Call for EOIs: Integrated Community-Based Protection, Child Protection, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention (Burkina Faso)

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking qualified organizations in Burkina Faso to implement an integrated protection program supporting refugees, asylum seekers, stateless persons, internally displaced persons, and host communities. The partnership will focus on community-based protection, child protection, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, health, education, protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, social cohesion, and support for people with specific needs. It will also strengthen protection data systems, identification and referral mechanisms, emergency response capacities, and the technical and institutional capacity of local organizations. Eligible organizations should have relevant sector expertise, strong local presence, experience working with affected communities, robust project and financial management systems, and the capacity to operate in complex security environments. Applications are to be submitted through the UN Partner Portal using the provided concept note template by the stated deadline. What Is the UNHCR Burkina Faso Partnership Opportunity? This UNHCR opportunity seeks implementation partners to strengthen protection and resilience among displaced and vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso. The program uses an integrated, community-based approach rather than addressing protection concerns separately. It brings together protection, health, education, GBV prevention and response, child protection, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. The overall approach is designed to improve access to services while strengthening the capacity of communities, institutions, local organizations, and humanitarian actors to respond to protection risks. Who Will Benefit?

The intervention is intended to support:

- Refugees - Asylum seekers - Stateless persons - Internally displaced persons (IDPs) - Refugee children, adolescents, and youth - Women and girls at risk of GBV - Persons with disabilities - People with specific protection needs - Host communities - Displaced- or stateless-person-led organizations The program also emphasizes meaningful participation of affected populations in decisions and activities that concern them. Main Objectives of the Partnership

The partnership aims to:

- Strengthen community-based protection mechanisms. - Improve protection data collection and analysis. - Strengthen identification and referral systems for people at risk. - Improve emergency protection response capacities. - Prevent and respond to gender-based violence. - Strengthen child protection systems. - Improve access to health and education services. - Prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. - Promote social cohesion and inclusion. - Strengthen community leadership and empowerment. - Build institutional and technical capacity among local organizations. - Support resilience and contribute to durable solutions. Community-Based Protection Community-based protection is a central component of the intervention. The program seeks to empower affected communities to participate actively in identifying protection risks and developing appropriate responses.

Partners will contribute to strengthening

- Community protection structures - Local leadership - Community participation - Identification of vulnerable people - Referral mechanisms - Emergency response - Community resilience - Social cohesion The approach recognizes affected communities as active participants in protection rather than only recipients of assistance. Strengthening Protection Data Improved protection data will support better understanding of the risks faced by displaced and vulnerable populations. The partnership will strengthen systems for: - Collecting protection information - Identifying emerging risks - Analyzing protection trends - Identifying people requiring assistance - Referring individuals to appropriate services - Supporting evidence-based decisions Better data can help humanitarian and local actors respond more effectively to changing protection needs. Identification and Referral Systems Early identification of people at risk is another important priority. Community-based mechanisms will help identify vulnerable individuals and connect them with relevant services. Effective referral systems can improve access to: - Health services - Protection assistance - GBV services - Child protection - Legal identity and documentation support - Education - Other specialized services Health Component The health component focuses on improving equitable access to primary healthcare for refugees. The project will work to strengthen both community-level and health-facility capacity.

Key areas include:

- Community identification of people requiring healthcare - Referral mechanisms - Strengthening health facilities - Improving access to primary healthcare - Integration of refugees into the national health system The goal is to reduce barriers that prevent refugees from accessing essential healthcare services. Education Support for Refugee Children and Youth Education is another major component of the intervention. The project will support refugee children, adolescents, and youth to access and remain in education while improving their chances of academic success.

Activities will focus on:

- Access to education - Retention - Academic success - Sustainable inclusion in the national education system - Higher education opportunities - Vocational training Particular attention will be given to girls and persons with disabilities to help ensure that education opportunities are inclusive. Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response The partnership will strengthen the capacity of authorities, communities, and humanitarian partners to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV). The intervention seeks to ensure that GBV services are: - Accessible - Inclusive - High quality - Responsive to individual needs - Available to women, girls, and other at-