Call for EOIs: Adolescent and Youth Engagement Initiatives (India)

UNICEF is seeking partners to strengthen youth leadership and participation initiatives in Gujarat, India, focusing on adolescent health, nutrition, climate action, child rights advocacy, and community engagement. The programme supports youth-led activities that improve healthy lifestyles, environmental awareness, and meaningful participation in decision-making.

Overview of the UNICEF Youth Participation Initiative in Gujarat

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting applications from eligible partners to support youth engagement and leadership initiatives in Gujarat, India.

The initiative aims to strengthen adolescent and young people’s participation in areas connected to:

• Child and adolescent health.
• Nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
• Climate action.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Child rights advocacy.
• Youth-led community engagement.

Through partnerships with qualified organisations, UNICEF seeks to create platforms where young people can contribute to improving health outcomes, promoting sustainable practices, and advocating for children’s rights.

Purpose of the Programme

The main objective of the initiative is to empower adolescents and young people to become active participants in addressing challenges affecting children and communities.

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen youth leadership skills.
• Improve awareness of health and nutrition issues.
• Encourage youth-led advocacy.
• Promote climate-conscious behaviours.
• Support meaningful child and adolescent participation.
• Build partnerships between youth networks, government institutions, and civil society organisations.

Focus Areas of the Initiative

The programme focuses on several interconnected areas:

• Youth leadership and participation.
• Adolescent and child health.
• Healthy diets and nutrition.
• Prevention of childhood non-communicable diseases.
• Climate action and sustainability.
• Child rights awareness.
• Community-based advocacy.

Strengthening Youth Engagement in Health Services

Selected partners will support activities that improve youth participation in health-related initiatives.

Key activities include:

• Increasing demand for quality adolescent health services.
• Supporting youth engagement platforms.
• Building partnerships with healthcare stakeholders.
• Promoting awareness about healthy lifestyles.
• Supporting prevention of paediatric non-communicable diseases.

The initiative will encourage collaboration among:

• Government departments.
• Development partners.
• Healthcare institutions.
• Professional associations.
• Community organisations.

Partnership Development and Knowledge Sharing

The programme will support stronger coordination and documentation of successful approaches.

Activities may include:

• Stakeholder consultation meetings.
• Partnership-building activities.
• Documentation of best practices.
• Development of knowledge products.
• Sharing innovations and programme achievements.

These resources will help improve future youth engagement and child health programmes.

Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition Among Adolescents

The programme will promote healthier lifestyles among adolescents through school-based engagement activities in Ahmedabad district.

Activities will focus on:

• Encouraging healthy eating habits.
• Promoting physical activity.
• Preventing childhood overweight and obesity.
• Raising awareness about nutrition.
• Supporting behaviour change initiatives.
• Developing educational resources.

Schools will serve as important platforms for reaching adolescents and promoting long-term healthy behaviours.

Youth Leadership for Climate Action

The initiative will encourage young people to participate in climate action and environmental sustainability efforts.

Planned activities include:

• Organising a State Youth Conclave on Climate Action.
• Establishing the Gujarat Climate Champions Platform.
• Conducting climate awareness campaigns.
• Promoting sustainable behaviours.
• Supporting youth consultations with policymakers.
• Providing climate leadership training.

The programme aims to help young people become environmental advocates and contribute to climate solutions.

Supporting Child Rights Advocacy

The initiative will strengthen youth involvement in promoting child rights.

Activities will include:

• Supporting World Children’s Day celebrations.
• Engaging children and young people in advocacy.
• Collaborating with schools and civil society organisations.
• Working with government departments and youth networks.
• Promoting meaningful participation of children in decision-making.

The programme recognises young people as important partners in creating inclusive communities.

Eligible Partners

UNICEF is seeking applications from organisations that can support youth engagement and child-focused initiatives.

Eligible partners should have experience in areas such as:

• Youth development.
• Child rights.
• Health and nutrition.
• Climate action.
• Community mobilisation.
• Advocacy and communication.
• Programme implementation.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to coordinate with government bodies, communities, and young people.

Expected Outcomes

The programme is expected to contribute to:

• Increased youth participation in community initiatives.
• Improved awareness of health and nutrition.
• Stronger youth-led advocacy platforms.
• Greater climate awareness among young people.
• Improved collaboration between stakeholders.
• Increased understanding of child rights.

Implementation Approach

Selected partners will support programme delivery through:

• Youth engagement activities.
• Community consultations.
• Awareness campaigns.
• Training and capacity-building sessions.
• Partnership coordination.
• Documentation and reporting.

The initiative will use youth-centred approaches to ensure young people are actively involved in designing and implementing activities.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants can strengthen proposals by:

• Demonstrating experience working with adolescents and youth.
• Presenting clear community engagement strategies.
• Explaining partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
• Including measurable outcomes.
• Highlighting innovative approaches.
• Showing experience in health, nutrition, climate, or child rights programmes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting proposals without clear youth engagement plans.
• Failing to explain expected outcomes.
• Ignoring local community needs.
• Providing unclear implementation strategies.
• Not demonstrating organisational capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UNICEF Gujarat Youth Participation Initiative?

The UNICEF Gujarat Youth Participation Initiative supports youth leadership, child health, nutrition, climate action, and child rights advocacy through partnerships with eligible organisations.

Who can apply for this UNICEF opportunity?

Eligible organisations with experience in youth engagement, health, nutrition, climate action, child rights, and community programmes can apply.

What are the main focus areas of the programme?

The programme focuses on youth leadership, adolescent health, healthy nutrition, climate action, environmental sustainability, and child rights advocacy.

How will the programme support adolescent health?

The programme will promote awareness, improve demand for quality health services, and strengthen partnerships supporting adolescent wellbeing.

What activities will support climate action?

Activities include youth climate leadership programmes, climate campaigns, consultations with policymakers, and development of youth climate platforms.

How will nutrition awareness be promoted among adolescents?

The programme will conduct school-based activities promoting healthy diets, physical activity, and prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.

Why is youth participation important in this programme?

Youth participation helps young people contribute ideas, advocate for their rights, and become leaders in addressing community challenges.

What organisations can participate as partners?

Organisations with relevant experience in youth development, child rights, health, nutrition, climate action, or community engagement can participate.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Youth Leadership and Participation Initiative in Gujarat provides an opportunity for organisations to support young people as leaders in health, nutrition, climate action, and child rights advocacy. By strengthening youth engagement platforms and community partnerships, the programme aims to create healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive communities across Gujarat.