CFAs: Strengthening Community Partnerships Through UNFPA’s Country Programme (Tajikistan)

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is inviting eligible non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to partner in implementing the UNFPA Country Programme for the Republic of Tajikistan (2027–2030). The programme supports projects in sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, youth empowerment, education, protection, livelihoods, population data, and inclusive development to help achieve sustainable development goals across Tajikistan.

Overview of the UNFPA Tajikistan Country Programme 2027–2030

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is seeking proposals from qualified non-governmental organizations to support the implementation of its Sixth Country Programme for Tajikistan (2027–2030).

The programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027–2030 and aims to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development through investments in human capital, reproductive health, gender equality, youth participation, and evidence-based policymaking.

Selected NGOs will work alongside UNFPA to deliver programmes that improve health services, strengthen institutions, empower women and young people, and ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind.

About the UNFPA Country Programme

The UNFPA Country Programme serves as the organization’s strategic framework for supporting Tajikistan’s national development priorities.

The programme aligns with:

• National Development Strategy 2030
• Mid-term Development Programme 2026–2030
• National sectoral development strategies
• International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action
• UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029
• United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027–2030

Its overall objective is to strengthen reproductive health, gender equality, youth development, and population data systems that contribute to sustainable national development.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Improve sexual and reproductive health services.
• Reduce preventable maternal mortality.
• Increase access to family planning.
• Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Strengthen health systems.
• Improve population data and research.
• Empower adolescents and young people.
• Build institutional capacity.
• Promote inclusive and evidence-based policymaking.
• Support sustainable demographic development.

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports projects across multiple thematic areas.

Cross-Sectoral Development

Priority activities include:

• Communication for Development (C4D)
• Disability inclusion
• Gender equality
• Women’s empowerment
• Engaging men and boys
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Research
• Data analysis
• Capacity building
• Institutional strengthening
• Youth leadership
• Youth participation
• Service delivery platforms

Education

Supported education initiatives include:

• Comprehensive sexuality education
• Life skills development
• Adolescent education programmes
• Youth awareness initiatives

Health

Health-related priorities include:

• Adolescent health
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Reproductive health services
• Maternal health
• Newborn health
• Emergency obstetric care
• HIV/AIDS
• Health systems strengthening
• Family planning
• Quality healthcare services

Livelihoods

Eligible livelihood activities include:

• Community mobilization
• Self-reliance programmes
• Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)

Protection

Protection activities include:

• Gender-based violence prevention
• Violence response services
• Protection support
• Crime prevention
• Community protection initiatives

Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs)

The programme also supports shelter-related non-food item interventions where relevant.

Social Policy and Advocacy

Priority areas include:

• Policy advocacy
• Social policy development
• South-South cooperation
• Evidence-based policy support

Development Challenges Addressed

The programme responds to several national development challenges, including:

• Unmet need for family planning.
• Preventable maternal deaths.
• Gender inequality.
• Gender-based violence.
• Harmful social practices.
• Unequal access to healthcare.
• Regional disparities in service delivery.
• Weak population data systems.
• Limited evidence-based policymaking.
• Barriers affecting women, girls, youth, and vulnerable groups.

Target Beneficiaries

The programme particularly focuses on:

• Women and girls.
• Adolescents.
• Young people.
• Persons with disabilities.
• Rural communities.
• Remote populations.
• Migrants.
• Vulnerable households.
• Marginalized communities.

The programme follows a “Leaving No One Behind” approach to ensure equitable access to services and opportunities.

Programme Approach

UNFPA will implement the programme using several guiding principles, including:

• Human rights-based programming.
• Gender-transformative approaches.
• Inclusive development.
• Systems strengthening.
• Sustainable financing.
• Institutional capacity development.
• Long-term policy reform.

These approaches are intended to create lasting improvements beyond individual project activities.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Civil society organizations capable of implementing development programmes in Tajikistan

Organizations should demonstrate experience in one or more programme priority areas.

Expected Organisational Capacity

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• Public health programmes.
• Reproductive health.
• Gender equality.
• Youth development.
• Community engagement.
• Capacity building.
• Policy advocacy.
• Monitoring and evaluation.
• Research and data analysis.
• Programme management.

Strong partnerships with government institutions and local communities will be an advantage.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This partnership enables NGOs to contribute directly to Tajikistan’s long-term development priorities.

The programme will help:

• Improve maternal and reproductive health.
• Strengthen healthcare systems.
• Advance gender equality.
• Empower young people.
• Improve access to family planning.
• Build stronger institutions.
• Enhance evidence-based decision-making.
• Promote inclusive and sustainable development.

The initiative also supports Tajikistan in harnessing its demographic dividend by investing in its growing youth population.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations should follow these steps.

Step 1: Review the Invitation for Proposals

Carefully review the programme priorities, eligibility criteria, and partnership requirements.

Step 2: Identify Relevant Programme Areas

Select the thematic areas that align with your organization’s expertise and experience.

Step 3: Develop a Project Proposal

Prepare a proposal describing:

• Project objectives.
• Target beneficiaries.
• Implementation methodology.
• Expected results.
• Monitoring framework.
• Sustainability strategy.

Step 4: Demonstrate Organisational Capacity

Provide evidence of:

• Previous programme experience.
• Technical expertise.
• Financial management.
• Staff qualifications.
• Partnerships.
• Organisational governance.

Step 5: Submit the Proposal

Submit the complete application according to the instructions provided by the UNFPA Country Office within the specified submission period.

Selection Process

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

• Alignment with programme priorities.
• Technical quality.
• Organisational experience.
• Implementation capacity.
• Sustainability.
• Monitoring and evaluation approach.
• Expected development impact.

Successful organizations may be invited to establish prospective partnerships with UNFPA during the 2027–2030 programme period.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

• Clearly aligning activities with UNFPA priorities.
• Demonstrating measurable impact.
• Including gender-responsive approaches.
• Showing strong community engagement.
• Presenting realistic implementation plans.
• Highlighting experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Including effective monitoring and evaluation systems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Submitting proposals unrelated to programme priorities.
• Providing vague implementation plans.
• Omitting measurable indicators.
• Failing to identify target beneficiaries.
• Ignoring gender and inclusion considerations.
• Providing insufficient organisational information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the UNFPA Tajikistan Invitation for Proposals?

Eligible non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations with relevant experience in programme priority areas may apply for partnership opportunities.

What is the purpose of the UNFPA Country Programme 2027–2030?

The programme aims to improve reproductive health, promote gender equality, strengthen population data systems, empower young people, and support inclusive sustainable development across Tajikistan.

Which thematic areas are supported?

The programme supports projects in reproductive health, maternal health, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, education, gender equality, youth leadership, livelihoods, protection, policy advocacy, research, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building.

Who are the primary beneficiaries of the programme?

The programme prioritizes women and girls, adolescents, young people, persons with disabilities, migrants, rural communities, and other vulnerable populations.

What development challenges does the programme address?

It addresses unmet family planning needs, maternal mortality, gender-based violence, harmful social norms, unequal access to healthcare, fragmented population data systems, and barriers affecting vulnerable populations.

How will proposals be evaluated?

Proposals will be assessed based on their alignment with programme objectives, technical quality, organizational capacity, sustainability, expected impact, and ability to contribute to the results of the UNFPA Country Programme.

Why is this partnership important for NGOs?

The partnership enables NGOs to contribute to national development priorities, strengthen public services, empower communities, and support sustainable improvements in health, gender equality, and youth development in Tajikistan.

Conclusion

The UNFPA Tajikistan Invitation for Proposals 2027–2030 offers an important opportunity for experienced NGOs to partner with the United Nations in advancing reproductive health, gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive development. By supporting integrated policy reforms, strengthening institutions, improving access to quality services, and promoting evidence-based decision-making, the programme aims to create lasting social impact and help Tajikistan achieve its long-term sustainable development goals.