Call for CSO to Support CRSV Survivors in Bosnia and Herzegovina

UN Women is inviting qualified civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement survivor-centred programmes supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The partnership provides BAM 80,000–85,000 for a six-month project focused on trauma-informed recovery, peer support, women’s economic empowerment, and survivor-led resilience initiatives.

Overview of the UN Women Gender Justice Platform Partnership

UN Women is seeking proposals from eligible civil society organizations (CSOs) to strengthen recovery, resilience, and economic sustainability for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The initiative is implemented under the Women, Peace and Security Global Facility’s Gender Justice Platform and focuses on survivor-centred approaches that recognize the experiences, leadership, and needs of survivors.

The partnership aims to create long-term support systems by combining:

Trauma-informed psychosocial support.
Survivor-led recovery approaches.
Peer networks and collective resilience.
Economic empowerment opportunities.
Knowledge sharing and documentation.

Purpose of the Programme

The main objective of the partnership is to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence through inclusive recovery and empowerment initiatives.

The programme seeks to:

Strengthen survivor resilience.
Improve access to peer support networks.
Support survivor associations.
Increase economic opportunities.
Promote survivor visibility and leadership.
Document successful approaches for future programmes.

Key Focus Areas and Activities

The selected organization will implement activities across several priority areas.

Survivor-Centred Recovery and Trauma-Informed Support

The programme supports interventions that:

Prioritize survivor needs and experiences.
Use trauma-informed methods.
Strengthen emotional recovery.
Promote safe spaces for survivors.
Encourage survivor participation in decision-making.

Country-Wide Therapeutic Retreat

The partnership will support a therapeutic retreat designed to:

Build survivor confidence.
Encourage peer connections.
Strengthen collective resilience.
Provide opportunities for healing and mutual support.

Peer Support and Survivor Collaboration

Activities will focus on:

Strengthening survivor networks.
Supporting collaboration among survivor groups.
Encouraging shared learning.
Building community-based support systems.

Economic Sustainability and Survivor Associations

The programme promotes economic empowerment by supporting survivor associations through a grant mechanism.

Activities may include:

Providing financial support to survivor-led initiatives.
Improving organizational sustainability.
Supporting income-generating activities.
Strengthening market opportunities.

Visibility and Market Access for Survivor Products

The initiative will support:

Promotion of survivor-produced goods.
Development of a joint online platform.
Improved access to customers and markets.
Increased public awareness of survivor-led initiatives.

Intergenerational Engagement and Knowledge Sharing

The programme encourages:

Dialogue between generations.
Sharing of experiences and lessons.
Documentation of effective approaches.
Recommendations for future survivor support programmes.

Funding Amount and Project Duration

The selected CSO will receive:

Partnership Budget:

Minimum: BAM 80,000
Maximum: BAM 85,000

Implementation period:

Duration: 6 months
Expected start date: Before 18 September 2026
Expected completion date: By 15 March 2027

Survivor Association Grant Mechanism

The selected organization will manage additional grants for eligible survivor associations.

Grant details:

Number of grants: Up to two survivor association grants.
Individual grant size: BAM 10,000–15,000.
Maximum total grant allocation: BAM 30,000.
Grant allocation cannot exceed 50% of the total proposal budget.

Who Is Eligible?

The opportunity is open to qualified civil society organizations (CSOs) with experience supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

Eligible applicants should demonstrate:

Experience in survivor-centred programming.
Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches.
Gender-responsive programming expertise.
Experience in psychosocial support.
Experience supporting women’s economic empowerment.
Grant management capacity.
Strong financial and administrative systems.
Monitoring and reporting capabilities.

Priority for Women’s Organizations

Women’s organizations and women-led entities are strongly encouraged to apply due to their experience in supporting survivors and advancing gender justice.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Organizations that cannot demonstrate:

Relevant CRSV survivor support experience.
Required institutional capacity.
Financial management systems.
Ability to meet reporting requirements.

may not qualify for partnership selection.

Why This Programme Matters

Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence often face long-term social, economic, and psychological challenges.

This programme contributes to:

Survivor dignity and empowerment.
Gender justice.
Community healing.
Sustainable survivor-led solutions.
Recognition of survivors as leaders and change-makers.

By supporting survivor associations and civil society organizations, the initiative strengthens local systems for recovery and resilience.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the following steps:

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Organizations should confirm that they have:

Relevant survivor support experience.
Technical expertise.
Financial and operational capacity.
Ability to implement trauma-informed programmes.

Step 2: Prepare the Proposal

The proposal should include:

Organizational background.
Relevant project experience.
Understanding of survivor needs.
Implementation approach.
Work plan.
Monitoring framework.
Budget details.
Risk management approach.

Step 3: Submit Required Documents

Applicants must provide:

Proposal documents.
Institutional information.
Financial details.
Evidence of eligibility.
Required pre-qualification materials.

Step 4: Participate in Evaluation Process

Applications will go through:

Mandatory pre-qualification.
Technical evaluation.
Financial evaluation.

Selection and Evaluation Process

Applications will be assessed through two main stages.

Technical Evaluation

Reviewers will consider:

Compliance with requirements.
Organizational relevance.
Understanding of project objectives.
Implementation capacity.
Survivor-centred approach.

Financial Evaluation

Financial proposals will be reviewed after technical assessment.

Evaluation will consider:

Budget accuracy.
Cost effectiveness.
Alignment between activities and requested funding.

Responsibilities of the Selected Organization

The selected Responsible Party will:

Coordinate closely with UN Women.
Implement survivor-focused activities.
Manage survivor association grants.
Monitor project progress.
Submit financial and narrative reports.
Document results and lessons learned.
Ensure do-no-harm implementation principles.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants should:

Demonstrate deep understanding of CRSV survivor needs.
Highlight previous survivor-centred projects.
Explain trauma-informed methodologies.
Include measurable outcomes.
Show experience managing grants.
Provide a realistic implementation plan.
Ensure survivor participation throughout the project.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting proposals without CRSV-related experience.
Using approaches that are not survivor-centred.
Providing unclear budgets.
Failing to explain monitoring methods.
Ignoring trauma-informed principles.
Underestimating reporting responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN Women Gender Justice Platform Partnership?

The partnership supports civil society organizations working to strengthen recovery, resilience, and economic sustainability for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How much funding is available for selected organizations?

Selected organizations can receive a partnership budget between BAM 80,000 and BAM 85,000 for a six-month implementation period.

Who can apply for this UN Women opportunity?

Qualified civil society organizations with experience in CRSV survivor support, trauma-informed programming, gender equality, and women’s empowerment can apply.

What types of activities will the programme support?

The programme supports therapeutic retreats, peer support, survivor collaboration, economic empowerment, survivor association grants, and knowledge documentation.

How long will the project last?

The project will run for six months, beginning before 18 September 2026 and ending by 15 March 2027.

Are women’s organizations encouraged to apply?

Yes. Women’s organizations and women-led entities are highly encouraged to submit applications.

How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will undergo pre-qualification, technical assessment, and financial evaluation based on organizational capacity, relevance, implementation approach, and budget quality.

Conclusion

The UN Women Gender Justice Platform Partnership provides critical support for survivor-led recovery and empowerment initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina. By funding civil society organizations with expertise in trauma-informed care, gender justice, and economic empowerment, the programme aims to strengthen survivor resilience, promote dignity, and create sustainable pathways for recovery and inclusion.