Apply Now: Economic Empowerment and Inclusion Support in Burkina Faso

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking an implementing partner to support the economic empowerment, resilience, and sustainable inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities in Burkina Faso. The partnership is expected to support a national-scale project from 2027 to 2030, subject to the availability of resources and annual programming decisions. The selected organization will work with UNHCR to improve access to skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, financial services, markets, productive assets, and sustainable economic opportunities. Eligible organizations must have at least three years of relevant experience implementing livelihood, economic empowerment, and inclusion programs for forcibly displaced populations. Experience in vocational training, entrepreneurship, business development, market-oriented livelihoods, private-sector partnerships, financial services, project management, and risk management will be important. What Is the UNHCR Burkina Faso Economic Empowerment Partnership? This Call for Expressions of Interest seeks to identify an organization capable of partnering with UNHCR to implement a national-scale economic empowerment and inclusion project in Burkina Faso. The partnership will focus on helping forcibly displaced and vulnerable populations build sustainable livelihoods, improve their economic independence, and strengthen their ability to withstand economic, climate-related, and security shocks. The project is planned for 2027–2030, although implementation will depend on available resources and annual programming decisions. Main Goal of the Partnership

The overarching goal is to promote:

- Economic empowerment - Resilience - Sustainable inclusion - Decent employment - Entrepreneurship - Self-employment - Access to financial services - Market participation - Sustainable economic opportunities The intervention will support both individuals and businesses while strengthening connections between displaced populations and local economic systems. Who Will Benefit? The project will target several groups affected by displacement and vulnerability in Burkina Faso, including: - Refugees - Asylum seekers - Stateless persons - Internally displaced persons - Returnees - Vulnerable host communities Special attention will be given to people who face additional barriers to economic participation, including: - Women - Youth - Persons with disabilities - Other groups facing specific economic or protection barriers Skills Development and Vocational Training A major component of the project will be strengthening the technical and professional skills of target populations.

Activities may include:

- Market-relevant vocational training - Technical skills development - Professional orientation - Mentoring - Employment preparation - Entrepreneurship training - Financial skills development Training should be connected to actual market opportunities so that beneficiaries can use their skills to access employment, start businesses, or develop existing economic activities. Entrepreneurship Development The partnership will support people interested in starting or expanding businesses. Entrepreneurship support will focus on helping beneficiaries develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to establish viable economic activities.

Support will contribute to:

- Business development - Entrepreneurial skills - Business planning - Market access - Financial management - Risk management - Business resilience The objective is to help supported businesses become more viable and better able to withstand economic and other shocks. Access to Decent Employment The project will help beneficiaries improve their access to decent employment and self-employment. This may involve connecting trained individuals with employers and creating pathways from skills development to actual employment opportunities. Professional orientation, mentoring, private-sector partnerships, internships, and employment support will help bridge the gap between training and sustainable economic participation. Private-Sector Partnerships Collaboration with the private sector is an important part of the intervention. The implementing partner is expected to develop partnerships that can create opportunities for: - Internships - Employment - Subcontracting - Business development - Market access - Entrepreneurship support Private-sector engagement can help ensure that training and livelihood activities are aligned with actual market demand. Access to Financial Services The project will also improve beneficiaries’ access to financial services. Financial inclusion can help individuals and businesses manage income, invest in productive activities, expand enterprises, and improve resilience. Applicants should therefore demonstrate previous experience supporting access to financial services for vulnerable or displaced populations. Access to Markets Economic empowerment requires more than skills and training. The project will help beneficiaries gain better access to: - Local markets - Customers - Business networks - Value chains - Economic opportunities - Private-sector relationships Market-oriented approaches should ensure that livelihood activities respond to real economic demand and have potential for sustainability. Productive Assets and Equipment The partnership will facilitate access to productive assets and equipment where appropriate. These resources can help beneficiaries establish or strengthen income-generating activities and businesses. Support may be connected to vocational training, entrepreneurship, value-chain participation, and other livelihood interventions. Value Chain Integration The intervention will promote integration into relevant value chains and local economic systems. This approach can help displaced populations move beyond isolated livelihood activities and participate