Call for Expression of Interest: Emergency Education Support (Colombia)

Deadline: 27-Mar-2026

UNICEF is seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) from qualified implementing partners to support emergency education responses for children and adolescents affected by armed conflict, climate-related disasters, and displacement in prioritized areas of Colombia. With an indicative budget of 300,000, the opportunity focuses on education in emergencies, safe learning spaces, out-of-school education, learning recovery, psychosocial support, and basic school rehabilitation.

About the Opportunity

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting qualified implementing partners to deliver Education in Emergencies (EiE) interventions in Colombia.

The goal is to help children and adolescents affected by sudden or prolonged emergencies access, return to, and remain in education through safe learning environments, protective educational spaces, and coordinated protection support.

Focus Areas

This opportunity focuses on:

• Education

• Education in Emergencies (EiE)

• Learning outcomes

• Out-of-school education

Priority Locations in Colombia

The intervention targets territories affected by complex emergencies in:

• La Guajira

• Norte de Santander

• Arauca

• Córdoba

• Nariño

• Cauca

• Chocó

• Guainía

• Vichada

Applicants should have a presence in at least one of these prioritized territories.

Why This Matters

Colombia continues to face a serious humanitarian crisis affecting children’s education.

Key drivers include:

• Armed conflict and insecurity

• Climate-related disasters

• Internal displacement

• Mixed migration flows

• Attacks on schools and roads

• Child recruitment by armed actors

• Flooding and landslides in early 2026

• Large-scale disruption to schooling

These factors have increased the number of out-of-school children and deepened protection risks.

Funding Information

• Indicative budget: 300,000

Who Should Apply?

UNICEF is looking for one or more implementing partners that:

• Have a presence in at least one prioritized department

• Have proven experience in Education in Emergencies

• Can deliver field-based education and protection-linked interventions

• Can work with vulnerable children, including children with disabilities

• Can coordinate safely with local systems and referral pathways

Likely applicants include:

• National NGOs

• International NGOs

• Civil society organizations

• Education-focused humanitarian actors

• Child protection and EiE implementing agencies

Scope of Work

Selected partners will support emergency education access, learning continuity, and safer school conditions.

Main activities include:

• Identifying out-of-school children through community outreach and household visits

• Supporting children to return to school or access non-formal education

• Assisting families during the school enrollment process

• Referring identified protection risks to local protection services

• Supporting children with disabilities with guidance on accommodations and access pathways

• Establishing community or temporary non-formal learning spaces

• Ensuring spaces are safe, accessible, and linked to formal schools

• Delivering early literacy, early mathematics, leveling, and remediation activities

• Providing teaching materials, consumables, and monitoring tools

• Training teachers and communities in:

  • School safety

  • Risk management

  • Psychosocial first aid

  • Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS)

• Supporting updates to Integrated School Risk Management Plans

• Conducting rapid WASH actions and minor school repairs

Learning Spaces and School Support Requirements

Temporary or community learning spaces should include:

• Safe access routes

• Minimum WASH standards

• Gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive design

• GBV risk mitigation measures

• Disaster risk reduction considerations

• Connection to formal education institutions

WASH and Minor Rehabilitation Activities

Partners may also support urgent improvements in learning conditions, such as:

• Deep cleaning

• Debris removal

• Classroom disinfection

• Light repair of floors, ceilings, doors, and ventilation

• Improvements to toilets and handwashing stations

• Hygiene supplies for safe school use

These actions are meant to restore safe and dignified educational environments while learning and psychosocial support continue.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should:

1. Confirm presence in at least one priority department

2. Review the EiE and protection-linked requirements carefully

3. Prepare a strong technical approach for emergency education delivery

4. Show experience in non-formal education, learning recovery, and safe spaces

5. Demonstrate capacity in MHPSS, child protection referrals, and school safety

6. Include a realistic budget and field implementation plan

7. Submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the official UNICEF partner process

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Show direct territorial presence

• Demonstrate strong Education in Emergencies experience

• Include clear referral pathways for child protection

• Show capacity to support children with disabilities

• Propose practical, rapid, field-ready interventions

• Link temporary learning spaces to formal education reintegration

• Include realistic WASH and minor repair actions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without presence in priority areas

• Weak EiE or humanitarian education experience

• Ignoring disability inclusion

• No protection referral strategy

• Overly broad plans without operational detail

• Weak integration of learning, psychosocial support, and school safety

FAQs

What is UNICEF seeking in Colombia?

UNICEF is seeking implementing partners to support emergency education responses for children and adolescents affected by conflict, disasters, and displacement.

What is the budget?

The indicative budget is 300,000.

Which areas are prioritized?

The call covers La Guajira, Norte de Santander, Arauca, Córdoba, Nariño, Cauca, Chocó, Guainía, and Vichada.

Who can apply?

Organizations with territorial presence and proven Education in Emergencies experience in at least one of the priority areas can apply.

What types of activities are included?

Activities include school reintegration, non-formal learning spaces, learning recovery, psychosocial support, school safety, WASH actions, and minor school repairs.

Conclusion

This UNICEF Colombia opportunity is a strong fit for organizations working in Education in Emergencies, child protection, learning recovery, and school resilience.

With an indicative budget of 300,000, the call aims to help crisis-affected children safely return to learning and access protective education support in some of Colombia’s most vulnerable territories.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.