Deadline: 25-Jun-25
A new call for proposals has been launched to support child protection and justice system reforms in North Macedonia. This initiative seeks to strengthen the national systems for social and child welfare, with a focus on improving care services and advancing reforms in the justice system for children.
The effort builds on earlier work to identify vulnerable groups of children and understand the barriers they face in accessing quality protection and care. With those findings in mind, the program aims to partner with civil society organizations (CSOs) to implement solutions that enhance both institutional capacity and legal protections for children.
The first component of the program focuses on children in the care system. This includes revising and developing by-laws to define the operational, spatial, and technical requirements for institutions supporting children without parental care, mother-child departments, foster care support centers, and halfway houses. The revision also includes standardizing documentation templates and designing clear staffing structures and budget plans. Additionally, a structured working program for halfway houses will be created to help children transition to independent living. This program is expected to cover mentorship, housing support, psychosocial services, life skills training, and employment readiness.
The second component addresses justice for children. It involves integrating specialized training modules into the official curricula of the Police Training Centre and the Academy for Judges and Prosecutors. These modules will reflect updates in the legislative framework, including trauma-informed approaches, and will be delivered to at least 150 police officers.
A national assessment will also be conducted to evaluate how accessible and effective free legal aid is for children in conflict with the law. Based on this assessment, policy recommendations will be developed to improve diversion programs and promote community-based rehabilitation as an alternative to detention. The initiative sets a target of increasing the use of such alternatives by 30 percent.
A key part of the justice component will also involve the development of by-laws and operational guidelines for centers that provide services for children under the justice system. All activities must prioritize a child-centered and participatory approach, ensuring that children’s voices and well-being are central to every decision. The selected CSO will be expected to work closely with national institutions throughout the six-month project period.
Proposals will be evaluated based on their relevance, clarity, innovation, and sustainability. Applicants should have a strong track record in child protection and legal reform, especially in organizing trainings and working at the community level. Experience with UN or UNICEF-supported projects is considered an asset. Cost effectiveness, budget transparency, and the ability to contribute resources will also play a role in the selection process.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.