Grants for Advancing Peace and Stability in Sinjar (Iraq)

Deadline: 29-Dec-2025

UN Women, through the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), is inviting partnership proposals for the project “Advancing Peace and Stability in Sinjar” to strengthen social cohesion, transitional justice, and inclusive peacebuilding in Sinjar District, Iraq. The initiative prioritizes women, youth, and persons with disabilities, with grants ranging from USD 150,000 to USD 200,000 until September 2026.

The UN Women Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) project “Advancing Peace and Stability in Sinjar” seeks to support inclusive peacebuilding, reconciliation, and social cohesion in Sinjar District, Ninewa Governorate. The project focuses on empowering women and youth as key agents in peace processes, governance, and transitional justice to promote long-term stability in a post-conflict context.

Project Context and Rationale

Sinjar has experienced prolonged conflict and displacement, resulting in fractured social relations and weakened local governance. This project aims to create an enabling environment for sustainable development by strengthening inclusive decision-making, rebuilding trust, and promoting peaceful coexistence among diverse community groups.

Core Objective

The central objective of the project is to enhance the meaningful participation of Sinjar communities in transitional justice mechanisms, contributing to conflict prevention, mitigation, and management while reinforcing social cohesion and reconciliation.

Key Focus Areas

The project prioritizes:

• Social cohesion and inclusive reconciliation processes

• Women’s leadership and participation in peacebuilding

• Youth engagement in peace and governance processes

• Inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making

• Community-based transitional justice mechanisms

• Conflict prevention and peaceful coexistence

Why This Project Matters

This initiative is critical because it:

• Places women and youth at the center of peacebuilding and reconciliation

• Strengthens local ownership of peace processes

• Builds durable community-level peace structures

• Supports inclusive governance in a fragile, post-conflict setting

• Contributes to long-term stability and sustainable development in Sinjar

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible applicants must be organizations with:

• A proven mandate aligned with women’s empowerment, peacebuilding, or community development

• Demonstrated experience working in fragile or post-conflict settings

• Strong community outreach capacity in Sinjar or similar contexts

• Ability to manage governance, financial, and administrative responsibilities effectively

Partner Competency Requirements

UN Women will assess applicants based on:

• Technical expertise in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and transitional justice

• Experience establishing inclusive community-level peace mechanisms

• Functional capacity for financial management, reporting, and compliance

• Credibility and strong networks within Sinjar communities

• Established relationships with women-led organizations, youth groups, activists, and local leaders

Target Groups

The project places special emphasis on:

• Women and women-led organizations

• Youth, including young peacebuilders

• Persons with disabilities

• Community leaders and local peace actors

• Marginalized and conflict-affected populations

How the Partnership Works

Selected partners will collaborate with UN Women to implement activities aligned with the project’s outputs. Partners may also propose additional sub-activities that reinforce the main objectives, provided they remain consistent with the overall project framework and results.

Project Duration and Timeline

• Partnership start: Upon signature of the agreement

• Project end date: September 2026

• Implementation period: Approximately 1 year and 3 months

Available Funding

• Grant size: USD 150,000 to USD 200,000

• Funding scope: Covers programmatic, operational, and implementation costs aligned with approved activities

Expected Results

The project aims to achieve:

• Increased participation of women and youth in peacebuilding and governance

• Strengthened community-level peace and reconciliation mechanisms

• Enhanced engagement in transitional justice processes

• Improved social cohesion and trust among Sinjar communities

• Sustainable, locally anchored peace structures linked to governance systems

How to Apply

Applicants should:

1. Design interventions aligned with the project’s peacebuilding and inclusion objectives.

2. Demonstrate relevant technical expertise and local credibility.

3. Propose clear activities and measurable outcomes.

4. Show capacity for effective financial and administrative management.

5. Submit a partnership proposal responding to UN Women’s call.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing activities that exclude women, youth, or persons with disabilities

• Weak alignment with transitional justice and peacebuilding objectives

• Insufficient demonstration of local presence or community trust

• Limited evidence of organizational capacity and governance systems

• Overly broad proposals without clear, measurable results

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main goal of the project?

To strengthen inclusive peacebuilding, social cohesion, and participation in transitional justice in Sinjar District.

Who can apply for this partnership?

Organizations with strong experience in peacebuilding, women’s empowerment, and community engagement in fragile or post-conflict settings.

How much funding is available?

Between USD 150,000 and USD 200,000 per selected partner.

How long is the project duration?

Approximately one year and three months, ending in September 2026.

Are women and youth mandatory target groups?

Yes. Women, youth, and persons with disabilities are central to the project design.

Can applicants propose additional activities?

Yes, partners may propose sub-activities that support the core project objectives.

When does the partnership start?

Immediately after the agreement is signed with UN Women.

Conclusion

The UN Women Peacebuilding Fund project “Advancing Peace and Stability in Sinjar” offers a strategic opportunity for capable organizations to contribute to inclusive peace, reconciliation, and transitional justice in a post-conflict context. By centering women, youth, and marginalized groups, the project aims to build durable community structures that support long-term peace and stability in Sinjar.

For more information, visit UN Women.