Deadline: 24-Jun-2026
The European Commission-funded programme “Combating Human Trafficking and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Guinea-Bissau” strengthens rule of law, human rights protection, and institutional capacity to prevent and respond to trafficking and gender-based violence. With a total budget of EUR 3,000,000, the initiative focuses on survivor-centred justice services, security sector reform, and improved access to justice for vulnerable populations.
Programme Overview
This action supports governance reforms and institutional strengthening in Guinea-Bissau to address human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and related organised crime challenges.
It promotes coordinated efforts between security institutions, justice systems, civil society, and media to improve protection systems and accountability mechanisms.
Key Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen rule of law and human rights protection systems
- Improve institutional responses to human trafficking and SGBV
- Enhance effectiveness and accountability of police services
- Improve equitable access to justice services
- Strengthen survivor-centred protection and support systems
- Promote governance reforms in security and justice institutions
- Improve cooperation between police and communities
- Support prevention of organised crime and corruption
Funding Overview
- Total budget: EUR 3,000,000
- Funding source: European Commission
- Geographic focus: Guinea-Bissau
- Strategic alignment:
- DAC classifications:
- DAC 151: Governance and human rights
- DAC 152: Conflict, peace, security, and anti-trafficking
Key Focus Areas
The action targets:
- Human trafficking prevention and response
- Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention
- Justice system strengthening and reform
- Security sector modernisation and accountability
- Survivor-centred protection services
- Police-community trust building
- Institutional transparency and governance improvement
- Access to justice for women, girls, and vulnerable groups
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to achieve:
- Improved capacity of government institutions, CSOs, and media
- Stronger policy development on security sector reform
- Enhanced internal governance of security institutions
- Better coordination between police and communities
- Strengthened justice institutions and service delivery
- Increased access to inclusive justice mechanisms
- Expanded survivor-centred services for trafficking and SGBV victims
- Improved prevention and response systems for organised crime
Institutional Strengthening Components
Security Sector Reform
- Improving accountability within police services
- Strengthening internal governance structures
- Enhancing transparency and professionalism
- Supporting crime prevention strategies
Police–Community Cooperation
- Building trust between law enforcement and citizens
- Improving responsiveness to community needs
- Supporting joint prevention and response efforts
- Enhancing reporting and protection mechanisms
Justice System Strengthening
- Enhancing operational capacity of justice institutions
- Improving efficiency and fairness of legal processes
- Expanding access to justice for vulnerable groups
- Supporting decentralised justice services outside Bissau
Survivor-Centred Protection Services
A key priority is ensuring victims of trafficking and SGBV receive:
- Safe and accessible reporting mechanisms
- Legal aid and justice support
- Medical and psychosocial assistance
- Protection services tailored to vulnerability
- Referral systems across institutions and regions
The programme emphasises dignity, safety, and rights-based support.
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is critical because it:
- Strengthens rule of law in a fragile governance context
- Improves protection for victims of trafficking and gender-based violence
- Enhances accountability in security and justice systems
- Builds trust between citizens and law enforcement
- Expands access to justice in underserved areas
- Supports gender equality and human rights protection
- Addresses organised crime and systemic corruption risks
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applications or concept designs may be weaker if they:
- Do not incorporate survivor-centred approaches
- Lack clear institutional reform strategies
- Fail to address both justice and security components
- Ignore rural or non-capital access challenges
- Provide weak coordination mechanisms between actors
- Do not demonstrate human rights compliance frameworks
- Lack measurable outcomes or governance indicators
Tips for Strong Programme Design
- Integrate justice, security, and community components
- Prioritise survivor protection and trauma-informed services
- Include strong capacity-building for institutions
- Design clear police-community engagement strategies
- Ensure accessibility for rural and vulnerable populations
- Align activities with SDG 5 and SDG 16 targets
- Provide measurable indicators for accountability and impact
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of this programme?
To strengthen rule of law and improve responses to human trafficking and gender-based violence in Guinea-Bissau.
What is the total funding available?
EUR 3,000,000.
Who benefits from the programme?
Women, girls, vulnerable populations, and victims of trafficking and SGBV.
Which institutions are involved?
Police services, justice institutions, civil society organisations, and media.
What are the main focus areas?
Trafficking prevention, SGBV response, justice reform, and security sector strengthening.
Does the programme support survivor services?
Yes, it supports comprehensive survivor-centred protection and assistance services.
What SDGs does it align with?
SDG 16, SDG 5, SDG 10, and SDG 17.
Conclusion
The EU-funded action in Guinea-Bissau is a comprehensive governance, justice, and human rights initiative aimed at combating human trafficking and gender-based violence. By strengthening institutions, improving survivor-centred services, and enhancing police-community cooperation, the programme builds a more accountable, inclusive, and rights-based justice system.
For more information, visit EC.
