CFPs: Strengthening Social Protection and Inclusion through CSOs (Albania)

Deadline: 27-Apr-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Albania invites Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to apply for grants supporting social protection and inclusion initiatives. Grants focus on disability inclusion, Roma and Egyptian community empowerment, participatory governance, and advocacy, with funding of up to 1,200,000 Albanian Lek (ALL) for projects lasting a maximum of 12 months.

Overview of the Initiative

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) seeks applications from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Albania to implement projects that:

• Promote inclusive social services and strengthen social protection
• Empower marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities and Roma and Egyptian populations
• Enhance participatory governance, advocacy, and policy dialogue
• Foster networking, coalition-building, and accountability mechanisms

This initiative empowers citizens as rights holders to claim entitlements while contributing to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of inclusive social services at local and national levels.

Key Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following areas:

1. Disability Inclusion
   • Empower persons with disabilities and their participation in decision-making
   • Strengthen the role of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in local governance
   • Promote advocacy and policy dialogue on disability rights
2. Monitoring and Accountability
   • Strengthen mechanisms for community-based monitoring of social services
   • Enhance transparency and evidence-based policy dialogue
3. Inclusive Social Services
   • Improve access to and quality of services for vulnerable groups
   • Support participatory planning and implementation at local and national levels
4. Roma and Egyptian Community Inclusion
   • Empower communities, particularly women and youth
   • Advance advocacy, policy dialogue, and anti-discrimination initiatives
5. Organizational Capacity
   • Strengthen CSOs’ institutional and advocacy capacities
   • Support coalition-building and collaboration among stakeholders

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Lot 1: Albanian Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), particularly representing children, youth, or women
• Lot 2: Albanian Organizations of Roma and Egyptian communities, including those focused on women and youth

Grant Details

• Maximum grant amount: 1,200,000 Albanian Lek (ALL) per proposal
• Project duration: Up to 12 months
• Funding type: One-time grant to implement targeted social inclusion initiatives

How the Grant Works

1. Proposal Submission – Organizations submit project proposals aligned with the call’s focus areas.
2. Evaluation – UNDP assesses proposals based on relevance, feasibility, inclusivity, and expected impact.
3. Implementation – Selected CSOs execute projects, promoting social protection, inclusion, and participatory governance.
4. Monitoring and Reporting – Organizations report progress and outcomes to UNDP, supporting accountability and evidence-based policy dialogue.

Why This Grant Matters

• Amplifies voices of marginalized communities in Albania
• Strengthens inclusive governance and advocacy capacity of CSOs
• Enhances transparency and accountability in social service delivery
• Contributes to high-quality, responsive, and inclusive social policies

Tips for Applicants

• Align projects with disability inclusion, Roma/Egyptian community empowerment, or participatory governance
• Highlight strategies for community engagement and citizen empowerment
• Demonstrate capacity for monitoring, advocacy, and coalition-building
• Ensure proposals are feasible within the 12-month timeframe
• Include plans for evidence-based outcomes and reporting mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is eligible to apply?

• Lot 1: Albanian OPDs, especially representing children, youth, or women with disabilities
• Lot 2: Albanian organizations serving Roma and Egyptian communities, including women and youth

2. What is the maximum grant amount?

• Up to 1,200,000 Albanian Lek (ALL) per proposal

3. What is the maximum project duration?

• 12 months

4. Which areas should projects focus on?

• Disability inclusion, social protection, advocacy, participatory governance, and inclusion of Roma and Egyptian communities

5. Can multiple focus areas be included in one proposal?

• Yes. Proposals may address several focus areas if clearly planned and feasible

6. What type of reporting is required?

• Progress and outcomes must be reported to UNDP to ensure accountability and support evidence-based policy dialogue

7. Are women and youth considered priority groups?

• Yes. Projects targeting women and youth within the focus communities are strongly encouraged

Conclusion

This UNDP grant empowers Civil Society Organizations in Albania to strengthen social protection, inclusion, and participatory governance. By funding targeted initiatives for persons with disabilities and Roma and Egyptian communities, the programme enhances community empowerment, advocacy capacity, and the quality and inclusivity of social services across Albania.

For more information, visit UNDP.