Deadline: 16-Jan-2026
UNICEF is seeking Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Guinea-Bissau to lead Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) interventions for the sixth national long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net (LLIN) distribution campaign. This initiative focuses on malaria prevention, community mobilization, and combating misinformation to ensure the consistent use of mosquito nets among vulnerable populations, specifically children under five and pregnant women.
The National Distribution Campaign of Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets (LLINs) is a critical public health intervention in Guinea-Bissau. Malaria remains a pervasive threat, putting the entire population at risk. Through Social and Behaviour Change (SBC), UNICEF aims to move beyond simple distribution toward long-term behavioral adoption, ensuring that families don’t just receive nets, but use them correctly every night.
Why This Program Matters: The Impact of Malaria
Malaria is both a health crisis and a socioeconomic burden in Guinea-Bissau.
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Vulnerability: Children under five and pregnant women face the highest rates of morbidity and mortality.
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Economic Strain: Frequent illness reduces workforce productivity and depletes family savings due to medical costs.
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Prevention vs. Treatment: Consistent use of LLINs is the most cost-effective method to reduce malaria transmission and alleviate pressure on the national healthcare system.
Key Program Pillars: Social and Behaviour Change (SBC)
This initiative employs sophisticated communication strategies to ensure the campaign’s success:
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Interpersonal Communication (IPC): Direct, face-to-face engagement through home visits and community meetings to build trust.
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Crisis Communication: Identifying and neutralizing rumors or misinformation regarding net safety or distribution processes.
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Narrative Development: Using real-life stories and local testimonials to create culturally relevant and persuasive health messages.
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Evidence-Based Mobilization: Using data to identify hard-to-reach areas and tailoring outreach to those specific demographics.
Who Is Eligible?
UNICEF is seeking partnerships with established Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that possess deep roots in Guinea-Bissau communities.
Eligible Organizations:
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Registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
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Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) with experience in public health.
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Professional media or communication associations.
Core Requirements:
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Proven track record in Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).
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Ability to operate in local languages and culturally diverse contexts.
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Capacity for large-scale community mobilization and narrative documentation.
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Existing presence or operational capacity in vulnerable or hard-to-reach regions of Guinea-Bissau.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Implementation
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Develop a Proposal: Create a strategy covering the three campaign phases: Pre-distribution (awareness), During-distribution (adherence), and Post-distribution (usage monitoring).
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Submit via UN Partner Portal: Applications must be submitted through the official UN Partner Portal (UNPP).
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Draft a Monitoring Plan: Outline how your organization will supervise activities and document real-life stories for campaign visibility.
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Budget Alignment: Ensure all costs relate directly to communication, capacity building, and mobilization efforts.
Expected Results and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Selected partners are expected to achieve measurable outcomes, including:
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Increased Adherence: Higher percentage of families correctly installing and sleeping under nets.
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Leader Engagement: Active participation of traditional and religious leaders in advocacy.
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Media Synergy: Strengthened coordination with local journalists to ensure accurate mass communication.
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Inclusive Communication: Distribution of materials in local languages across all targeted regions.
Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overlooking Local Dialects: Failure to translate materials into regional languages can lead to total project failure in rural areas.
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Neglecting Post-Campaign Monitoring: The most common mistake is stopping communication once the nets are handed out; the “usage” phase is where the real health impact happens.
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Reactive vs. Proactive Communication: Don’t wait for rumors to spread; have a proactive “myth-busting” strategy ready for the start of the campaign.
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Poor Documentation: Failing to capture high-quality audiovisual content or real-life success stories limits the impact of final reporting and future advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the primary goal of the SBC intervention?
The goal is to foster community adherence to malaria prevention practices, specifically the daily use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
2. Who are the priority groups for this campaign?
The campaign prioritizes children under five years of age and pregnant women, as they are most vulnerable to severe malaria.
3. Does the grant cover the purchase of the mosquito nets?
No. This specific call is for Social and Behaviour Change and communication. The procurement and physical distribution of nets are handled by UNICEF and national health partners.
4. What languages should be used for communication?
Materials and interpersonal communication must be delivered in local languages to ensure inclusivity and cultural appropriateness.
5. Can digital communication be part of the proposal?
Yes. The initiative encourages audiovisual and digital communication alongside traditional community mobilization methods.
6. What is “Crisis Communication” in this context?
It involves identifying and addressing rumors or misinformation that could prevent people from accepting or using the mosquito nets provided during the campaign.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Guinea-Bissau Malaria Distribution Campaign is a vital effort to protect the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. By partnering with Civil Society Organizations, the initiative ensures that life-saving mosquito nets are accompanied by the knowledge and motivation needed to use them effectively. For organizations with strong community ties, this is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact public health movement and contribute to the socioeconomic stability of Guinea-Bissau.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.