Call for EOIs: Child Protection and Violence Prevention Programme (Uganda)

Deadline: 12-Jun-2026

UNICEF is inviting grant applications to strengthen child protection systems and improve the prevention and response to violence against children and women in Uganda. With an indicative budget of USD 291,080, the initiative focuses on integrated child protection services, positive parenting, birth registration, community engagement, legal identity, child-friendly justice systems, and multi-sectoral coordination.

The programme aims to ensure that more children and adolescents, especially girls and children with disabilities, are protected from violence and harmful practices by 2030 through stronger institutions, improved services, enhanced accountability, and positive social and gender norms.

Program Overview

The UNICEF Uganda Child Protection Systems Strengthening and Violence Prevention Grant Program seeks to build a comprehensive and integrated child protection system capable of preventing, identifying, and responding to violence against children and women.

The initiative adopts a multi-sectoral approach that connects child protection services with education, health, social welfare, justice, and humanitarian systems. Through coordinated interventions at household, community, institutional, and national levels, the programme aims to create safer environments for children and adolescents across Uganda.

The programme contributes to Uganda’s efforts to strengthen child rights, improve service delivery, increase access to justice, and promote positive social norms that prevent violence and discrimination.

Indicative Budget

• Total indicative budget: USD 291,080

The funding supports interventions designed to strengthen national and local child protection systems and improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Strengthen national child protection systems.
• Prevent and respond to violence against children and women.
• Improve child protection service delivery.
• Promote positive parenting practices.
• Strengthen community engagement and social norm change.
• Expand birth registration and legal identity systems.
• Improve access to child-friendly justice services.
• Strengthen safeguarding mechanisms in schools and institutions.
• Enhance reporting and referral systems.
• Develop a professional social service workforce.
• Improve child protection governance and financing.
• Strengthen accountability and evidence-based decision-making.

Focus Areas

The programme supports activities related to:

• Child protection systems strengthening
• Violence against children prevention and response
• Birth registration
• Legal identity systems
• Access to justice
• Child-friendly justice services
• Positive parenting
• Caregiver support
• Gender equality
• Community engagement
• Social norms transformation
• Safeguarding in schools
• Case management
• Referral mechanisms
• Social service workforce development
• Child protection governance
• Data systems strengthening
• Evidence generation
• Partnerships and coordination
• Financing and accountability

Theory of Change

The programme is guided by a long-term vision that by 2030 more children and adolescents, particularly girls and children with disabilities, fully enjoy their right to protection from all forms of violence.

The theory of change recognizes that sustainable protection outcomes require coordinated action across multiple levels:

• Household level
• Community level
• Institutional level
• District level
• National level

Strengthening systems, services, behaviors, policies, and accountability mechanisms simultaneously is essential for achieving lasting change.

Understanding Child Protection Systems Strengthening

Child protection systems strengthening refers to improving the structures, institutions, workforce, laws, policies, services, and coordination mechanisms that protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence.

A strong child protection system includes:

• Effective laws and policies
• Trained social workers
• Functional reporting mechanisms
• Quality case management services
• Child-friendly justice systems
• Reliable data systems
• Community support structures
• Sustainable financing mechanisms

The programme focuses on strengthening all of these interconnected components.

Positive Parenting and Caregiver Support

A key component of the initiative is promoting positive parenting practices and strengthening caregiver support systems.

Activities may include:

• Parenting education programmes
• Caregiver support groups
• Family strengthening initiatives
• Violence prevention awareness campaigns
• Community dialogue sessions
• Capacity building for service providers

The programme seeks to institutionalize a national parenting agenda that supports healthy child development and violence-free family environments.

Community Engagement and Social Norm Transformation

Violence against children is often influenced by harmful social and gender norms.

The programme supports:

• Community awareness campaigns
• Social behavior change initiatives
• Engagement with community leaders
• Youth participation activities
• Gender equality promotion
• Prevention of harmful practices

These efforts aim to create supportive environments where children can thrive safely.

Engagement with Cultural and Religious Leaders

Cultural and religious institutions play an important role in shaping attitudes and behaviors.

The initiative promotes collaboration with:

• Religious leaders
• Traditional leaders
• Community elders
• Faith-based organizations

These partnerships help promote positive social norms, discourage violence, and support child protection efforts.

Integration Across Key Service Sectors

The programme emphasizes integrating child protection measures across multiple sectors.

Education Sector

Activities may include:

• School safeguarding standards
• Child protection policies
• Safe learning environments
• Referral pathways for vulnerable children

Health Sector

Activities may include:

• Identification of protection concerns
• Referral to child protection services
• Survivor support services
• Child-sensitive healthcare responses

Social Welfare Sector

Activities may include:

• Case management services
• Family support interventions
• Social worker capacity strengthening
• Community-based protection mechanisms

Humanitarian Sector

Activities may include:

• Child protection in emergencies
• Risk mitigation measures
• Integrated protection responses
• Support for vulnerable populations

Strengthening Case Management Systems

Effective case management helps ensure that children at risk receive timely and appropriate support.

The programme seeks to improve:

• Case identification
• Assessment processes
• Referral pathways
• Follow-up services
• Case documentation
• Multi-sector coordination

These systems are essential for responding to child protection concerns effectively.

Safeguarding Standards and Referral Mechanisms

The initiative supports stronger safeguarding systems through:

• School safeguarding frameworks
• Child protection protocols
• Reporting mechanisms
• Referral pathways
• Accountability procedures
• Staff training and awareness

These measures help ensure that protection risks are identified and addressed promptly.

Social Service Workforce Development

A professional and accountable workforce is central to effective child protection systems.

The programme supports:

• Workforce training
• Professional development
• Skills enhancement
• Supervision mechanisms
• Workforce planning
• Service quality improvement

Investing in the social service workforce improves the quality and sustainability of child protection services.

Child-Friendly Justice Systems

The initiative seeks to improve access to justice for vulnerable children.

Activities may include:

• Child-sensitive legal services
• Victim support mechanisms
• Legal assistance programmes
• Child-friendly court procedures
• Justice sector coordination

Child-friendly justice systems help ensure that children are protected throughout legal processes.

Birth Registration and Legal Identity Systems

Birth registration is essential for protecting children’s rights and ensuring access to services.

The programme supports:

• Birth registration expansion
• Legal identity systems strengthening
• Registration awareness campaigns
• Improved registration services
• Integration with child protection systems

Legal identity enables children to access education, healthcare, social protection, and justice services.

Data Systems, Governance, and Accountability

The initiative aims to strengthen evidence-based decision-making through improved systems and governance.

Activities include:

• Child protection data collection
• Monitoring and evaluation systems
• Evidence generation
• Governance strengthening
• Financial planning and budgeting
• Accountability mechanisms

Reliable data supports effective planning and resource allocation.

Expected Results

The programme aims to achieve:

• Stronger national child protection systems.
• Reduced violence against children and women.
• Improved child protection service delivery.
• Increased birth registration coverage.
• Stronger community support systems.
• Better safeguarding mechanisms.
• Improved social norms and behaviors.
• Enhanced accountability and governance.
• Sustainable investments in child protection.

Programme Strands

The call includes:

• Strand 1
• Strand 2

Each strand contains distinct interventions, activities, beneficiaries, and budgets.

Pre-selected partners may submit an application for only one strand and must choose either Strand 1 or Strand 2.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is intended for pre-selected partners with expertise in:

• Child protection programming
• Violence prevention
• Social service delivery
• Community engagement
• Legal identity systems
• Justice sector support
• Child rights advocacy
• Capacity building
• Monitoring and evaluation

Organizations should demonstrate experience in implementing large-scale child protection initiatives and working with government and community stakeholders.

Why This Programme Matters

Violence against children and women remains a significant challenge that affects health, education, well-being, and long-term development outcomes.

This programme helps:

• Protect vulnerable children.
• Strengthen family and community support systems.
• Improve access to justice.
• Promote gender equality.
• Reduce harmful social norms.
• Improve service coordination.
• Strengthen national child protection infrastructure.
• Support sustainable development goals related to child rights.

A strong child protection system contributes to safer communities and better futures for children and adolescents.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Confirm that your organization is a pre-selected partner eligible to apply under the call.

Step 2: Select a Programme Strand

Choose either:

• Strand 1, or
• Strand 2

Only one application may be submitted.

Step 3: Develop a Technical Proposal

Outline:

• Proposed interventions
• Implementation methodology
• Expected outcomes
• Partnership arrangements
• Monitoring framework

Step 4: Prepare a Budget

Provide a detailed budget aligned with the selected strand and planned activities.

Step 5: Demonstrate Organizational Capacity

Include evidence of:

• Child protection expertise
• Previous programme implementation
• Workforce capacity
• Financial management systems
• Partnership experience

Step 6: Submit the Application

Submit all required documentation in accordance with UNICEF application guidelines and deadlines.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate expertise in child protection systems strengthening.
• Present clear and measurable outcomes.
• Include strong safeguarding approaches.
• Show experience with multi-sectoral coordination.
• Provide a realistic implementation plan.
• Include robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
• Highlight sustainability and long-term impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for both strands.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Providing weak safeguarding measures.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity.
• Presenting unclear implementation strategies.
• Overlooking monitoring and accountability systems.
• Using unrealistic budgets or timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the primary goal of this UNICEF initiative?

The programme aims to strengthen child protection systems and improve prevention and response to violence against children and women throughout Uganda.

What is the indicative budget for the call?

The indicative budget is USD 291,080.

Who are the primary beneficiaries?

Children, adolescents, caregivers, families, communities, and vulnerable populations, particularly girls and children with disabilities.

Why is birth registration included in the programme?

Birth registration strengthens legal identity, protects children’s rights, and improves access to essential services.

What role does positive parenting play in the programme?

Positive parenting helps reduce violence, strengthen family relationships, and support healthy child development.

Can applicants apply for both strands?

No. Pre-selected partners may submit an application for only one strand.

What sectors are involved in the programme?

The initiative integrates child protection across education, health, social welfare, justice, and humanitarian systems.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Uganda Child Protection Systems Strengthening and Violence Prevention Grant Program represents a comprehensive effort to build safer environments for children and adolescents through stronger systems, improved services, community engagement, and policy support. By addressing violence prevention, legal identity, social norms, justice, workforce development, and accountability, the initiative seeks to create sustainable and integrated child protection systems capable of safeguarding children’s rights and well-being across Uganda by 2030.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.