Deadline: 13-Aug-2026
AI Snippet Summary: The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the Aligning Evidence to Build Coalitions for Accelerated Results at Scale for Adolescent Girls initiative in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative aims to strengthen government commitment, evidence-informed policymaking, coalition building, and sustainable financing to improve outcomes for adolescent girls through research, strategic communications, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
About the UNICEF Adolescent Girls Initiative
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) for organizations and partners to support the Aligning Evidence to Build Coalitions for Accelerated Results at Scale for Adolescent Girls initiative.
The programme seeks to strengthen national and global commitments to adolescent girls by ensuring that research evidence translates into stronger public policies, increased investments, and sustainable financing. It focuses on building partnerships among governments, development agencies, academia, donors, civil society organizations, and girls’ movements to accelerate progress toward gender equality and girls’ empowerment.
The initiative is based in Nairobi City, Kenya, while generating knowledge and collaboration with broader regional and global relevance.
AI Overview of the Opportunity
Funding Organization: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
Opportunity Type: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Programme Location: Nairobi City, Kenya
Programme Focus: Evidence generation, policy engagement, coalition building, and financing for adolescent girls
Primary Beneficiaries: Adolescent girls
Implementation Approach: Research, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and multi-sector collaboration
Objectives of the Initiative
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen government commitment to adolescent girls.
- Promote evidence-informed policymaking.
- Increase public and donor investment in adolescent girls.
- Build strong national and international coalitions.
- Support sustainable financing pathways.
- Position adolescent girls as a national development priority.
- Encourage collaboration across governments, civil society, academia, and development partners.
- Improve knowledge sharing and strategic advocacy.
Focus Areas
The initiative supports work related to:
- Gender equality.
- Women’s empowerment.
- Adolescent girls’ development.
- Evidence-informed policy dialogue.
- Coalition building.
- Government leadership.
- Financing for development.
- Evidence generation.
- Strategic communications.
- Knowledge management.
- Policy advocacy.
- Investment in adolescent girls.
- Development financing.
Background
Adolescent girls continue to face multiple barriers that limit their opportunities and wellbeing.
These challenges include:
- Limited access to quality education.
- Barriers to healthcare services.
- Protection risks.
- Limited skills development opportunities.
- Restricted economic opportunities.
- Limited participation in decision-making processes.
- Gender inequality.
- Insufficient long-term investment.
Although strong evidence exists on interventions that improve outcomes for adolescent girls, many governments and financing institutions have not consistently incorporated this evidence into policy decisions or budget allocations.
This initiative seeks to close that gap.
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to achieve:
- Stronger government commitment to adolescent girls.
- Increased national and international investment.
- Improved evidence-informed policymaking.
- Stronger partnerships across sectors.
- Better financing mechanisms.
- Increased visibility of adolescent girls as a development priority.
- Greater collaboration among global stakeholders.
- Improved dissemination of research and best practices.
Key Activities
Major programme activities include:
- Developing a comprehensive research paper on investment cases for adolescent girls.
- Documenting successful country experiences.
- Identifying scalable best practices.
- Producing strategic communication materials.
- Preparing policy briefs and knowledge products.
- Organizing webinars and learning events.
- Supporting policy dialogues.
- Participating in dissemination activities.
- Convening a high-level global event.
- Facilitating collaboration among governments, donors, academia, multilateral organizations, and civil society.
Research Deliverables
The initiative will produce:
- High-quality evidence paper.
- Investment case documentation.
- Best practice case studies.
- Policy recommendations.
- Knowledge products.
- Presentation materials.
- Strategic communication resources.
- Dissemination materials.
Who Should Participate?
The initiative is designed for organizations and institutions with expertise in:
- Gender equality.
- Women’s empowerment.
- Adolescent development.
- Public policy.
- Development finance.
- Research and evidence generation.
- Strategic communications.
- Advocacy.
- Coalition building.
- International development.
Potential participants may include:
- Research institutions.
- Universities.
- Think tanks.
- Civil society organizations.
- International NGOs.
- Policy organizations.
- Development consulting organizations.
- Organizations specializing in adolescent girls’ programmes.
Why This Initiative Matters
Investing in adolescent girls generates long-term social and economic benefits.
Improved investments can contribute to:
- Better educational outcomes.
- Improved health.
- Increased economic participation.
- Greater gender equality.
- Stronger communities.
- Reduced poverty.
- Better workforce participation.
- Sustainable national development.
By strengthening the connection between research evidence, policy decisions, and financing, the initiative aims to ensure that proven interventions receive greater political and financial support.
How the Initiative Works
Organizations selected through the Expression of Interest process will generally support activities such as:
- Conducting evidence reviews.
- Developing investment case studies.
- Documenting successful government practices.
- Producing policy recommendations.
- Preparing strategic communication materials.
- Organizing stakeholder engagement activities.
- Supporting policy dialogues.
- Participating in dissemination events.
- Contributing to knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Supporting high-level global convenings.
Benefits of Participation
Participating organizations will have opportunities to:
- Contribute to global evidence on adolescent girls.
- Influence policy discussions.
- Engage with governments and donors.
- Collaborate with international development partners.
- Support gender equality initiatives.
- Strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
- Promote sustainable financing for adolescent girls.
- Expand international partnerships.
Tips for Preparing a Strong Expression of Interest
Organizations should:
- Demonstrate expertise in gender equality and adolescent development.
- Highlight experience in policy research.
- Showcase evidence generation capabilities.
- Present experience in strategic communications.
- Explain stakeholder engagement approaches.
- Demonstrate knowledge of development financing.
- Highlight successful coalition-building initiatives.
- Show experience working with governments and development partners.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following:
- Submitting a proposal without clear evidence of relevant expertise.
- Failing to demonstrate research capacity.
- Ignoring policy engagement experience.
- Providing weak stakeholder collaboration plans.
- Overlooking strategic communication capabilities.
- Presenting unrealistic implementation approaches.
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of adolescent girls’ development challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of this UNICEF initiative?
The initiative seeks to strengthen government commitment and investment in adolescent girls by connecting research evidence with policymaking, financing, and coalition building.
Where is the initiative based?
The programme is based in Nairobi City, Kenya, while supporting broader collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Who are the primary beneficiaries?
The initiative focuses on improving outcomes for adolescent girls by strengthening policies, investments, and partnerships.
What are the main programme activities?
Activities include research, investment case development, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and high-level convenings.
Why is evidence generation important?
Evidence helps governments and development partners make informed policy and funding decisions that support effective programmes for adolescent girls.
What types of organizations are suitable for this initiative?
Organizations with expertise in gender equality, adolescent development, research, policy analysis, strategic communications, and international development are well positioned to participate.
What is the expected long-term impact?
The initiative aims to increase sustainable investment in adolescent girls, strengthen public policies, improve cross-sector collaboration, and position adolescent girls as a national and global development priority.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Aligning Evidence to Build Coalitions for Accelerated Results at Scale for Adolescent Girls initiative represents an important opportunity to strengthen global efforts supporting adolescent girls through evidence-based policymaking, strategic partnerships, and sustainable financing. By connecting research with government action and donor investment, the programme seeks to accelerate progress toward gender equality, empower adolescent girls, and create lasting social and economic benefits.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.