected areas. The initiative will strengthen school-based protection systems, enhance community resilience, and improve emergency preparedness in educational institutions.

Context and Need

Colombia faces a protracted humanitarian crisis affecting millions of children. By 2026, an estimated 3.7 million children will require humanitarian assistance. Violence intensified in 2025, with mass displacements and confinement particularly impacting Arauca and Nariño. Key municipalities include Tame, Fortul, Tumaco, and Barbacoas, where children are at high risk of recruitment by armed groups, gender-based violence, landmine accidents, and attacks on schools.

Indigenous communities such as the Awá and Makaguán, and Afro-descendant populations are disproportionately affected due to mobility restrictions and territorial control by armed actors. Schools, traditionally safe spaces, have been compromised by clashes, occupation, and threats, resulting in increased dropout rates and severe psychosocial distress among students.

Focus Areas of Intervention

The initiative prioritizes the following areas:

• Child Protection: Strengthening school-based prevention and response pathways for recruitment, violence, and physical punishment.

• Gender-Based Violence: Developing and implementing prevention strategies, awareness campaigns, and child/adolescent-led initiatives.

• Protection in Emergencies: Aligning School Risk Management Educational Plans (PGIRE) with municipal risk management plans and updating contingency protocols.

• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS): Implementing community-based strategies to promote resilience among students, teachers, and families.

• Early Warning and Rapid Response: Creating warning mechanisms and immediate response plans in schools linked to local protection authorities.

• Legal Protection: Promoting designation of schools as protected civilian property under International Humanitarian Law.

Scope of Work

The selected implementing partner will:

1. Strengthen 12 educational institutions by updating school prevention routes and protection protocols, integrating them into PGIREs.

2. Develop and distribute informational materials on care pathways, warning signs, and procedures for cases of violence.

3. Provide safe school signage kits and protection messaging for students and families.

4. Support children, adolescents, teachers, and families in recognizing the emotional impacts of violence through MHPSS strategies.

5. Conduct training sessions for school management teams, teachers, administrative staff, parents, caregivers, and school counselors.

6. Implement at least two school-based awareness campaigns per school on violence prevention and gender-based violence.

7. Develop immediate response plans coordinated with Immediate Action Teams and local authorities.

8. Establish inter-institutional working groups to enhance coordination between schools and protection agencies, including child welfare institutions, police, and health services.

9. Update municipal and school contingency and risk management plans with a child-centered approach.

10. Provide technical assistance workshops to strengthen emergency preparedness and support humanitarian response to at least two sudden emergency events in priority municipalities.

Expected Outcomes

The initiative aims to:

• Reinforce schools as safe and resilient spaces for children and adolescents.

• Reduce vulnerability to recruitment, gender-based violence, and physical harm.

• Improve psychosocial wellbeing and community resilience.

• Strengthen emergency preparedness and rapid response capacity within schools and municipalities.

• Establish sustainable protection protocols integrated into local and school-level governance structures.

Budget

The indicative budget for this initiative is 1,400,000,000 COP, allocated to cover training, technical assistance, awareness campaigns, safe school materials, and implementation support across priority municipalities.

Target Beneficiaries

• Children and adolescents attending the 12 prioritized schools.

• Teachers, administrative staff, and school management teams.

• Parents, caregivers, and school counselors.

• Local protection authorities and community stakeholders involved in child safeguarding and emergency response.

How to Apply

Interested implementing partners should:

1. Demonstrate territorial presence and technical capacity in Arauca and Nariño.

2. Provide a project plan detailing interventions, outputs, timelines, and measurable results.

3. Show experience in child protection, gender-based violence prevention, MHPSS, and emergency response.

4. Submit proposals according to UNICEF Colombia guidelines and deadlines.

Applications will be assessed on technical expertise, operational capacity, alignment with thematic priorities, and potential for measurable impact.

Conclusion

This UNICEF initiative represents a critical effort to protect children in some of Colombia’s most affected territories. By strengthening schools as protective environments, integrating MHPSS strategies, and improving emergency preparedness, the program aims to ensure that children, adolescents, teachers, and communities are better equipped to cope with violence and humanitarian challenges while fostering resilient and safe educational spaces.