Deadline: 15-Jun-2026
The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) Bangladesh is inviting registered civil society organisations (CSOs) to apply for the Safeguarding in Practice mentorship programme. This capacity-strengthening initiative is designed to help organisations move beyond safeguarding policy development and strengthen the practical implementation of safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) across their operations.
The programme supports organisations in building safer, more accountable, and survivor-centred workplaces and programmes. Through training, mentorship, technical support, and organisational assessments, participating CSOs will strengthen their safeguarding systems and improve accountability to staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and communities.
About the Programme
The Safeguarding in Practice mentorship programme is an intermediate-level initiative aimed at organisations that already have foundational safeguarding measures in place and are ready to deepen implementation.
The programme focuses on:
- Safeguarding and PSEAH implementation
- Survivor-centred approaches
- Organisational capacity strengthening
- Accountability and risk management
- Safer workplaces and programmes
- Gender justice and equality
- Protection and inclusion
- Prevention of gender-based violence (GBV)
- Community safeguarding practices
- Organisational learning and improvement
Participating organisations are expected to have existing safeguarding policies, codes of conduct, and basic complaint response mechanisms before joining the programme.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen safeguarding systems and practices
- Improve organisational accountability
- Promote survivor-centred responses
- Enhance understanding of safeguarding and PSEAH
- Identify and address safeguarding risks
- Strengthen organisational culture and leadership commitment
- Support the practical implementation of safeguarding policies
- Improve protection outcomes for communities and programme participants
Programme Structure
The initiative consists of two main phases designed to build knowledge and support long-term organisational change.
In-Person Training
Selected organisations will participate in a three-day face-to-face training programme.
The training will cover:
- Core safeguarding concepts
- PSEAH principles and practices
- Safeguarding terminology and frameworks
- Risk identification and management
- Root causes of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment
- Organisational safeguarding challenges
- Safeguarding gap analysis
- Priority-setting for organisational improvement
The training will establish a shared understanding of safeguarding and prepare organisations for the mentorship phase.
Eight-Month Mentorship Phase
Following the training, participants will receive eight months of tailored mentoring and technical assistance.
Support includes:
- Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA)
- Development of safeguarding action plans
- Implementation support
- Cohort-based learning sessions
- Technical guidance and resources
- Individual one-to-one mentoring
- Ongoing progress review and feedback
The mentorship phase is designed to help organisations translate safeguarding knowledge into practical organisational improvements.
Organisational Responsibilities
Each participating organisation must nominate two focal points to support programme engagement.
Required focal points include:
- A primary focal point such as a Safeguarding Advisor, Safeguarding Manager, or designated staff member responsible for day-to-day participation.
- A senior leader serving as a secondary focal point to provide strategic oversight and ensure organisational commitment.
This approach helps ensure that safeguarding improvements are integrated across all levels of the organisation.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a registered civil society organisation in Bangladesh.
- Have basic safeguarding awareness and understanding.
- Possess written safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Have an existing understanding of safeguarding and PSEAH.
- Be a medium-sized local CSO.
- Demonstrate organisational continuity and operational stability.
- Have the capacity to implement organisational changes during the eight-month mentorship period.
- Commit to participating fully in both training and mentorship activities.
- Demonstrate willingness to strengthen safeguarding practices across programmes and operations.
The programme is intended for organisations that have already established foundational safeguarding systems and are ready to advance implementation efforts.
Priority Organisations
Applications are particularly encouraged from:
- Women’s rights organisations
- Women-led organisations
- Youth-led organisations
- Organisations serving women and girls
- Organisations working with children and young people
- Disability rights and inclusion organisations
- Minority rights organisations
- Organisations supporting historically excluded communities
- Protection-focused organisations
- Gender justice organisations
- GBV prevention and response organisations
- Climate resilience organisations
- Women’s rights activist networks and platforms
These organisations often work directly with vulnerable populations and can benefit significantly from strengthened safeguarding systems.
Expected Outcomes
Participating organisations are expected to:
- Strengthen safeguarding implementation practices
- Improve survivor-centred response mechanisms
- Enhance organisational accountability
- Develop stronger complaint and reporting systems
- Build safer workplace environments
- Improve programme-level safeguarding measures
- Increase leadership commitment to safeguarding
- Create and implement practical safeguarding action plans
- Strengthen protection outcomes for communities and beneficiaries
The programme aims to support long-term organisational change rather than short-term policy development alone.
Why This Programme Matters
Strong safeguarding systems are essential for creating safe, respectful, and accountable organisations. While many organisations have safeguarding policies in place, effective implementation often requires additional skills, leadership commitment, and practical support.
The Safeguarding in Practice mentorship programme helps organisations bridge the gap between policy and practice by providing hands-on guidance, technical expertise, and tailored mentoring. This contributes to safer environments for staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, and communities while strengthening trust and accountability across civil society organisations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the programme?
- Registered civil society organisations in Bangladesh with existing safeguarding policies and basic safeguarding systems.
What level of safeguarding experience is required?
- The programme is intended for organisations that already have foundational safeguarding knowledge and are ready to strengthen implementation.
How long does the programme last?
- The programme includes a three-day in-person training followed by an eight-month mentorship phase.
What support will participating organisations receive?
- Participants will receive training, organisational assessments, action planning support, cohort learning opportunities, technical assistance, and one-to-one mentoring.
Is a safeguarding policy required?
- Yes. Organisations should already have written safeguarding policies, procedures, and basic complaint response mechanisms.
Who should be nominated to participate?
- Organisations must nominate a primary safeguarding focal point and a senior leader to support programme engagement and implementation.
Which organisations are prioritised?
- Women’s rights, youth-led, disability inclusion, minority rights, protection, GBV, climate resilience, and other organisations serving vulnerable or marginalised communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Conclusion
The Safeguarding in Practice mentorship programme offers registered CSOs in Bangladesh an opportunity to strengthen safeguarding and PSEAH implementation through structured training, expert mentorship, and tailored technical support. By helping organisations move from policy development to practical action, the programme supports safer, more accountable, and survivor-centred organisations that are better equipped to protect the communities they serve.
For more information, visit Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub.