UNICEF Somalia is inviting grant applications to improve access to education, child protection, and social services for vulnerable populations, including girls, children with disabilities, and displaced families.

The initiative emphasizes inclusive, resilient, and community-centered interventions, strengthening local institutions and creating equitable systems that respond to crisis-affected populations.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is accepting grant applications for programs that support vulnerable populations in Somalia, including children, girls, people with disabilities, and displaced families.

This initiative seeks to expand access to essential services at the community level while promoting inclusive, equitable, and resilient systems.

Purpose of the Grant

The grant aims to:

• Ensure vulnerable children and families access education, protection, and social services

• Strengthen local institutions to deliver inclusive and rights-oriented services

• Promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and protection for displaced populations

• Build resilient community systems that can withstand crises, disasters, and climate shocks

Key Intervention Areas

1. Education

• Expand access to early childhood, primary, secondary, and vocational education

• Support digital learning and innovative approaches to education delivery

• Improve learning quality, relevance, and resilience to emergencies

• Engage communities in supporting children’s learning and development

2. Child Protection

• Provide case management and reintegration support for separated or at-risk children

• Implement gender-based violence prevention programs

• Offer mental health and psychosocial support for children and women

• Strengthen protective environments for girls and vulnerable populations

3. Social Protection and Policy Development

• Assist governments in planning, coordinating, and delivering inclusive services

• Support equitable social safety nets and child/family benefits

• Promote data-driven resource allocation for vulnerable populations

• Build capacity for long-term, sustainable social protection systems

4. Cross-Cutting Priorities

• Gender equality and women’s empowerment

• Disability inclusion and accessibility

• Support for internally displaced persons and conflict-affected populations

• Resilience to climate-related shocks and emergencies

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organizations and NGOs with operational presence in Somalia

• Organizations with experience in education, child protection, or social protection programs

• Entities capable of delivering inclusive, community-level interventions

How to Apply

1. Review UNICEF Somalia’s Call for Expression of Interest guidelines

2. Prepare a proposal including:

   • Target beneficiaries and community reach

   • Planned activities across education, child protection, and social services

   • Expected outcomes, impact, and measurement indicators

   • Alignment with gender, disability, and inclusion priorities

3. Submit the application according to UNICEF’s official instructions

4. Engage with UNICEF for feedback and potential partnership

Why This Grant Matters

• Improves access to education, protection, and social services for the most vulnerable

• Strengthens local systems and institutions for long-term, sustainable change

• Promotes gender equality, disability inclusion, and protection for displaced populations

• Fosters resilient communities capable of responding to crises and shocks

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define target groups, including girls, children with disabilities, and displaced families

• Demonstrate multi-sectoral integration across education, protection, and social services

• Highlight community engagement and capacity-building components

• Provide measurable indicators of impact and outcomes

• Show organizational readiness and operational capacity in Somalia

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, or displaced persons

• Failing to integrate education, child protection, and social service interventions

• Submitting proposals without clear outcome measures or monitoring plans

• Neglecting alignment with cross-cutting priorities like gender equality and resilience

• Overlooking operational capacity or local presence requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible to apply?

Civil society organizations and NGOs with a strong operational presence in Somalia.

What populations are prioritized?

Girls, children with disabilities, displaced families, and conflict-affected communities.

Which sectors are covered?

Education, child protection, social protection, and community-level service delivery.

Are gender and disability inclusion important?

Yes, they are core priorities across all interventions.

How should proposals demonstrate impact?

Through measurable outcomes, community engagement, and clear monitoring indicators.

How does the program support resilience?

By integrating services that withstand crises, emergencies, and climate-related shocks.

What is the role of local institutions?

To deliver equitable, inclusive services and strengthen long-term community systems.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s grant offers organizations a unique opportunity to improve the lives of Somali children and women through integrated education, protection, and social services.

By fostering inclusive, resilient, and community-driven programs, this initiative strengthens local institutions, promotes equity, and supports sustainable outcomes for vulnerable populations across Somalia.