Apply for Community-Based Protection Support Programme (Mozambique)

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mozambique is seeking experienced partners to implement community-based protection and solutions for refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities in displacement-affected settings. The initiative focuses on strengthening inclusive governance, community resilience, social cohesion, and protection outcomes through community-driven approaches. It is part of the Protection and Solutions Programme and is grounded in the Results Framework of UNHCR Mozambique’s Multi-Year Strategy.

About the Programme

The UNHCR Mozambique Protection and Solutions Programme aims to empower displaced and host populations by ensuring that communities have meaningful opportunities to participate in protection and decision-making processes.

The programme focuses on:

- Inclusive governance. - Community resilience. - Community-based protection. - Social cohesion. - Protection risk prevention and response. - Meaningful community participation. - Access to information and referral pathways. - Livelihood and economic empowerment. The approach recognizes communities as important actors in identifying protection concerns, developing solutions, and strengthening resilience in displacement-affected settings. Target Populations

The programme is designed to support:

- Refugees. - Asylum-seekers. - Internally displaced persons (IDPs). - Returnees. - Host communities. Particular attention is given to people who may face additional barriers to participation, protection, or access to services. Strengthening Community-Based Protection A central component of the programme is strengthening community structures so they can identify, prevent, and respond to protection risks. Community leaders and structures will receive capacity support to improve their ability to recognize protection concerns and contribute to appropriate responses. This community-based approach can help ensure that protection mechanisms are connected to the realities and priorities of affected populations. Inclusive Governance and Participation The programme emphasizes meaningful participation in governance and decision-making. Community members should have opportunities to express their concerns, contribute to assessments, participate in consultations, and influence decisions affecting their lives. Special attention is given to the participation of: The goal is to ensure that diverse community perspectives are represented rather than relying only on the voices of community leaders or dominant groups. Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms The programme seeks to establish accessible and inclusive feedback and response mechanisms. These mechanisms can provide communities with safe ways to communicate concerns, provide feedback, and raise protection issues. The programme also emphasizes safe and confidential community feedback channels, particularly where confidentiality is important for individuals reporting sensitive concerns.

Participatory Assessments and Consultations

Participatory assessments and consultations are an important part of the programme

These processes help ensure that different community voices are heard when identifying protection concerns and establishing priorities. Inclusive consultations should consider the experiences and needs of different population groups, including women, girls, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities, and minority groups. Capacity Building for Community Leaders Community leaders and structures are expected to play an important role in protection. The programme supports capacity building so community actors can better: - Identify protection risks. - Prevent protection concerns. - Respond to protection risks. - Connect people with relevant services. - Support community dialogue. - Strengthen social cohesion. Building local capacity can also contribute to stronger and more sustainable community-based protection mechanisms. Support for Persons with Specific Needs The programme includes targeted support for people with specific needs, including older persons and persons with disabilities.

Potential support components include:

- Case management. - Referrals. - Rehabilitation. - Psychosocial support. These services are intended to help people facing additional vulnerabilities access appropriate protection and support. Women’s and Girls’ Leadership Women’s and girls’ leadership and participation are prioritized within the programme. Capacity support will help strengthen their participation in governance and community decision-making. The programme also seeks to strengthen safe reporting mechanisms, providing safer channels through which women and girls can raise protection concerns. Livelihood and Economic Empowerment Protection and resilience can also be supported through economic opportunities. The programme therefore includes the promotion of livelihood and economic empowerment opportunities for affected communities. Economic empowerment can contribute to greater household resilience while supporting people’s ability to participate more independently in community life. Promoting Social Cohesion Social cohesion is another major focus of the initiative. Displacement can create tensions and grievances within and between communities. The programme supports mechanisms that enable communities to address these issues constructively.

Activities can include:

- Community dialogues. - Cultural activities. - Social cohesion initiatives. - Joint community engagement. These approaches are intended to encourage peaceful coexistence and strengthen relationships among different groups. Community Dialogues and Conflict Prevention Community dialogues provide opportunities for people to discuss tensions, grievances, and shared concerns. The programme supports constructive dialogue so communities can work toward peaceful solutions instead of allowing grievances to deepen. Inclusive participation is important