CFAs: Protection and Solutions for Forcibly Displaced and Stateless People in Latvia

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 Latvia. The initiative supports projects focused on 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 Latvia

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

The partnership aims to strengthen refugee protection systems, improve access to asylum and legal services, promote durable solutions, and enhance long-term socio-economic inclusion for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons.

Program Overview

UNHCR is seeking organizations that can help improve protection services and strengthen inclusion for displaced populations across Latvia.

The programme focuses on:

Strengthening asylum systems.
Improving legal assistance.
Enhancing reception conditions.
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 contribute to one or more programme outcomes based on their expertise and operational capacity.

Background

Latvia hosts refugees from several countries, including:

Ukraine (under Temporary Protection).
Afghanistan.
Syria.
Eritrea.
Iraq.
Other countries experiencing displacement.

Most refugees from Ukraine are women and children, while refugees from other countries often face greater protection risks due to complex legal, social, and economic circumstances.

Latvia also has:

A significant population of long-term residents with non-citizen status.
A smaller number of persons officially recognized as stateless.

Although Latvia has established asylum systems within the Baltic region, ongoing displacement caused by the conflict in Ukraine has increased demand for protection services and long-term integration support.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

Strengthen access to asylum procedures.
Improve reception conditions.
Expand access to legal assistance.
Promote fair and efficient asylum procedures.
Strengthen protection-sensitive legislation.
Encourage alternatives to immigration detention where appropriate.
Improve socio-economic inclusion.
Protect stateless persons.
Expand healthcare and social services.
Promote child protection.
Strengthen mental health support.
Support 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.
Persons with non-citizen status.
Women and girls.
Children.
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.
Housing support.
Language training.
Employment and livelihood programmes.
Family reunification assistance.
Documentation support.
Statelessness assistance.
Community engagement.
Public awareness campaigns.
Media engagement.
Voluntary return counselling.

Strengthening Asylum and Legal Protection

The initiative seeks to improve refugee protection by supporting:

Fair asylum procedures.
Quality legal aid.
Early legal assistance.
Reception systems.
Protection-sensitive policies.
Alternatives to detention.
Access to justice throughout the asylum process.

These measures help ensure refugees receive timely and effective legal protection.

Promoting Socio-Economic Inclusion

Long-term inclusion is a major component of the programme.

Partners may support:

Access to employment.
Vocational opportunities.
Language education.
Affordable housing.
Healthcare services.
Social protection.
Mental health support.
Municipal integration programmes.
Partnerships with employers.
Collaboration with universities and academic institutions.

These interventions help refugees build sustainable livelihoods and become active members of their communities.

Support for Stateless Persons

UNHCR also seeks to strengthen protection for stateless persons by promoting:

Legal documentation.
Identification of stateless persons.
Pathways to nationality where available.
Child protection safeguards.
Legal counselling.
Access to essential public services.

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

Voluntary Return and Public Awareness

The programme also supports refugees considering voluntary return when conditions permit.

Partners may provide:

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

In addition, the initiative promotes:

Rights-based public communication.
Accurate media reporting.
Positive public narratives.
Awareness campaigns on refugee and statelessness issues.

These activities contribute to greater public understanding 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.
Better GBV prevention and response.
Increased socio-economic inclusion.
Improved healthcare and social services.
Stronger support for stateless persons.
Better voluntary repatriation counselling.
Increased public awareness and rights-based media coverage.

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, or social inclusion.

Applicants may apply for one or more programme outcomes.

Eligibility Expectations

Applicants should demonstrate:

Experience working with refugees, asylum-seekers, or stateless persons.
Technical expertise in relevant programme sectors.
Strong operational and financial management capacity.
Experience working 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 objectives and expected outcomes.
Identify the sectors that match the organization’s expertise.
Prepare an application outlining relevant experience and proposed activities.
Demonstrate technical, financial, and operational capacity.
Submit the application according to UNHCR’s application requirements.
Selected organizations may be invited to become implementing partners.

Applicants may contribute to one or multiple programme result areas.

Why This Partnership Matters

Latvia continues to strengthen its response to refugee protection while addressing the needs of stateless persons and people with non-citizen status.

This partnership will help:

Improve asylum systems.
Expand legal assistance.
Promote social inclusion.
Strengthen child protection.
Increase access to healthcare and housing.
Improve employment opportunities.
Protect stateless persons.
Support informed voluntary return decisions.
Promote accurate public understanding of displacement 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.
Highlighting successful integration programmes.
Showing experience with asylum and legal assistance.
Demonstrating partnerships with municipalities, employers, or academic institutions.
Presenting measurable programme outcomes.
Showing strong financial accountability.
Explaining how proposed activities support long-term inclusion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

Submitting incomplete organizational information.
Providing insufficient evidence of technical expertise.
Failing to identify the programme outcomes being addressed.
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 Applications?

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

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, people with non-citizen status, women, children, 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 described in the call.

How does the programme support stateless persons?

The initiative promotes legal documentation, pathways to nationality where applicable, child protection safeguards, legal counselling, and improved access to protection and public services.

Why is this partnership important?

The programme strengthens Latvia’s asylum and protection systems while promoting long-term socio-economic inclusion, improving legal assistance, supporting stateless persons, and encouraging informed public understanding of refugee and displacement issues.

Conclusion

The UNHCR Call for Applications in Latvia 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, child protection, healthcare, livelihoods, socio-economic inclusion, and voluntary return counselling, the initiative aims to build a more inclusive society where displaced and stateless people can safely access their rights, essential services, and sustainable opportunities for the future.