Call for EOIs: ENGAGE Project for Community-Based Organizations (Uganda)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting Expressions of Interest from Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to implement Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) activities under Nutri-Cash programmes in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda. The initiative aims to improve maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition practices among refugees and host communities through community engagement, nutrition education, referrals, and behaviour change interventions.

The partnership supports community-led approaches that strengthen the impact of cash assistance programmes and improve nutrition, health, hygiene, and caregiving practices.

About the WFP ENGAGE Project

The World Food Programme (WFP) ENGAGE Project seeks Community-Based Organizations to support the implementation of nutrition-focused Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) activities in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

The project works alongside Nutri-Cash programmes to ensure that cash assistance is combined with community education and behaviour change activities that improve nutrition outcomes.

The initiative focuses on supporting:

Pregnant women.
Breastfeeding women.
Infants and young children.
Adolescents.
Refugee communities.
Vulnerable households affected by food and nutrition challenges.

Purpose of the Partnership

The partnership aims to strengthen community-based nutrition interventions by engaging local organizations that understand community needs and can deliver effective SBCC activities.

Community-Based Organizations will support:

Nutrition education.
Community mobilization.
Care group activities.
Health and nutrition referrals.
Promotion of positive caregiving practices.
Hygiene and sanitation awareness.
Strengthening community participation in nutrition programmes.

The approach combines financial assistance with knowledge-building to encourage sustainable improvements in nutrition practices.

Key Focus Areas of the Programme

The ENGAGE Project focuses on improving behaviours and practices related to:

Maternal and Child Nutrition

Activities will promote:

Improved maternal nutrition practices.
Breastfeeding support.
Appropriate infant and young child feeding practices.
Improved dietary practices among children.
Early identification of nutrition-related risks.

Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC)

Community organizations will support activities that encourage positive changes in:

Nutrition knowledge.
Attitudes toward healthy practices.
Household decision-making.
Caregiving behaviours.
Community participation.

Health, Hygiene and WASH Practices

The project will promote:

Safe water practices.
Hygiene behaviours.
Disease prevention.
Improved household health practices.

Community Protection and Inclusion

Activities will also address:

Child protection awareness.
Gender-related issues.
Community accountability.
Inclusive participation of vulnerable groups.

Expected Results of the Project

The ENGAGE Project aims to achieve the following outcomes:

Improved knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nutrition.
Better maternal and child nutrition behaviours.
Increased use of health and nutrition services.
Stronger community-led planning processes.
Development of community-level indicators.
Improved accountability mechanisms.
Use of community scorecards to measure programme effectiveness.
Better understanding of community-based organization models for future interventions.

Funding Information

The indicative partnership budget is:

Total indicative budget: 70,000,000
Funding is subject to availability of resources.

The financial support will cover implementation of SBCC activities that complement Nutri-Cash interventions.

Funding will support activities contributing to improved nutrition outcomes among:

Pregnant women.
Breastfeeding women.
Children under two years of age.
Children participating in nutrition programmes during implementation.

Who Is Eligible?

The opportunity is open to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that have the capacity to implement community-level activities in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

Eligible organizations should demonstrate:

Local presence and community networks.
Experience working with refugee or vulnerable populations.
Knowledge of nutrition and social behaviour change approaches.
Ability to engage communities effectively.
Experience implementing health, nutrition, or development programmes.
Capacity to deliver activities according to WFP expectations.

Organizations with previous experience working with United Nations agencies will be considered positively.

Required Organizational Capacity

Applicants should demonstrate:

Technical Experience

Organizations should have experience in areas such as:

Nutrition education.
Community outreach.
Behaviour change communication.
Health promotion.
Community mobilization.
Referral systems.

Community Engagement Ability

Applicants should show:

Strong relationships with local communities.
Understanding of community challenges.
Ability to involve community members in planning and implementation.

Implementation Capacity

Organizations should provide evidence of:

Qualified staff.
Realistic implementation plans.
Monitoring systems.
Financial management capacity.
Sustainability planning.

How to Apply

Interested Community-Based Organizations should submit an Expression of Interest proposal explaining their ability to support the ENGAGE Project.

The proposal should include:

Organizational background.
Relevant experience.
Understanding of nutrition and SBCC activities.
Proposed activities.
Implementation timeline.
Expected results.
Sustainability approach.
Innovative approaches.
Previous experience with United Nations organizations, if applicable.

Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed activities will contribute to improving nutrition outcomes among refugee and affected communities.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on several factors, including:

Cost Effectiveness

Reviewers will consider:

Reasonable budget planning.
Efficient use of resources.
Value for money.

Sector Expertise and Experience

Assessment will consider:

Experience in nutrition and community development.
Technical knowledge of SBCC approaches.
Previous relevant projects.

Relevance of the Proposal

Applications should demonstrate:

Clear alignment with WFP objectives.
Contribution to expected nutrition outcomes.
Understanding of community needs.

Local Presence and Experience

Preference will be given to organizations with:

Strong community connections.
Experience working in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement or similar environments.

Innovation and Sustainability

Proposals should include:

Creative community engagement methods.
Long-term sustainability strategies.
Approaches that can be adapted for future programmes.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Community-based organizations play a critical role in improving nutrition outcomes because they understand local challenges and can build trust among affected populations.

Through this partnership, organizations can contribute to:

Reducing malnutrition.
Improving maternal and child health.
Strengthening community resilience.
Supporting refugee and host communities.
Creating sustainable nutrition behaviour changes.

Common Application Tips

Applicants should:

Clearly connect activities with nutrition outcomes.
Highlight local community experience.
Provide measurable expected results.
Explain how communities will participate.
Include realistic timelines.
Demonstrate previous programme achievements.
Show how activities will continue beyond the funding period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the WFP ENGAGE Project?
The WFP ENGAGE Project supports Social and Behaviour Change Communication activities linked with Nutri-Cash programmes to improve nutrition practices among refugee and affected communities in Uganda.

2. Who can apply for this opportunity?
Community-Based Organizations with local presence, relevant experience, and capacity to implement SBCC activities in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement can apply.

3. What activities will the selected organizations implement?
Organizations will support nutrition education, care groups, referrals, community engagement, hygiene promotion, and behaviour change activities.

4. Which communities will benefit from the project?
The programme targets refugees and affected communities in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, including pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children, and vulnerable households.

5. What is the available funding amount?
The indicative partnership budget is 70,000,000, subject to availability of funds.

6. Does previous UN experience matter?
Previous experience working with United Nations organizations is considered during evaluation but is not the only selection factor.

7. How will proposals be evaluated?
Proposals will be assessed based on technical expertise, local experience, cost effectiveness, relevance, innovation, implementation planning, and sustainability.

Conclusion

The WFP ENGAGE Project provides an opportunity for Community-Based Organizations in Uganda to strengthen nutrition outcomes through community-led Social and Behaviour Change Communication activities.

By combining local knowledge, nutrition education, and community participation with Nutri-Cash interventions, the programme aims to create lasting improvements in maternal and child nutrition, health practices, and community resilience in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement.