Call for EOIs: Capacity Building on Non-Discrimination in Education (Ukraine)

Deadline: 03-Apr-2026

UNICEF Ukraine invites organizations to submit expressions of interest to train education experts in integrating non-discrimination principles into textbooks and learning materials. The initiative focuses on equality, equity, inclusion, and gender-responsiveness, providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and pilot exercises for 600 subject experts and methodologists. The program aims to institutionalize non-discrimination standards in Ukraine’s education system for sustainable, barrier-free learning.

About the Initiative

This UNICEF project, implemented in partnership with the Ukrainian Institute of Education Development, strengthens institutional capacity to review educational content for non-discrimination. It expands the responsibilities of expert commissions to assess both subject matter and anti-discrimination aspects, building a sustainable system to ensure consistent quality over time.

Key objectives:

• Embed equality, equity, and non-discrimination in educational materials
• Identify and mitigate explicit and implicit bias, stereotypes, and exclusion
• Promote inclusive language, diversity, and representation of social groups
• Apply disability inclusion, universal design, and gender-responsive approaches
• Develop sustainable methodologies for non-discrimination expertise

Core Focus Areas

The program addresses the following principles and methodologies:

Non-Discrimination and Equity

• Recognizing direct and indirect discrimination
• Applying intersectional approaches to education
• Ensuring reasonable accommodation for diverse learners

Bias and Stereotype Identification

• Detecting explicit and implicit bias in textbooks and learning materials
• Mitigating gender-based and social group stereotyping

Inclusive Language and Representation

• Using gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive terminology
• Ensuring diversity and representation of all social groups

Disability Inclusion and Accessibility

• Integrating universal design principles for learning materials
• Promoting barrier-free education and accessibility standards

Gender Equality

• Preventing gender-based stereotyping
• Strengthening gender-responsive pedagogical approaches

Practical Methodologies

• Conducting non-discrimination expertise reviews
• Formulating actionable recommendations for educational content

Training Programme for Experts and Methodologists

Target Audience

• 600 subject experts and methodologists in Ukraine

Training Components

• Theoretical knowledge and interactive workshops
• Case-based learning using real educational materials
• Mentorship and guided practical exercises
• Certification tasks to ensure consistent application of standards

Methodologist Role

• Provide ongoing coaching, supervision, and quality assurance
• Participate in all training sessions and specialized mentoring workshops
• Conduct follow-up consultations to support sustained institutional capacity

Practical Application: Pilot Exercises

• Trained experts perform guided reviews of educational materials
• Detailed feedback ensures accuracy, consistency, and clarity in assessments
• Exercises promote confident, real-world application of non-discrimination principles

Institutionalization and Sustainability

The initiative includes:

• Development of internal policies and methodological guidance
• Review of existing institutional procedures
• Co-development of a practical handbook for non-discrimination expertise
• Validation workshops to refine guidance
• Digital integration for long-term scalability and accessibility

Expected Outcomes

• Inclusive, gender-responsive, and non-discriminatory educational content
• Trained experts capable of conducting consistent content reviews
• Strengthened institutional capacity to maintain high-quality, equitable education
• Barrier-free learning environments for all students in Ukraine

How to Participate / Next Steps

1. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Confirm organizational capacity to deliver training programs.
2. Design Training Programme: Develop modules combining theory, practical exercises, and mentorship.
3. Implement Pilot Exercises: Conduct guided reviews and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
4. Institutionalize Standards: Develop internal policies, handbooks, and digital integration tools.
5. Certify Participants: Ensure subject experts and methodologists can consistently apply non-discrimination standards.

Tips and Considerations

• Ensure content addresses intersectionality, gender, and disability inclusion.
• Use real educational materials for practical exercises to enhance learning outcomes.
• Plan for long-term sustainability by embedding policies and guidance within institutions.
• Facilitate follow-up mentoring to strengthen institutional expertise.

FAQs

1. Who can respond to this UNICEF call?
Organizations capable of designing and delivering training for subject experts and methodologists in Ukraine.

2. How many participants will be trained?
The program targets 600 subject experts and methodologists.

3. What topics will the training cover?
Core areas include equality, equity, non-discrimination, bias identification, inclusive language, disability inclusion, gender equality, and practical review methodologies.

4. What practical components are included?
Case-based learning, pilot exercises, feedback sessions, and mentorship to apply non-discrimination principles in real educational materials.

5. How will sustainability be ensured?
Through policy development, methodological guidance, handbooks, validation workshops, and digital integration for long-term use.

6. What outputs will the project deliver?
Certified subject experts and methodologists, inclusive educational content reviews, institutionalized non-discrimination standards, and digital tools for ongoing guidance.

7. What is the ultimate goal of this initiative?
To create inclusive, barrier-free, and gender-responsive education in Ukraine, ensuring equal access to quality learning materials for all students.

Conclusion

This UNICEF initiative promotes equitable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory education in Ukraine by equipping experts with the knowledge and tools to identify and eliminate bias in learning materials. Through training, pilot exercises, mentorship, and institutional guidance, the program establishes a sustainable framework for ensuring quality, inclusive education that benefits all learners.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.