Deadline: 09-Aug-2026
UNICEF is inviting grant applications to develop evidence-based resources that protect children under six from explosive weapon risks. The initiative provides an indicative budget of USD 50,000 to support the development of age-appropriate Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP), and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) guidance, tools, and educational materials.
About the Grant
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking grant applications to strengthen child protection by developing developmentally appropriate resources that help protect children under the age of six from explosive weapon risks.
The initiative addresses a significant gap in current Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) programmes, as young children are often excluded from existing risk education efforts despite facing serious dangers in conflict-affected and explosive ordnance-contaminated environments.
Through this initiative, UNICEF aims to create evidence-based guidance, educational tools, and practical resources that can be used by caregivers, teachers, humanitarian practitioners, and child protection professionals.
Grant Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Develop age-appropriate Explosive Weapon Risk Education (EWRE) resources for children under six.
- Strengthen child protection in conflict and emergency settings.
- Establish an evidence base on injury prevention and explosive weapon risk factors.
- Promote research-informed approaches to protecting young children.
- Engage stakeholders in developing practical and culturally appropriate guidance.
- Improve protection outcomes through evidence-based educational materials.
Priority Focus Areas
The grant supports activities related to:
- Child protection.
- Explosive Weapon Risk Education (EWRE).
- Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE).
- Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP).
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
- Protection in emergencies.
- Violence prevention.
- Injury prevention.
- Protection advice and support.
- Humanitarian child protection.
Funding Information
- Indicative Grant Budget: USD 50,000
The funding supports activities related to research, stakeholder engagement, resource development, validation, and production of evidence-based guidance and educational materials.
Expected Activities
Supported projects may include:
- Conducting research on explosive weapon risks affecting young children.
- Identifying evidence-based injury prevention practices.
- Consulting with caregivers, educators, humanitarian practitioners, and affected communities.
- Developing age-appropriate educational messages.
- Creating practical guidance for caregivers and teachers.
- Designing child-friendly learning tools and communication materials.
- Validating educational resources through stakeholder engagement.
- Producing recommendations for integrating EWRE into existing child protection programmes.
Expected Results
The initiative is expected to deliver:
- Evidence-based EWRE guidance for children under six.
- Practical tools for caregivers, teachers, and child protection practitioners.
- Developmentally appropriate educational messages.
- A stakeholder-informed framework for protecting young children from explosive weapon risks.
- Increased evidence on effective injury prevention strategies.
- Improved integration of EWRE into EORE, CPP, and DRR programmes.
Who Can Benefit?
The resources developed through this initiative are intended to support:
- Children under six years of age.
- Parents and caregivers.
- Early childhood educators.
- Humanitarian organisations.
- Child protection practitioners.
- Community-based organisations.
- Emergency response professionals.
- Government agencies working in child protection.
- Organisations implementing EORE, CPP, and DRR programmes.
Why This Initiative Matters
Young children are among the most vulnerable populations in areas affected by conflict and explosive ordnance. Traditional Explosive Ordnance Risk Education programmes often target older children and adults, leaving younger children without appropriate protection resources.
By developing evidence-based and age-appropriate educational tools, this initiative will help reduce injuries, improve caregiver awareness, strengthen early childhood protection, and support safer environments for children living in conflict-affected communities.
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Review the complete grant requirements and eligibility criteria.
- Develop a project proposal focused on protecting children under six from explosive weapon risks.
- Demonstrate expertise in child protection, early childhood development, or humanitarian programming.
- Describe the research methodology and stakeholder engagement approach.
- Explain how the proposed resources will be evidence-based and developmentally appropriate.
- Prepare a realistic budget within the available funding.
- Submit the complete application before the official deadline.
Application Tips
- Focus on the specific needs of children under six.
- Use evidence-based child development approaches.
- Include meaningful engagement with caregivers and affected communities.
- Demonstrate expertise in humanitarian child protection or early childhood education.
- Ensure proposed resources are practical, culturally appropriate, and easy to implement.
- Clearly explain how the project will improve existing EWRE and EORE programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this UNICEF grant?
The grant supports the development of evidence-based resources that help protect children under six from explosive weapon risks through age-appropriate education and guidance.
How much funding is available?
The initiative has an indicative budget of USD 50,000.
What are the main focus areas?
The initiative focuses on child protection, Explosive Weapon Risk Education (EWRE), Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and protection in emergencies.
Who will use the resources developed?
The resources are intended for caregivers, teachers, humanitarian practitioners, child protection professionals, and organisations supporting young children in conflict-affected settings.
Why are children under six the focus of this initiative?
Children under six are often excluded from existing explosive ordnance risk education programmes despite facing significant risks in conflict-affected environments. The initiative addresses this critical protection gap.
What types of outputs are expected?
Expected outputs include validated guidance, educational tools, practical messages, stakeholder-informed frameworks, and recommendations for protecting young children from explosive weapon risks.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s initiative represents an important investment in strengthening child protection for one of the most vulnerable groups affected by conflict. By supporting the development of evidence-based Explosive Weapon Risk Education resources for children under six, the grant will enhance caregiver awareness, improve humanitarian programming, and help create safer environments for young children exposed to explosive weapon risks.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.