CFAs: ENGAGE Project for Community-Based Organizations Supporting SBCC Delivery in Nutri-Cash Programmes (Uganda)

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking Expressions of Interest from Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to implement Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) activities under the ENGAGE Project in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Uganda. The partnership will strengthen nutrition outcomes among refugees and vulnerable communities by improving maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition practices through education, community engagement, referrals, and behaviour change interventions.

The programme will run from 15 September 2026 to 31 December 2026 and will support community-based organizations with an indicative partnership budget of 70,000,000 to deliver nutrition-focused SBCC activities that complement WFP’s Nutri-Cash programmes.

Overview of the WFP ENGAGE Project SBCC Partnership

The World Food Programme (WFP) has launched an opportunity for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to support the implementation of the ENGAGE Project through Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) activities in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

The partnership aims to improve nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices among vulnerable populations by combining community engagement activities with existing Nutri-Cash assistance programmes.

The initiative focuses on preventing malnutrition and improving health behaviours among:

• Pregnant women
• Breastfeeding mothers
• Infants and young children
• Adolescents
• Children enrolled in nutrition programmes
• Refugee and host communities

What is Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC)?

Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) is an approach that uses communication, education, community participation, and behaviour-focused strategies to encourage positive health and nutrition practices.

Under this partnership, SBCC activities will help communities:

• Understand better nutrition practices
• Adopt healthier feeding behaviours
• Improve hygiene and caregiving practices
• Access health and nutrition services
• Strengthen community participation in nutrition programmes

SBCC will complement cash assistance by ensuring that families have the knowledge and support needed to make effective nutrition-related decisions.

Objectives of the ENGAGE Project

The ENGAGE Project aims to strengthen nutrition outcomes through community-led interventions.

Key objectives include:

• Improving maternal, infant, young child, and adolescent nutrition (MIYCAN) practices
• Increasing awareness about healthy diets and dietary diversity
• Supporting early identification and referral of nutrition-related concerns
• Strengthening community participation in nutrition planning
• Improving access to health and nutrition services
• Promoting sustainable behaviour change to reduce malnutrition

Key Areas of Support

Selected Community-Based Organizations will implement activities related to:

Nutrition Education and Awareness

Activities may include:

• Community nutrition education sessions
• Counselling on maternal and child nutrition
• Promotion of appropriate infant and young child feeding practices
• Awareness campaigns on dietary diversity and healthy food choices

Care Groups and Community Mobilization

Organizations will support:

• Community-based care groups
• Peer learning among caregivers
• Local nutrition champions
• Community-led behaviour change activities

Health and Nutrition Referrals

Projects should strengthen links between communities and available services by:

• Identifying individuals requiring nutrition support
• Referring vulnerable families to health and nutrition services
• Supporting follow-up and community monitoring

Hygiene and Caregiving Practices

Activities may promote:

• Improved household hygiene
• Safe food preparation practices
• Better childcare behaviours
• Disease prevention awareness

Partnership Duration and Funding Details

The WFP partnership will operate for approximately three and a half months.

Implementation period:

• Start date: 15 September 2026
• End date: 31 December 2026

Indicative partnership budget:

• Total available funding: 70,000,000

The funding will support organizations implementing SBCC activities that strengthen the impact of Nutri-Cash interventions and improve nutrition outcomes among vulnerable communities.

Who is Eligible?

The opportunity is open to:

• Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
• Local nonprofit organizations
• Community organizations working in refugee and host communities

Eligible organizations should have:

• Local presence in or around Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement
• Experience implementing community-based programmes
• Strong community networks
• Capacity to deliver nutrition and behaviour change activities

Required Organizational Experience

Applicants should demonstrate experience in areas such as:

• Nutrition education
• Infant and young child feeding
• Malnutrition prevention and treatment
• Maternal and child health
• Social protection programmes
• Community mobilization
• Advocacy and awareness activities
• Refugee or vulnerable population support

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

Why This Partnership Matters

Malnutrition remains a major challenge among vulnerable populations affected by displacement, poverty, and limited access to services.

The ENGAGE Project addresses these challenges by combining:

• Financial support through Nutri-Cash programmes
• Community education
• Behaviour change strategies
• Nutrition services referral systems
• Local participation and accountability mechanisms

The partnership aims to create long-term improvements in nutrition practices and strengthen community resilience.

Expected Results of the Programme

Successful implementation is expected to contribute to:

• Improved nutrition knowledge among caregivers
• Increased adoption of recommended feeding practices
• Better maternal and child health behaviours
• Improved use of health and nutrition services
• Stronger community participation
• Better monitoring and accountability systems

How to Apply

Community-Based Organizations interested in participating should prepare an Expression of Interest (EOI) demonstrating their ability to deliver SBCC activities.

Application Steps

Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements

Organizations should confirm that they:

• Have legal organizational status
• Operate in relevant communities
• Have experience in nutrition or community development
• Have the capacity to implement activities within the project timeline

Step 2: Develop a Project Proposal

The proposal should include:

• Organizational background
• Relevant experience
• Proposed SBCC activities
• Implementation methodology
• Expected outcomes
• Timeline and work plan
• Budget details
• Sustainability approach
• Monitoring and accountability mechanisms

Step 3: Demonstrate Community Capacity

Applicants should explain:

• Existing community networks
• Local partnerships
• Experience engaging refugee and vulnerable populations
• Approaches for community feedback and participation

Step 4: Submit Expression of Interest

Applications will be reviewed based on technical quality, organizational capacity, relevance, and value for money.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Cost Effectiveness

Reviewers will assess:

• Budget efficiency
• Value for money
• Realistic financial planning

Technical Expertise

Assessment will consider:

• Nutrition experience
• SBCC knowledge
• Community engagement capacity
• Previous programme implementation experience

Local Presence

Priority will be given to organizations with:

• Strong community relationships
• Understanding of local challenges
• Ability to work directly with affected populations

Proposal Quality

Applications should demonstrate:

• Clear activities
• Measurable results
• Realistic timelines
• Strong implementation strategies

Innovation and Sustainability

Organizations should highlight:

• Innovative community approaches
• Long-term sustainability plans
• Community ownership mechanisms

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting unclear project activities
• Providing unrealistic timelines
• Failing to explain community engagement methods
• Ignoring monitoring and accountability systems
• Submitting budgets without clear justification
• Not demonstrating previous nutrition or SBCC experience

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve competitiveness, organizations should:

• Clearly connect activities with nutrition outcomes
• Use evidence-based SBCC approaches
• Highlight previous work with vulnerable communities
• Include measurable indicators
• Explain how communities will participate in decision-making
• Demonstrate collaboration with local stakeholders

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of the WFP ENGAGE Project?

The ENGAGE Project aims to improve nutrition outcomes by implementing Social and Behaviour Change Communication activities that complement WFP Nutri-Cash programmes in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Uganda.

Who can apply for this partnership?

Community-Based Organizations with local presence, relevant experience, and capacity to implement nutrition-focused SBCC activities can apply.

What type of activities will be supported?

Supported activities include nutrition education, care groups, community mobilization, health referrals, hygiene promotion, caregiving support, and behaviour change interventions.

What is the duration of the partnership?

The partnership will run from 15 September 2026 to 31 December 2026, approximately three and a half months.

What is the available funding amount?

The indicative partnership budget is 70,000,000 to support implementation of SBCC activities.

Is previous United Nations experience required?

Previous UN experience is not mandatory, but organizations with relevant UN partnership experience may receive consideration during evaluation.

How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will be assessed based on technical expertise, cost effectiveness, local experience, proposal quality, innovation, sustainability, and ability to achieve expected nutrition outcomes.

Conclusion

The WFP ENGAGE Project provides an important opportunity for Community-Based Organizations in Uganda to strengthen nutrition outcomes among refugee and vulnerable communities. Through Social and Behaviour Change Communication, selected organizations will help improve maternal and child nutrition practices, increase access to essential services, and support sustainable community-led solutions against malnutrition.