Call for EOIs: Protection and Solutions for Forcibly Displaced and Stateless People (Estonia)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to identify partners that will support the protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons in Estonia. The initiative focuses on strengthening asylum systems, legal assistance, socio-economic inclusion, child protection, healthcare, voluntary return counselling, and public awareness while promoting long-term integration and protection.

UNHCR Call for Expressions of Interest: Protection and Inclusion of Refugees and Stateless Persons in Estonia

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting qualified organizations to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to become implementing partners for programmes supporting forcibly displaced and stateless people in Estonia.

The partnership aims to improve access to protection, strengthen asylum procedures, promote durable solutions, and expand opportunities for refugees and stateless persons to safely integrate into Estonian society.

Program Overview

UNHCR is seeking partners that can contribute to strengthening Estonia’s refugee protection system while promoting long-term inclusion and durable solutions.

The programme supports activities that:

Improve access to asylum procedures.
Strengthen legal assistance services.
Enhance reception conditions.
Promote socio-economic inclusion.
Support child protection.
Prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
Improve healthcare and social service access.
Protect stateless persons.
Promote voluntary return counselling.
Strengthen public awareness and accurate media reporting.

Organizations may apply for one or more programme outputs based on their expertise and operational capacity.

Background

Estonia currently hosts approximately 37,000 refugees, the majority of whom are from Ukraine, alongside refugees from:

Russia.
Belarus.
Afghanistan.
Syria.
Iraq.
Other countries.

Most Ukrainian refugees are women and children, while refugees from other countries often experience greater protection risks and vulnerabilities.

In addition, Estonia has more than 62,000 stateless persons with undetermined citizenship, many of whom have lived in the country for many years.

Although Estonia has well-established asylum procedures and international protection systems, several challenges remain, including:

Access to timely legal assistance.
Protection-sensitive asylum procedures.
Reception conditions.
Statelessness documentation.
Housing and employment barriers.
Mental health needs.
Public awareness and understanding of refugee issues.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

Strengthen access to asylum procedures.
Improve legal assistance for asylum seekers.
Enhance reception conditions.
Promote protection-sensitive legislation.
Protect stateless persons.
Support access to nationality and legal documentation.
Improve socio-economic inclusion.
Strengthen healthcare and social services.
Promote child protection.
Expand mental health support.
Encourage voluntary return counselling.
Improve public understanding of refugee rights.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following areas:

Durable solutions.
Integration.
Reintegration.
Voluntary return.
Voluntary repatriation.
Protection.
Access to asylum.
Child protection.
Detention and freedom of movement.
Family reunification.
Gender-based violence (GBV).
Legal assistance.
Access to justice.
Protection counselling.
Socio-economic inclusion.
Reception conditions.
Statelessness.
Healthcare.
Social services.
Media engagement.
Public awareness.

Target Beneficiaries

The programme supports:

Refugees.
Asylum seekers.
Stateless persons.
People with undetermined citizenship.
Women.
Children.
Survivors of gender-based violence.
Vulnerable households.
Host communities benefiting from inclusive programmes.

The initiative also supports institutions working to strengthen refugee protection systems.

Key Activities

Selected partners may implement activities such as:

Legal counselling.
Asylum case support.
Reception assistance.
Protection case management.
Child protection services.
Gender-based violence prevention and response.
Mental health and psychosocial support.
Healthcare referrals.
Language support.
Housing assistance.
Employment and livelihood programmes.
Social inclusion initiatives.
Family reunification assistance.
Statelessness documentation support.
Public awareness campaigns.
Media engagement.
Voluntary return counselling.

Strengthening Asylum and Legal Protection

The programme seeks to improve refugee protection by supporting:

Fair and efficient asylum procedures.
Early legal assistance.
Access to justice.
Reception systems.
Protection-sensitive policies.
Legal counselling throughout the asylum process.

These interventions help ensure refugees can access their legal rights and protection.

Promoting Socio-Economic Inclusion

Long-term inclusion is a major objective of the initiative.

Partners may support:

Employment opportunities.
Skills development.
Language training.
Affordable housing.
Healthcare access.
Social services.
Mental health support.
Municipal integration programmes.
Partnerships with employers.
Academic institution collaboration.

These activities promote self-reliance and sustainable integration.

Protection of Stateless Persons

The programme includes dedicated support for stateless people by promoting:

Identification of stateless persons.
Legal documentation.
Access to nationality pathways.
Legal counselling.
Protection services.
Access to public services.

These interventions help reduce long-term legal uncertainty and improve access to rights.

Voluntary Return and Public Awareness

UNHCR also supports refugees who may consider voluntary return when conditions permit.

Partners may provide:

Individual counselling.
Protection information.
Return guidance.
Referral services.
Decision-making support.

The initiative also promotes:

Rights-based public communication.
Responsible media engagement.
Accurate reporting on refugee and statelessness issues.
Community awareness activities.

These efforts contribute to greater public understanding and social cohesion.

Expected Results

The programme aims to achieve:

Improved access to asylum procedures.
Better reception conditions.
Expanded legal assistance.
Stronger protection systems.
Enhanced child protection.
Improved GBV prevention and response.
Increased socio-economic inclusion.
Greater access to healthcare and social services.
Improved support for stateless persons.
Better voluntary return counselling.
Increased public awareness and positive narratives.

Who Can Apply?

UNHCR invites qualified organizations with expertise in refugee protection and humanitarian programming.

Potential applicants include:

National Non-Governmental Organizations (NNGOs).
International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs).
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Community-based organizations.
Refugee-led organizations.
Humanitarian organizations.
Organizations specializing in legal aid, child protection, GBV prevention, healthcare, livelihoods, or social inclusion.

Applicants may apply for one or more programme outputs.

Eligibility Expectations

Applicants should demonstrate:

Experience working with refugees, asylum seekers, or stateless persons.
Technical expertise in relevant protection sectors.
Strong operational and financial management capacity.
Experience coordinating with government institutions and local stakeholders.
Commitment to human rights, inclusion, accountability, and protection principles.

How to Apply

Organizations should generally follow these steps:

Review the programme priorities and expected outputs.
Identify the sectors that align with their expertise.
Prepare an Expression of Interest describing relevant experience and proposed activities.
Demonstrate technical, financial, and operational capacity.
Submit the application in accordance with UNHCR’s requirements.
Selected organizations may be invited to become implementing partners.

Organizations may apply for one or multiple result areas depending on their experience.

Why This Partnership Matters

Estonia continues to receive refugees while also addressing the needs of a significant stateless population.

This partnership will help:

Strengthen asylum systems.
Improve refugee protection.
Expand legal assistance.
Promote social inclusion.
Improve access to housing, employment, and healthcare.
Support child protection.
Strengthen services for stateless persons.
Encourage informed voluntary return decisions.
Promote accurate public understanding of displacement issues.

The programme contributes to stronger protection systems and more inclusive communities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

Demonstrating expertise in refugee protection.
Highlighting successful integration programmes.
Showing experience with legal aid or asylum support.
Providing evidence of partnerships with municipalities or service providers.
Presenting measurable programme outcomes.
Demonstrating strong financial management and accountability.
Explaining how activities support long-term inclusion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

Submitting incomplete organizational information.
Providing limited evidence of technical expertise.
Failing to identify the proposed result areas.
Presenting unclear implementation plans.
Not demonstrating coordination capacity.
Overlooking protection and inclusion objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this UNHCR Call for Expressions of Interest?

The initiative seeks qualified organizations to strengthen protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons living in Estonia.

Who can apply?

National and international NGOs, civil society organizations, refugee-led organizations, community-based organizations, and other qualified entities with relevant humanitarian or protection experience are encouraged to apply.

What are the programme’s main focus areas?

The programme covers asylum access, legal assistance, child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, socio-economic inclusion, healthcare, social services, statelessness, voluntary return counselling, and public awareness.

Who will benefit from the programme?

The initiative supports refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, women, children, vulnerable households, and host communities through stronger protection systems and inclusive services.

Can organizations apply for more than one programme area?

Yes. Interested organizations may apply to contribute to one or more of the expected outputs and result areas described in the call.

How does the programme support stateless persons?

The initiative promotes the identification of stateless persons, access to legal documentation, pathways to nationality where applicable, legal counselling, and improved access to protection and public services.

Why is this partnership important?

The programme strengthens Estonia’s protection framework by improving asylum procedures, expanding legal assistance, supporting long-term integration, protecting stateless persons, and promoting greater public understanding of refugee rights and experiences.

Conclusion

The UNHCR Call for Expressions of Interest in Estonia provides an important opportunity for experienced organizations to strengthen protection systems, improve access to asylum and legal services, and promote durable solutions for refugees and stateless persons. Through partnerships focused on inclusion, legal protection, healthcare, child protection, and socio-economic opportunities, the initiative aims to build a more inclusive and resilient environment where displaced and stateless people can access their rights and achieve long-term stability.