Deadline: 07-Jun-2026
The UNICEF SNEH (Safe and Nurturing Environment for Holistic Development) Programme in Rajasthan aims to strengthen foster care and family-based alternative care systems for vulnerable children. The initiative focuses on reducing children’s dependence on institutional care through foster care, family reunification, sponsorship support, counselling, and child protection system strengthening across all 41 districts of Rajasthan.
Overview of the SNEH Programme
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched the SNEH Programme in Rajasthan, India, to promote safe and nurturing family environments for children in need of care and protection.
The programme supports foster care, family reunification, deinstitutionalization, sponsorship services, positive parenting, and community-based child protection systems. It is aligned with the Juvenile Justice Act 2015, Model Rules 2016, and Mission Vatsalya 2022.
The initiative aims to reduce long-term institutionalization of children and strengthen government-led child welfare systems across Rajasthan.
Key Objectives
The SNEH Programme focuses on:
- Promoting family-based alternative care
- Expanding foster care systems
- Preventing unnecessary family separation
- Supporting deinstitutionalization and reintegration
- Strengthening child protection mechanisms
- Improving counselling and aftercare services
- Building awareness about positive parenting and child rights
What is Family-Based Alternative Care?
Family-based alternative care refers to placing children in supportive family environments instead of institutional care whenever possible.
This includes:
- Foster care
- Kinship care
- Family reunification
- Sponsorship-based family support
These systems help improve emotional well-being, social development, and long-term stability for children.
Key Components of the Programme
Foster Care Expansion
The programme will identify, train, and support foster families across Rajasthan through counselling, monitoring, and placement support.
Child Protection System Strengthening
Capacity-building activities will support:
- Child Welfare Committees (CWCs)
- District Child Protection Units (DCPUs)
- Counsellors and social workers
Family Reunification and Deinstitutionalization
The programme promotes safe reintegration of children into families through counselling, parent-child bonding activities, and awareness campaigns.
Sponsorship and Aftercare Support
Support services include:
- Educational support
- Financial sponsorship
- Counselling and mentorship
- Transition support for young adults leaving care systems
Who is Eligible?
The programme primarily supports:
- Children in need of care and protection
- Children living in institutional care
- Vulnerable families
- Children requiring foster care placements
- Young adults needing aftercare support
It also benefits foster families, caregivers, counsellors, and child protection authorities.
How the Programme Works
The implementation process includes:
- Identification of vulnerable children
- Family and caregiver assessment
- Foster family recruitment and training
- Placement and reintegration support
- Counselling, monitoring, and follow-up
- Aftercare and sponsorship assistance
Expected Impact
The SNEH Programme aims to:
- Increase foster care placements
- Reduce institutional care dependency
- Improve child protection systems
- Strengthen family reunification mechanisms
- Enhance children’s emotional and social well-being
- Build sustainable child welfare systems in Rajasthan
The programme also aims to reach nearly 10 lakh people through awareness and advocacy activities.
Budget and Coverage
- Indicative Budget: USD 73,000
- Geographic Coverage: All 41 districts of Rajasthan, India
Why the Programme Matters
Many children in Rajasthan continue to remain in institutional care due to limited awareness and weak family-based support systems.
The SNEH Programme promotes a child-centered approach focused on family care, emotional security, and community support. It also strengthens long-term foster care and sponsorship systems that align with India’s child protection policies.
Common Challenges
Some challenges in implementing foster care systems include:
- Limited awareness about foster care
- Social stigma around alternative caregiving
- Shortage of trained foster families
- Weak monitoring and counselling systems
The programme addresses these issues through training, awareness campaigns, counselling support, and stronger institutional coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the UNICEF SNEH Programme?
It is a UNICEF initiative in Rajasthan focused on strengthening foster care and family-based child protection systems.
Which areas will the programme cover?
The programme will cover all 41 districts of Rajasthan.
What is the main goal of the programme?
The main goal is to reduce children’s dependence on institutional care and promote safe family-based care systems.
What support services are included?
The programme includes foster care, sponsorship services, counselling, aftercare support, awareness campaigns, and family reunification initiatives.
What is the programme budget?
The indicative budget is USD 73,000.
Conclusion
The UNICEF SNEH Programme is an important initiative aimed at strengthening foster care, family reunification, and child protection systems in Rajasthan. By promoting family-based care and reducing institutionalization, the programme seeks to improve the long-term well-being, stability, and protection of vulnerable children across the state.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.