Deadline: 31-Jul-25
The UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF) has opened its Cycle 9.2 Special Window Call for Proposals to support short-term, high-impact projects that provide direct assistance to victims of human trafficking in Africa.
This funding opportunity is designed to support front-line civil society organizations, particularly those working in underserved or high-risk communities, to deliver immediate, life-saving aid and reintegration support to survivors.
The initiative focuses on four primary areas: emergency humanitarian assistance, legal aid and access to justice, medical and psychosocial support, and reintegration through vocational training or micro-enterprise development.
The fund offers grants of up to USD 20,000, with disbursements provided in two stages: an initial 70 percent upon the signing of the grant agreement, and the remaining 30 percent after approval of the mid-term progress report. The implementation period for these projects ranges from six to nine months, beginning no earlier than 1 October 2025 and concluding no later than 30 June 2026.
The call is exclusively open to civil society organizations legally registered in an African country, with an operational track record of at least 12 months in anti-trafficking work or closely related services. Applicant organizations must also be able to demonstrate sound financial management, including submission of audited financial statements, and must register on the UN Partner Portal before applying.
Eligible applicants can include non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, survivor-led groups, and faith-based entities, provided they operate on a non-profit basis. Preference will be given to organizations that are survivor- or youth-led, those headed by women, and those that serve marginalized populations.
Proposed projects should clearly define their goals and activities and must be grounded in a survivor-centred, rights-based approach. The fund strongly encourages proposals that are realistic, time-bound, and focused on direct impact. Projects that include activities like trauma counselling, safe shelter, life skills workshops, legal representation, safe transportation, and small-scale vocational support are encouraged, while infrastructure development, equipment purchases, and long-term construction are considered ineligible expenses.
Each application must include a fully completed project proposal, budget, and partner declaration, along with supporting documents such as proof of registration, financial audits, staff CVs, and proof of UN Partner Portal registration. All documents must be submitted in one email with the subject line “Application for UNVTF Small Grants Programme 2025” by 31 July 2025 at 23:59 CEST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. An online information session will be held on 15 July 2025 for potential applicants, and all clarification questions must be submitted no later than 8 July 2025.
Proposals will be evaluated using a 100-point scale across five criteria: relevance and alignment to the fund’s priorities, methodology and feasibility, potential impact and sustainability, organizational capacity, and budget transparency.
Only proposals scoring at least 70 points will be considered for funding. Selected grantees must comply with UNODC reporting and monitoring standards, which include submission of a mid-term narrative and financial report, a final report, safeguarding disclosures, and—if applicable—an external audit. Grantees must also adopt safeguarding protocols and commit to ethical conduct throughout project delivery.
This grant cycle reflects the UNVTF’s broader commitment to empowering grassroots organizations and survivor-led efforts to combat human trafficking through focused, targeted interventions. With more than USD 11 million distributed globally since its inception, the UNVTF continues to serve as a vital funding mechanism for those responding directly to trafficking survivors’ needs on the ground.
Organizations that apply should ensure their projects are data-informed, include meaningful beneficiary involvement, and outline clear sustainability pathways beyond the grant period—such as government integration, fee-for-service models, or partnerships with larger NGOs. In this way, the Cycle 9.2 Special Window not only delivers short-term relief but also helps lay the foundation for long-term change in the fight against trafficking.
This opportunity provides a critical platform for African NGOs to amplify their impact and secure resources to support the most vulnerable. Interested applicants should act quickly, as the deadline for submission is fast approaching. Proposals that combine credibility, community roots, and a strategic vision for survivors’ recovery will be best positioned to receive support.
For more information, visit UNODC.
How to Successfully Apply for the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking – 2025
Related Sample Proposals:
- A Sample Grant Proposal on “Restoring Dignity: Emergency Shelter and Psychosocial First Aid for Trafficking Survivors in Northern Nigeria”
- A Sample Grant Proposal on “Justice for Survivors: Mobile Legal Aid Clinics and Court Support for Victims of Human Trafficking in East Africa”
- A Sample Grant Proposal on “Healing and Hope: A Short-Term Reintegration Program for Women and Girls Escaping Trafficking in Sierra Leone”
- A Sample Grant Proposal on “From Recovery to Resilience: Survivor-Led Peer Support and Empowerment Circles in Urban Kenya”
- A Sample Grant Proposal on “Safe Return, New Start: Cross-Border Assistance and Family Reunification for Trafficked Children in the Sahel”