Deadline: 04-Sep-2026
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting applications to implement programmes that strengthen protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees, asylum seekers, forcibly displaced persons, and stateless people in Moldova. The initiative supports projects that improve access to asylum, legal protection, education, livelihoods, social inclusion, shelter, and voluntary return while strengthening national protection systems.
About the Opportunity
UNHCR is seeking qualified partners to deliver comprehensive protection and inclusion programmes for forcibly displaced and stateless populations in Moldova.
The initiative aims to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless people can access legal protection, essential services, education, livelihoods, and durable solutions without discrimination. It also supports Moldova’s efforts to strengthen national protection systems in line with European Union and international protection standards.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen protection for refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless people.
- Improve access to asylum procedures and legal status.
- Promote durable solutions through integration, reintegration, and voluntary return.
- Strengthen inclusion within national social, economic, and governance systems.
- Enhance access to education, livelihoods, and essential services.
- Improve protection for children, women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
- Build the capacity of national institutions responsible for refugee and statelessness protection.
Priority Focus Areas
Applications should address one or more of the following areas:
- Disability inclusion and accessibility.
- Durable solutions, including integration, reintegration, and voluntary return.
- Education.
- Livelihoods and self-reliance.
- Cash and voucher assistance.
- Access to asylum.
- Child protection.
- Gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.
- Legal assistance and access to justice.
- Protection support services.
- Registration and profiling.
- Shelter construction and reconstruction.
- Statelessness identification and protection.
Expected Activities
Supported projects may include:
- Providing legal counselling and legal representation.
- Supporting asylum and statelessness determination procedures.
- Strengthening reception arrangements for refugees.
- Conducting protection-sensitive border monitoring.
- Supporting registration and documentation processes.
- Delivering targeted cash assistance for vulnerable households.
- Expanding gender-based violence prevention and response services.
- Strengthening child protection systems.
- Building the capacity of government institutions.
- Supporting refugee-led, women-led, and community-based organisations.
- Promoting social cohesion between refugees and host communities.
- Supporting voluntary return and reintegration where appropriate.
- Improving shelter and housing conditions.
Expected Results
The programme is expected to achieve:
- Improved access to asylum procedures and international protection.
- Increased access to legal documentation and civil registration.
- Stronger reception and protection systems.
- Enhanced legal assistance and access to justice.
- Improved identification and protection of stateless persons.
- Better protection for women, children, and persons with specific needs.
- Increased access to education and livelihood opportunities.
- Expanded use of targeted cash assistance.
- Greater social inclusion and community participation.
- Stronger national systems aligned with EU and international standards.
Who is Eligible?
The opportunity is intended for organizations capable of implementing refugee protection and inclusion programmes in Moldova.
Eligible applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience in refugee protection or humanitarian programming.
- Expertise in asylum, legal protection, child protection, or gender-based violence.
- Capacity to deliver livelihoods, education, or shelter interventions.
- Knowledge of international refugee protection principles.
- Strong programme management and financial accountability systems.
- Experience working with government institutions and local communities.
- Ability to support vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Who Will Benefit?
The programme supports:
- Refugees.
- Asylum seekers.
- Stateless people.
- Forcibly displaced persons.
- Women and girls.
- Children and youth.
- Persons with disabilities.
- Older persons.
- Vulnerable refugee households.
- Host communities.
Why This Initiative Matters
Forcibly displaced and stateless people often face significant barriers to legal protection, education, employment, healthcare, and social inclusion. Strengthening national protection systems and expanding access to essential services helps refugees rebuild their lives while supporting host communities and promoting long-term stability.
By investing in protection, inclusion, and durable solutions, the initiative contributes to greater self-reliance, stronger social cohesion, and improved compliance with international refugee protection standards.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Review the complete call for proposals and eligibility requirements.
- Select the protection or inclusion sectors that match their expertise.
- Develop a project proposal aligned with UNHCR priorities.
- Demonstrate organisational capacity and relevant technical experience.
- Prepare a realistic implementation plan and budget.
- Include all required supporting documentation.
- Submit the completed application through the designated application platform before the deadline.
Application Tips
- Clearly demonstrate expertise in refugee and statelessness programming.
- Align proposed activities with UNHCR protection priorities.
- Show experience working with vulnerable populations.
- Include measurable outcomes and monitoring indicators.
- Demonstrate partnerships with government institutions and local stakeholders.
- Ensure activities promote inclusion, gender equality, and accessibility.
- Present a realistic and cost-effective implementation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this UNHCR call?
The initiative supports projects that strengthen protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees, asylum seekers, forcibly displaced people, and stateless persons in Moldova.
Which sectors are supported?
Supported sectors include protection, education, livelihoods, shelter, legal assistance, child protection, gender-based violence prevention, disability inclusion, cash assistance, and durable solutions.
Who are the primary beneficiaries?
The programme benefits refugees, asylum seekers, stateless people, vulnerable displaced populations, and host communities in Moldova.
What are durable solutions?
Durable solutions include long-term approaches such as local integration, voluntary return, and reintegration that enable displaced people to rebuild their lives safely and sustainably.
Does the programme support legal protection?
Yes. The initiative supports asylum procedures, legal counselling, legal documentation, access to justice, and statelessness determination.
Will projects support vulnerable groups?
Yes. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and other individuals with specific needs.
Conclusion
The UNHCR initiative offers an important opportunity for organizations working in refugee protection, humanitarian assistance, and social inclusion to strengthen support for forcibly displaced and stateless people in Moldova. Through investments in legal protection, education, livelihoods, child protection, gender equality, and durable solutions, the programme aims to improve safety, dignity, and long-term inclusion while reinforcing national protection systems in line with international standards.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
