Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

UNICEF is offering a funding opportunity to strengthen adolescent, maternal, newborn, and mental health services in Peru. Targeting Loreto, Ucayali, and Metropolitan Lima, the initiative focuses on integrated health interventions, supportive educational environments, and regulatory improvements, with an indicative budget of USD 420,000.

Overview of the Initiative

The UNICEF Peru Health Initiative aims to improve access to adolescent, maternal, newborn, and mental health services through coordinated interventions across health systems, schools, and community environments. The program aligns with UNICEF’s 2022–2026 Cooperation Program and focuses on addressing deep structural inequalities based on gender, socioeconomic status, and geography.

Focus Areas

The initiative is structured around key thematic areas:

Adolescent Health

• Sexual and reproductive health education and services

• Prevention of unintended adolescent pregnancy

• Promotion of adolescent mental health

Maternal and Newborn Health

• Comprehensive maternity and newborn care

• Emergency obstetric care

• Support for early motherhood and child developmental outcomes

Mental Health and Well-being

• Development of psychometrically validated instruments for detecting adolescent mental health problems

• Emotional support, stress, anxiety, and depression interventions

• Integration of mental health care within schools and communities

Education and Community Environments

• Promotion of protective and inclusive school environments

• Strengthening family and community support systems

• Gender-sensitive and inclusive educational approaches

Regulatory and Policy Strengthening

• Updating regulatory frameworks to address violence against children and adolescents

• Technical assistance to the Ministry of Health to improve service delivery

Geographic Scope

• Loreto (Amazon region)

• Ucayali (Amazon region)

• Metropolitan Lima

Rationale

• Adolescence is a critical life stage with biological, neurological, and social transformations

• Rural and Amazonian regions experience high adolescent pregnancy rates and maternal mortality

• Mental health challenges, including stress, anxiety, and depression, are prevalent among adolescents and compound other vulnerabilities

• Integrated interventions are required to combine physical health, mental health, education, and community support

Expected Results

• Strengthen knowledge of 100,000 people (primarily adolescents and caregivers) on preventing unintended adolescent pregnancy and comprehensive maternity and newborn care

• Ensure 12,000 adolescent students in Ucayali and Metropolitan Lima access supportive educational environments promoting mental, sexual, and reproductive health

• Support the Ministry of Health in developing updated regulatory frameworks and validated tools for detecting adolescent mental health problems

Indicative Budget

• USD 420,000 allocated for the initiative

Who Can Apply

• Organizations with technical and territorial capacity to implement integrated health, education, and community programs

• Partners with experience in adolescent, maternal, newborn, and mental health interventions

How to Apply

1. Demonstrate technical expertise and capacity to implement health, education, and community interventions

2. Prepare a proposal aligned with UNICEF’s initiative objectives and focus areas

3. Submit the application within the specified deadline and guidelines provided by UNICEF

4. Ensure measurable outcomes and monitoring mechanisms for knowledge, access, and regulatory improvements

Why It Matters

• Addresses high rates of adolescent pregnancy and maternal mortality in Peru

• Enhances access to comprehensive adolescent, maternal, and mental health services

• Strengthens inclusive and protective educational environments

• Supports policy and regulatory improvements to protect children and adolescents

FAQs

1. Who is the target population?
   Adolescents, mothers, newborns, caregivers, and school communities in Loreto, Ucayali, and Metropolitan Lima.

2. What are the main focus areas?
   Adolescent health, maternal and newborn care, adolescent mental health, inclusive education, and regulatory strengthening.

3. How many people will benefit?

• 100,000 adolescents and caregivers for health knowledge

• 12,000 adolescent students for supportive educational environments

4. What is the budget for the initiative?
   USD 420,000 (indicative)

5. Who can apply for funding?
   Organizations with technical capacity and experience in adolescent, maternal, newborn, and mental health programs.

6. Why is this initiative important?
   To reduce adolescent pregnancy, improve maternal and newborn health, enhance mental well-being, and strengthen protective community and educational environments.

7. How will success be measured?
   Through improvements in knowledge, service access, regulatory frameworks, and validated mental health tools.

Conclusion

This UNICEF initiative provides a strategic opportunity to strengthen adolescent, maternal, newborn, and mental health services in Peru. By integrating health interventions, supportive educational settings, and policy improvements, the program aims to foster long-term well-being, protection, and empowerment for vulnerable adolescents and communities.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.