Deadline: 17-Feb-2026
UN Women Ethiopia is inviting civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement a time-bound partnership under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Humanitarian Action Programme. The initiative aims to strengthen women’s leadership, institutional capacity, and inclusive participation in peace and security processes across Ethiopia. Eligible proposals must request a budget between USD 120,000 and USD 130,000 (submitted in Ethiopian Birr using the UN Operational Exchange Rate).
The UN Women Ethiopia Country Office is seeking qualified civil society organizations to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and security governance processes at the national level.
This is a time-bound intervention aligned with Ethiopia’s commitments under UNSCR 1325, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5 and SDG 16).
Programme Focus Areas
The initiative supports interventions in the following areas:
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Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and humanitarian action
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Implementation of Ethiopia’s National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325
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Women’s meaningful participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution
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Community-based peacebuilding initiatives
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Institutional capacity strengthening of women-led organizations
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Gender equality and women’s empowerment
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Protection from human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence
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Inclusive decision-making in peace and security processes
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Alignment with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
Context: Why This Initiative Is Needed
Ethiopia continues to face internal conflicts resulting in:
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Insecurity
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Displacement
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Destruction of livelihoods
Women and girls are disproportionately affected.
Despite national and global commitments, progress under the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains slow, particularly in:
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Participation
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Protection
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Prevention
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Recovery
This initiative aims to address these gaps through structured engagement and institutional strengthening.
Project Scope and Geographic Coverage
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Implementation Level: National
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Type: Time-bound partnership
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Objective: Enhance women’s participation in peace and security processes across Ethiopia
Budget and Financial Requirements
Eligible proposals must:
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Request funding between USD 120,000 and USD 130,000
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Submit budgets in Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
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Use the UN Operational Exchange Rate applicable at the submission deadline for currency conversion
All costs must align with the proposed activities and objectives.
Expected Results and Core Activities
The selected partner organization will:
1. Establish Formal Consultation Mechanisms
Create structured platforms enabling women-led organizations to contribute to:
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Peace negotiations
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Security policy discussions
2. Strengthen Informal and Customary Peace Initiatives
Support women-led peace efforts working with:
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Community elders
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Traditional peace structures
Ensure women’s voices are integrated into customary processes.
3. Engage Educational Institutions
Work with:
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Universities
Raise awareness among youth on peacebuilding and conflict resolution to develop future peace leaders.
4. Strengthen Civil Society Networks
Reinforce collaboration among:
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Civil society organizations
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Women’s rights organizations
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Grassroots groups
Promote coordinated advocacy for women’s participation in peace processes nationwide.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be:
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Civil society organizations (CSOs)
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Demonstrated experience in:
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Peacebuilding
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Conflict resolution
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Advocacy for women’s participation
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Proven work at:
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Grassroots level
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National level
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Organizations must show institutional capacity to implement a national-level, time-bound project aligned with the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Key Concepts Explained
Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
The WPS agenda, established under UN Security Council Resolution 1325, promotes women’s participation, protection, prevention of conflict, and recovery in post-conflict settings.
Meaningful Participation
Refers to active, influential engagement of women in decision-making processes, rather than symbolic or token inclusion.
Institutional Capacity Strengthening
Improving systems, structures, governance, skills, and sustainability of organizations to effectively contribute to peace and security processes.
How to Apply (What Applicants Should Do)
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Confirm organizational eligibility and relevant experience.
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Design a national-level project aligned with:
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WPS priorities
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Ethiopia’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325
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SDG 5 and SDG 16
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Develop a detailed activity plan supporting:
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Formal consultation mechanisms
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Community-based peacebuilding
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Institutional strengthening
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Prepare a budget between USD 120,000–130,000 in Ethiopian Birr.
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Apply the UN Operational Exchange Rate valid at the submission deadline.
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Submit the proposal according to UN Women Ethiopia’s application requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting a budget outside the USD 120,000–130,000 range
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Failing to convert currency using the correct UN Operational Exchange Rate
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Proposing activities not aligned with the WPS framework
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Weak demonstration of prior peacebuilding experience
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Lack of clear national-level impact strategy
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Insufficient inclusion of women-led and grassroots organizations
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative:
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Advances implementation of Ethiopia’s National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325
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Strengthens women’s leadership in peace and security
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Supports inclusive and accountable governance
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Enhances protection from gender-based violence
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Builds sustainable networks for long-term peacebuilding
By institutionalizing women’s participation, the programme aims to create structural change in peace processes rather than short-term engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for this call?
Qualified civil society organizations with demonstrated experience in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and women’s advocacy in Ethiopia.
2. What is the funding range?
Proposals must request between USD 120,000 and USD 130,000.
3. In what currency should the budget be submitted?
Budgets must be submitted in Ethiopian Birr (ETB) using the UN Operational Exchange Rate.
4. Is the project national or regional?
The project will be implemented at the national level in Ethiopia.
5. What thematic framework guides this initiative?
The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, UNSCR 1325, and SDG 5 and SDG 16.
6. What type of activities are expected?
Activities include consultation mechanisms, strengthening women-led peace initiatives, engaging educational institutions, and reinforcing civil society networks.
7. Is this a long-term grant?
No. It is a time-bound partnership intervention.
Conclusion
The UN Women Ethiopia Women, Peace and Security Programme seeks experienced civil society organizations to strengthen women’s leadership and participation in national peace and security processes. With funding between USD 120,000 and USD 130,000, this time-bound intervention aims to institutionalize women’s voices in formal and customary peace mechanisms, reinforce civil society networks, and advance Ethiopia’s commitments under UNSCR 1325 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, visit UN Women.
