Call for Protection and Solutions for Forcibly Displaced and Stateless People (Lithuania)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a Call for Applications to identify partners that will strengthen the protection, inclusion, and durable solutions for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons in Lithuania. The initiative supports projects that improve asylum access, legal assistance, socio-economic inclusion, child protection, healthcare, statelessness, voluntary return counselling, and long-term integration.

UNHCR Call for Applications: Protection and Inclusion of Refugees and Stateless Persons in Lithuania

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting qualified organizations to become implementing partners for programmes supporting forcibly displaced and stateless people in Lithuania.

The partnership aims to strengthen protection systems, improve access to asylum and legal services, promote durable solutions, and expand socio-economic opportunities for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons.

Program Overview

UNHCR is seeking organizations that can support refugee protection and long-term inclusion across Lithuania through coordinated humanitarian and development interventions.

The programme focuses on:

Strengthening asylum systems.
Improving reception conditions.
Expanding legal assistance.
Promoting socio-economic inclusion.
Supporting child protection.
Preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV).
Protecting stateless persons.
Supporting voluntary return counselling.
Promoting rights-based public awareness and media engagement.

Organizations may apply to implement one or more programme outcomes based on their expertise and operational capacity.

Background

Lithuania currently hosts:

More than 53,000 Ukrainians under Temporary Protection.
Asylum-seekers from various other countries.
More than 2,000 stateless persons.

Most Ukrainians under Temporary Protection are:

Women.
Children.
Older persons.
Persons with disabilities.

While Lithuania has established asylum and protection systems within the Baltic region, continued displacement has created ongoing needs for protection, legal support, and long-term integration.

Challenges include:

Access to asylum procedures.
Reception conditions.
Legal assistance.
Housing.
Employment.
Recognition of qualifications.
Mental health support.
Child protection.
Support for stateless persons.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

Strengthen access to asylum procedures.
Improve reception conditions.
Expand legal assistance.
Promote fair and efficient asylum procedures.
Strengthen protection-sensitive legislation.
Encourage alternatives to detention.
Improve socio-economic inclusion.
Expand healthcare and social services.
Promote child protection.
Strengthen mental health support.
Improve access to affordable housing.
Support recognition of qualifications.
Protect stateless persons.
Promote 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.
Ukrainians under Temporary Protection.
Stateless persons.
Women.
Children.
Older persons.
Persons with disabilities.
Survivors of gender-based violence.
Vulnerable households.
Host communities benefiting from inclusive programmes.

Key Activities

Selected partners may implement activities such as:

Legal counselling.
Asylum support services.
Reception assistance.
Child protection interventions.
Gender-based violence prevention and response.
Mental health and psychosocial support.
Healthcare referrals.
Language training.
Qualification recognition support.
Employment and livelihood programmes.
Housing assistance.
Family reunification support.
Documentation services.
Statelessness assistance.
Community engagement.
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 access to legal assistance.
Quality legal aid.
Reception systems.
Protection-sensitive legislation.
Alternatives to detention.
Access to justice throughout the asylum process.

These interventions help ensure that asylum-seekers receive effective legal protection and procedural safeguards.

Promoting Socio-Economic Inclusion

Long-term integration is a central objective of the initiative.

Partners may support:

Secure residence status.
Employment opportunities.
Skills development.
Language training.
Recognition of academic and professional qualifications.
Affordable housing.
Healthcare services.
Social protection.
Mental health support.
Municipal integration initiatives.
Partnerships with employers.
Collaboration with academic institutions.
Community participation.

These measures promote self-reliance and sustainable inclusion.

Support for Stateless Persons

The initiative also strengthens protection for stateless persons by supporting:

Legal documentation.
Improved legal frameworks.
Pathways to nationality where available.
Child protection safeguards.
Legal counselling.
Access to public services.

These activities help reduce legal uncertainty and improve access to rights.

Voluntary Return and Public Awareness

Refugees considering voluntary return may receive:

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

The programme also promotes:

Rights-based public communication.
Responsible media engagement.
Accurate reporting on refugee and statelessness issues.
Public awareness campaigns that foster inclusion and social cohesion.

Expected Results

The programme aims to achieve:

Improved access to territory.
Better reception conditions.
Fair and efficient asylum procedures.
Expanded legal assistance.
Stronger protection systems.
Enhanced child protection.
Improved GBV prevention and response.
Greater socio-economic inclusion.
Better healthcare and social service access.
Improved support for stateless persons.
Increased voluntary repatriation counselling.
Stronger public understanding of refugee rights and experiences.

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, healthcare, livelihoods, gender-based violence prevention, statelessness, or social inclusion.

Applicants may contribute to one or more programme outcomes.

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 working with government institutions, municipalities, and community stakeholders.
Commitment to human rights, accountability, inclusion, and protection principles.

How to Apply

Organizations should generally follow these steps:

Review the programme priorities and expected outcomes.
Identify the sectors that match the organization’s expertise.
Prepare an application describing relevant experience and proposed interventions.
Demonstrate technical, financial, and operational capacity.
Submit the application according to UNHCR’s application requirements.
Selected organizations may be invited to become implementing partners.

Organizations may apply for one or multiple result areas outlined in the call.

Why This Partnership Matters

Lithuania continues to respond to displacement while strengthening protection systems for refugees and stateless persons.

This partnership will help:

Improve asylum procedures.
Expand legal assistance.
Strengthen reception conditions.
Promote long-term integration.
Increase employment and housing opportunities.
Improve healthcare and mental health support.
Protect stateless persons.
Support informed voluntary return decisions.
Promote accurate public understanding of refugee issues.

The initiative contributes to stronger national protection systems and more inclusive communities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances by:

Demonstrating expertise in refugee protection and inclusion.
Highlighting successful integration programmes.
Showing experience with asylum and legal assistance.
Demonstrating partnerships with municipalities, employers, academic institutions, or civil society.
Presenting measurable programme outcomes.
Showing strong governance and financial accountability.
Explaining how activities will strengthen 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 programme outcomes being addressed.
Presenting unclear implementation plans.
Not demonstrating coordination with key stakeholders.
Overlooking protection and inclusion objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this UNHCR Call for Applications?

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

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, Ukrainians under Temporary Protection, stateless persons, women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities, vulnerable households, and host communities through stronger protection and inclusion systems.

Can organizations apply for more than one programme outcome?

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

How does the programme support stateless persons?

The initiative strengthens legal frameworks, improves access to documentation, promotes pathways to nationality where applicable, enhances child protection safeguards, and expands access to legal assistance and public services.

Why is this partnership important?

The programme strengthens Lithuania’s asylum and protection systems while improving socio-economic inclusion, supporting stateless persons, expanding access to essential services, and promoting informed public understanding of refugees and displacement.

Conclusion

The UNHCR Call for Applications in Lithuania provides an important opportunity for experienced organizations to strengthen protection systems and improve long-term outcomes for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. Through partnerships focused on legal protection, healthcare, child protection, livelihoods, socio-economic inclusion, and voluntary return counselling, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive environment where displaced people can safely access their rights, essential services, and sustainable opportunities for the future.