Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
UNICEF is inviting grant applications to strengthen community-based child protection systems in selected municipalities of Brazil, focusing on preventing violence, abuse, and exploitation of children and adolescents. The programme supports community mobilization, awareness campaigns, referral systems, and capacity building for local leaders, with an indicative budget of $125,000. It targets vulnerable areas including Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás, and Ourilândia do Norte.
Overview of the Programme
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is supporting a community-driven initiative in Brazil focused on preventing violence, exploitation, abuse, and sexual harassment against children and adolescents.
The programme strengthens local child protection systems through coordinated prevention, awareness, and response mechanisms.
It is designed for municipalities affected by large-scale development activities and associated social vulnerabilities.
Geographic Focus
The initiative is implemented in selected municipalities in Brazil:
- Parauapebas
- Canaã dos Carajás
- Ourilândia do Norte
These areas are prioritized due to increased vulnerability of children and adolescents to violence and exploitation.
Core Objectives of the Programme
The initiative aims to build safer environments for children through structured community engagement and system strengthening.
Key Objectives
- Prevent violence, abuse, exploitation, and sexual harassment
- Strengthen community-based child protection systems
- Improve identification and referral of violence cases
- Enhance awareness of protection mechanisms
- Build capacity of local leaders and community agents
- Strengthen family and community participation in child safety
Programme Strategy and Approach
1. Community Mobilization and Awareness
The programme promotes active community engagement through:
- Awareness campaigns on child protection
- Education on reporting mechanisms
- Community participation in safeguarding children
- Engagement of families and caregivers
2. Community Mapping and Local Assessment
A structured planning approach includes:
- Mapping schools, communities, and households
- Using data from multiple systems:
- Schools
- Health units
- Social assistance centers
- Identifying gaps and avoiding duplication of services
- Targeting high-risk areas effectively
3. Community Dialogue Spaces
Safe discussion spaces will be created for:
- Families and caregivers
- Community members
- Local stakeholders
These spaces focus on:
- Recognizing signs of violence
- Learning self-protection strategies
- Understanding reporting and referral channels
- Strengthening prevention awareness
4. Capacity Building of Local Actors
The programme includes training for:
- Community leaders
- Youth representatives
- Local protection agents
Training focuses on:
- Violence identification
- Referral pathways
- Community engagement strategies
- Sustained protection practices
5. Development of Educational Materials
The initiative will produce accessible materials for:
- Children
- Adolescents
- Families
- Community stakeholders
Content includes:
- Signs of abuse and exploitation
- Self-protection strategies
- Available support services
- Reporting mechanisms
Materials will be:
- Culturally appropriate
- Locally relevant
- Easy to understand
Target Groups and Reach
Direct and Indirect Beneficiaries
- Approximately 100 families engaged in structured dialogue sessions
- Around 1,000 individuals reached through awareness activities
- Rural and hard-to-reach communities prioritized
Inclusion Focus
The programme emphasizes:
Funding Information
Indicative Budget
- $125,000
Funding Purpose
Supports:
- Community mobilization activities
- Training and capacity building
- Awareness campaigns
- Development of materials
- Data collection and mapping
- Coordination and reporting systems
Eligibility and Implementation Requirements
Eligible Implementers
Typically includes organizations capable of:
- Implementing child protection programmes
- Working with communities and local institutions
- Managing data-driven interventions
- Delivering capacity-building initiatives
Key Requirements
- Strong local engagement capacity
- Ability to coordinate with schools, health, and social systems
- Experience in child protection or community development
Monitoring and Evaluation
Programme performance is measured through:
- Number of families engaged
- Reach of awareness campaigns
- Improvement in reporting and referral mechanisms
- Community participation levels
- Effectiveness of training and capacity-building activities
Expected Outcomes
The initiative aims to achieve:
- Stronger community-based child protection systems
- Increased awareness of violence prevention mechanisms
- Improved identification and referral of abuse cases
- Enhanced community responsibility for child safety
- Sustainable local protection networks
How It Works / Implementation Approach
Step 1: Situational Assessment
- Conduct mapping of schools, communities, and families
- Collect data from education, health, and social services
Step 2: Community Engagement Design
- Identify target families and community groups
- Plan dialogue and awareness sessions
Step 3: Capacity Building
- Train local leaders, youth, and protection agents
- Strengthen referral and reporting systems
Step 4: Implementation of Activities
- Conduct community dialogues
- Run awareness campaigns
- Distribute educational materials
Step 5: Monitoring and Reporting
- Track participation and outcomes
- Submit progress reports
- Evaluate impact on child protection systems
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak integration with local service systems (schools, health, social assistance)
- Failing to include rural or vulnerable communities
- Lack of structured mapping and data use
- Poorly designed awareness materials
- Limited training of local stakeholders
- Insufficient focus on referral mechanisms
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main goal of this UNICEF programme?
The programme aims to prevent violence, abuse, exploitation, and sexual harassment of children and adolescents through community-based protection systems.
2. Which areas are targeted in Brazil?
The programme focuses on Parauapebas, Canaã dos Carajás, and Ourilândia do Norte.
3. What is the funding amount?
The indicative budget for this initiative is $125,000.
4. Who benefits from this programme?
Children, adolescents, families, community members, and local leaders in selected municipalities.
5. What types of activities are included?
Activities include community mapping, awareness campaigns, dialogue sessions, training, and development of educational materials.
6. How many people will be reached?
Approximately 100 families will participate directly, and around 1,000 individuals will be reached through broader outreach.
7. What is the key focus of the approach?
The focus is on strengthening community-based child protection systems through prevention, awareness, and coordinated referral mechanisms.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s Brazil child protection initiative strengthens local systems to prevent violence and abuse against children through structured community engagement, data-driven planning, and capacity building. By focusing on awareness, referral mechanisms, and inclusive outreach, the programme aims to create safer environments for children and adolescents in vulnerable municipalities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.