ReSSARC Emergency Initiative to Strengthen Health and Food Security

Deadline: 05-May-2026

The ReSSARC Emergency Initiative supports projects in the Central African Republic (CAR) that improve health services, nutrition, and food security for vulnerable populations. Under this call, eligible non-profit organizations can request up to €800,000 individually or up to €1,000,000 through joint proposals, with projects lasting a maximum of 12 months.

About the Initiative

The ReSSARC Emergency Initiative aims to improve living conditions in the Central African Republic (CAR) through integrated humanitarian and development actions.

The programme focuses on:

• Strengthening the health sector

• Improving nutrition and food security

• Expanding basic service delivery

• Supporting vulnerable populations

• Building resilience in fragile communities

It is backed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and aligns with both national and international humanitarian priorities.

Why This Initiative Matters

The Central African Republic continues to face a severe humanitarian and development crisis.

Key challenges include:

• Extreme poverty

• Weak institutions

• Limited access to public services

• Declining international aid

• Rising food and fuel prices

• Slow economic growth

• High dependence on imports

• Repeated climate, health, and economic shocks

Because of these pressures, many households face worsening food insecurity, reduced purchasing power, and limited access to healthcare.

Priority Areas of the Programme

Projects should support integrated responses in the following areas:

• Health system strengthening

• Nutrition support

• Food security improvement

• Basic services delivery

• Gender equality

• Protection from gender-based violence (GBV)

• Protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH)

• Civil society participation in humanitarian and development action

Strategic Alignment

The initiative is aligned with:

• Italian Cooperation priorities in CAR

• RCPCA 2017–2023 (National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan)

• PND 2024–2028 (National Development Plan)

• European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid

• Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies

• OECD recommendations on PSEAH

This means proposals should combine humanitarian response, service delivery, and longer-term resilience building.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations.

Funding Structure

• Single non-profit proposal: up to €800,000

• Joint proposal (2+ non-profits): up to €1,000,000

Project Duration

• Maximum duration: 12 months

Key Conditions

Projects must:

• Address urgent needs in health, nutrition, or food security

• Support vulnerable communities in the Central African Republic

• Fit within the programme’s humanitarian and development priorities

• Obtain approval or acceptance from:

  • Relevant local authorities, communities, or ministries
    or

  • The competent Italian diplomatic representation if local certification is not possible due to security or political conditions

How to Apply

To submit a strong proposal:

1. Confirm eligibility
   Ensure the applicant is a qualified non-profit organization.

2. Choose proposal type
   Decide whether to apply:

   • Alone (up to €800,000)

   • In partnership with other non-profits (up to €1,000,000)

3. Design a 12-month project
   The project must not exceed 12 months.

4. Align with priority sectors
   Focus clearly on:

   • Health

   • Nutrition

   • Food security

   • Protection and resilience

5. Secure required validation
   Obtain approval/acceptance from local authorities or, where necessary, the relevant Italian diplomatic office.

6. Use official templates and annexes
   Follow the call instructions exactly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applications may be rejected during administrative review for:

• Missing the submission deadline

• Not using official templates

• Missing required annexes

• Missing signatures or declarations

• Failing eligibility requirements

• Weak alignment with programme priorities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ReSSARC Emergency Initiative?

It is a funding initiative supporting projects in the Central African Republic that improve health, nutrition, food security, and essential services for vulnerable populations.

2. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations. Joint proposals from two or more non-profits are also allowed.

3. How much funding is available?

• Up to €800,000 for a single non-profit application

• Up to €1,000,000 for a joint proposal

4. What is the maximum project duration?

Projects can last for a maximum of 12 months.

5. What sectors are prioritized?

The main sectors are:

• Health

• Nutrition

• Food security

• Basic services

• Gender protection and GBV prevention

6. Is local approval required?

Yes. Proposals need approval or acceptance from relevant local authorities, communities, or ministries, or from the competent Italian diplomatic representation if local certification is not possible.

Conclusion

The ReSSARC Emergency Initiative is a major opportunity for non-profits working in the Central African Republic to deliver urgent, integrated support in health, nutrition, and food security.

Organizations that can submit a compliant, well-structured 12-month proposal aligned with humanitarian principles and national priorities may access up to €1 million in funding through partnership-based applications.

For more information, visit Italian Agency for Cooperation in Development.