Deadline: 03-Jun-2026
The Child-Friendly Local Governance Programme focuses on strengthening local governance systems to ensure children’s rights, needs, and voices are integrated into planning, budgeting, and service delivery processes.
Key focus areas include:
- Child participation mechanisms
- Public finance and local governance
- Transparent budgeting and resource allocation
- Child rights integration into local planning
- Community engagement and decentralization
- Monitoring and evaluation systems
- Participatory feedback mechanisms
- Access to quality basic services for children
The programme is being implemented with support from United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund and the Government of The Gambia.
Target Region
The intervention will focus on:
- Central River Region North (CRR North)
- Kuntaur Area Council
Kuntaur is the newest local government authority in the region following administrative restructuring.
The area faces major child welfare challenges, including:
- Limited access to essential services
- Poor sanitation conditions
- Weak child participation systems
- Limited institutional capacity
- Low awareness of governance processes among children and adolescents
Why This Programme Matters
According to UNICEF-supported assessments:
- Kuntaur records some of the country’s lowest child social indicators
- The region has high levels of child deprivation
- Children have limited involvement in local decision-making
- Feedback systems for youth participation remain weak
A 2025 social audit by the Department of Community Development and UNICEF found that many children and adolescents lack understanding of how local councils function and are rarely included in planning and budgeting discussions.
The programme aims to create more inclusive and child-responsive governance systems.
Who Is Eligible?
UNICEF is seeking a qualified Civil Society Organization with experience in:
- Community engagement
- Decentralization
- Local governance
- Child rights programming
- Local development initiatives
Organizations should demonstrate capacity to work closely with:
- Local government authorities
- Communities
- Children and adolescents
- Development stakeholders
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen local government capacity on child rights
- Improve participatory governance systems
- Promote transparent budgeting processes
- Build child-friendly monitoring systems
- Increase community participation
- Improve service delivery for vulnerable children
How to Apply
Interested Civil Society Organizations should:
- Review the programme requirements
- Prepare an Expression of Interest
- Demonstrate relevant governance and community engagement experience
- Highlight experience working with children and local authorities
- Submit supporting organizational documents and implementation capacity details
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to demonstrate local governance experience
- Providing weak community engagement strategies
- Not addressing child participation mechanisms
- Submitting incomplete organizational documentation
- Lacking evidence of decentralization or development experience
FAQ
Who is leading the programme?
The programme is led by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Government of The Gambia.
Which region will benefit from the programme?
The intervention focuses on Central River Region North, especially the Kuntaur Area Council.
Who can apply?
Qualified Civil Society Organizations with experience in governance, decentralization, and community engagement.
What are the main programme goals?
The programme aims to improve child participation, strengthen local governance, and integrate child rights into planning and budgeting systems.
Why is the programme important?
The target region faces severe child deprivation, weak governance participation systems, and limited access to essential services.
Conclusion
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund Child-Friendly Local Governance Programme represents an important effort to strengthen inclusive governance and improve children’s rights in The Gambia. By supporting community participation, transparent budgeting, and child-responsive planning, the initiative aims to build stronger local institutions and improve outcomes for vulnerable children and adolescents in CRR North.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.