The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation has launched a humanitarian funding call to support emergency relief and protection for vulnerable populations affected by the conflict in Sudan since April 2023. With a total of EUR 519,307 available, the initiative targets short-term, four-month projects in North Darfur focusing on life-saving assistance, gender-responsive protection, and access to essential services for internally displaced persons, refugees, and host communities. Eligible non-profits and consortiums must demonstrate operational capacity, experience in humanitarian aid, and compliance with Italian legal requirements.

Italian Cooperation Call: Humanitarian Support in Sudan

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation has initiated a call for proposals to address urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan following the outbreak of conflict on 15 April 2023. The initiative aligns with Italy’s 2024–2026 development cooperation strategy, combining immediate humanitarian relief with measures that strengthen long-term resilience.

Purpose of the Call

• Deliver life-saving assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host communities.

• Provide gender-responsive and protection-focused interventions for vulnerable groups.

• Ensure safe and equitable access to essential services to reduce the long-term impact of the crisis.

• Integrate disaster-risk-reduction measures, particularly for the rainy season, to enhance community resilience.

Funding Details

• Total Budget: EUR 519,307

• Project Duration: Maximum of four months

• Eligible Applicants:

  • Non-profit organisations registered under Article 26, paragraph 3, of Law 125/2014

  • Joint proposals from two or more qualified entities are permitted

  • Must have proven experience in humanitarian aid and operational capacity in crisis-affected areas

  • Must comply with all Italian legal requirements and have no outstanding debts or misconduct records

  • Applicants and partners must not appear on international sanctions lists

Strategic Objectives

1. Humanitarian Assistance

   • Deliver safe, timely, and gender-responsive aid to populations in severe or deteriorating conditions.

   • Reduce mortality and morbidity among high-risk communities.

2. Protection and Inclusion

   • Address protection needs of women, men, girls, and boys, especially those marginalized or at risk.

   • Apply protection principles, conflict sensitivity, and gender and diversity inclusion.

3. Essential Services Access

   • Provide dignified, safe, and equitable access to basic services.

   • Prevent further erosion of communities’ coping capacities.

Target Regions and Beneficiaries

• Geographic Focus: North Darfur, particularly El Fasher–Tawila area and surrounding localities absorbing displaced populations.

• Priority Beneficiaries:

  • IDPs and refugees on the move

  • School-aged children

  • Pregnant women and young mothers with children under five

  • Widowed women and female-headed households

  • Women and minors at risk due to gender-based violence, harmful practices, abandonment, or trafficking

  • Children with disabilities

Eligible Activities

• Emergency food, water, and shelter assistance

• Protection services, including psychosocial support and legal aid

• Health interventions and reproductive care

• Education and child protection programs

• Disaster-risk-reduction measures to address climate-related hazards

Application Requirements

• Demonstrate operational and financial capacity for short-term, high-impact interventions

• Include evidence of past experience in humanitarian aid

• Ensure compliance with Italian legal and donor standards

• Clearly describe the scope of intervention, target population, and expected outcomes

• Include joint applications if partnering with other entities, specifying roles and responsibilities

Tips for Applicants

• Focus on high-impact interventions that address immediate survival needs.

• Ensure projects are gender-responsive and inclusive of vulnerable groups.

• Highlight operational readiness and experience in conflict-affected or disaster-prone areas.

• Prioritize integration of protection measures and community engagement.

• Clearly justify the short-term four-month project timeline and realistic outcomes.

FAQ

1. Who can apply for this call?

Non-profit organisations registered under Italian law, individually or in consortiums, with proven humanitarian experience and no sanctions or outstanding debts.

2. What is the maximum project duration and funding?

Projects may last up to four months, with a total fund of EUR 519,307 available.

3. Where should projects be implemented?

Target areas are North Darfur, especially El Fasher–Tawila and nearby localities hosting displaced populations.

4. Who are the priority beneficiaries?

IDPs, refugees, school-aged children, pregnant women, young mothers, female-headed households, women and minors at risk, and children with disabilities.

5. Are joint proposals allowed?

Yes, two or more organisations may submit joint applications, specifying roles and responsibilities.

6. What types of activities are eligible?

Life-saving assistance, protection services, health and education interventions, and disaster-risk-reduction measures.

7. What compliance requirements must applicants meet?

Applicants must meet Italian legal standards, have no outstanding debts or misconduct records, and not appear on international sanctions lists.

Conclusion

This call provides a critical opportunity for qualified organisations to deliver emergency relief, protection, and essential services to vulnerable communities affected by the Sudan conflict. By combining immediate assistance with strategic resilience measures, applicants can make a tangible impact in North Darfur, addressing both humanitarian needs and longer-term capacity building.