Deadline: 11-Jul-25
The International Council of Voluntary Agencies is inviting applications for the PSEA Outreach Fund, a rapid funding mechanism designed to support local and national NGOs in developing and disseminating materials on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). These resources are intended for use in humanitarian settings and will be made accessible to the broader humanitarian community through the IASC PSEA database.
The purpose of the 2025 funding call is to strengthen the capacity of local actors to prevent Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by aid workers or individuals associated with humanitarian organizations. The fund focuses on outreach and communication efforts aimed at raising awareness in at-risk communities and promoting safe, respectful, and accountable engagement.
Applicants can request up to USD 20,000 in funding, with project durations ranging between 4 to 6 months. Proposals exceeding this funding limit will not be considered.
The fund will support a range of activities that advance SEA prevention and response. These include the development or adaptation of print, digital, audio, or video materials that explain SEA concepts in local languages and culturally appropriate formats. These materials should cover the rights of communities, obligations of aid actors, prevention strategies, and existing complaint and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) and referral pathways.
Organizations are also encouraged to design community engagement initiatives such as mass events, radio broadcasts, theatre performances, or focus group discussions to promote behavior change and raise awareness. Capacity-building sessions with community leaders, aid workers, service providers, and volunteers are eligible as well, with the aim of reinforcing knowledge and improving reporting and support systems.
Other supported activities include developing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, mapping services for SEA survivors, conducting PSEA risk assessments, establishing local protection committees, or strengthening community complaint mechanisms and safeguarding protocols.
Applicants should engage actively with in-country PSEA networks and humanitarian coordination systems to ensure broad dissemination of materials and integration of good practices across the sector.
The geographic focus includes humanitarian and displacement settings in countries such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, Myanmar, and others. A full list of eligible countries is provided in the fund guidelines.
To be eligible, applicants must be registered national or local NGOs, CSOs, or NGO forums/networks in one of the eligible countries. They must be able to receive and report on international funds and have active PSEA or safeguarding policies in place. Organizations should also be able to demonstrate relevant experience in community-level protection and outreach work.
Due to high interest and limited funding, the selection process is highly competitive, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Organizations meeting all the criteria are encouraged to apply promptly and ensure their applications are fully completed and well-documented.
For more information, visit ICVA.
