Deadline: 13-Feb-2026
UNHCR Türkiye invites local and refugee-led organizations to apply for grants to strengthen community engagement and protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Funding of up to USD 12,000 per partner per year supports programs in protection, social cohesion, child protection, gender-based violence response, and community empowerment.
Program Overview
The UNHCR Türkiye Grant Initiative aims to:
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Strengthen protection and access to essential services for refugees and stateless persons
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Promote social cohesion and mutual understanding between refugee and host communities
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Empower communities through peer-support groups, protection committees, and participatory structures
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Address age, gender, and diversity considerations to ensure inclusive support
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Enhance early identification of individuals with specific needs and referral to services
The initiative complements Türkiye’s public protection mechanisms and engages Local and National Actors (LNAs), including national NGOs, community-based actors, and refugee-led organizations (RLOs), who play a critical role in reaching diverse communities and facilitating access to essential services.
Focus Areas
Selected organizations will implement programs in one or more of the following areas:
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Protection services: General protection support, safe referrals, and access to specialized services
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Community engagement: Empowering communities to participate in protection programming
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Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response
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Child protection: Providing child-friendly and protective interventions
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Support for persons with specific needs
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Social cohesion: Initiatives that build trust and collaboration between refugee and host communities
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Community structure reinforcement: Strengthening protection committees and peer-support groups
Funding Details
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Grant amount: Up to USD 12,000 per partner per year
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Disbursement: In Turkish Lira at the UN official exchange rate applicable during payment
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Expected standards: Partners must adhere to sector standards relevant to UNHCR’s areas of specialization
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Use of funds: Grants support direct implementation of community-led protection and empowerment activities
Eligibility
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Local NGOs, community-based actors, and refugee-led organizations operating in Türkiye
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Organizations must demonstrate capacity to deliver protection and community engagement programs
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Experience working with refugees, stateless persons, or vulnerable populations is preferred
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Ability to adhere to UNHCR principles of inclusiveness, confidentiality, accountability, and protection
Key Responsibilities
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Facilitate access to protection services for at-risk individuals
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Strengthen community structures like peer-support groups and protection committees
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Promote awareness of available services among refugees and host communities
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Foster social cohesion through inclusive community initiatives
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Collect and report on program outcomes in line with UNHCR monitoring standards
FAQs
1. Who can apply?
Local NGOs, national NGOs, community-based organizations, and refugee-led organizations operating in Türkiye.
2. What is the grant amount?
Up to USD 12,000 per partner per year, disbursed in Turkish Lira.
3. Can the funding cover operational costs?
Funds are intended for program implementation supporting protection, community engagement, and empowerment. Specific operational costs must comply with UNHCR guidelines.
4. What populations are targeted?
Forcibly displaced persons, refugees, stateless persons, and vulnerable individuals requiring protection or support.
5. Are there standards or guidelines to follow?
Yes, all projects must adhere to sector standards applicable to protection, GBV, child protection, and community engagement.
6. How are funds monitored?
Partners must report on program outcomes, impact, and adherence to UNHCR standards, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Conclusion
The UNHCR Türkiye Grant Initiative provides a critical opportunity for local and refugee-led organizations to support vulnerable populations through protection services, community engagement, and social cohesion programs. By empowering communities, reinforcing local structures, and facilitating access to essential services, this initiative enhances resilience and strengthens the rights and well-being of refugees and stateless persons in Türkiye. Successful partners will contribute directly to UNHCR’s strategic outcomes, creating sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve the lives of those most in need.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.