Call for EOIs: Partnership for UNHCR Strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting applications from NGOs with technical expertise to partner in implementing its 2027–2030 strategy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The partnership opportunity focuses on protection, asylum, refugee inclusion, durable solutions, and prevention and reduction of statelessness. UNHCR is seeking experienced organizations capable of delivering protection-sensitive services and supporting nationally owned asylum, statelessness, and inclusion systems.

About the UNHCR NGO Partnerships in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has developed into a host country for refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, and stateless people. The country continues to address protracted displacement and statelessness while working to strengthen its migration and asylum systems in line with international and European standards. UNHCR’s 2027–2030 strategy aims to strengthen nationally owned and protection-sensitive systems covering asylum, statelessness, and inclusion. The strategy also focuses on durable solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless people and greater national ownership across relevant institutions. What Is the 2027–2030 Strategy Focused On? The UNHCR strategy is structured around four main outcome areas.

These include:

- Ensuring access to territory and effective referral for people with vulnerabilities. - Delivering quality asylum decisions and access to sustainable free legal assistance. - Aligning national legal and policy frameworks with international standards. - Investing in the socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance of forcibly displaced and stateless people. The strategy places emphasis on strengthening protection-sensitive systems and supporting state ownership of asylum, migration, statelessness, and inclusion mechanisms. Key Areas of Work for NGO Partners NGO partners may support one or more areas of work under the strategy.

Key areas include:

- Providing accurate information and counselling upon arrival. - Providing free and quality legal information and representation. - Collecting data and advocating for improved legislation. - Preventing and reducing statelessness. - Providing targeted integration assistance to refugees facing barriers to inclusion. - Supporting durable solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless people. Partners are expected to have the technical expertise and operational capacity needed to deliver these activities effectively. Protection and Arrival Assistance NGO partners may provide accurate information and counselling to people upon arrival. This work can help refugees, asylum-seekers, and other vulnerable individuals understand available protection mechanisms and access appropriate services and referral pathways. Partners are also expected to identify vulnerabilities and support effective referrals in coordination with relevant authorities. Legal Assistance Free and quality legal assistance is a key component of the partnership opportunity.

NGOs may provide:

- Legal information. - Legal counselling. - Legal representation. - Support during asylum procedures. - Referral to appropriate legal and protection services. Partners should be capable of delivering sustainable legal assistance while maintaining appropriate professional and safeguarding standards. Advocacy and Data Collection NGO partners may also contribute to advocacy and evidence-based improvements to asylum and protection systems.

Activities can include:

- Data collection. - Analysis of protection-related information. - Advocacy for improved legislation. - Supporting alignment of national legal and policy frameworks with international standards. These activities are intended to contribute to stronger protection systems and improved national policies. Prevention and Reduction of Statelessness Preventing and reducing statelessness is another important area under the strategy. Partners may support activities that identify and assist people affected by or at risk of statelessness. This work contributes to strengthening systems that address documentation, legal status, and access to appropriate procedures and solutions. Refugee Inclusion and Self-Reliance The strategy places a strong focus on socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance. NGO partners may provide individualized integration assistance to refugees who face barriers to inclusion. Support should respond to individual needs and be delivered in coordination with relevant authorities and other appropriate stakeholders. Durable Solutions UNHCR’s strategy aims to advance durable solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless people. Partners may contribute to activities that help individuals overcome barriers to longer-term solutions and improve access to appropriate national systems and procedures. The work should support the broader objective of strengthening sustainable outcomes for displaced and stateless populations. What Is Expected From NGO Partners? Selected organizations are expected to maintain an appropriate field presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Partners will be expected to

- Provide counselling and information services. - Deliver legal information and representation. - Engage in advocacy and data collection. - Support statelessness prevention and reduction. - Provide individualized integration support. - Coordinate activities with relevant authorities. - Maintain appropriate technical and operational capacity. Organizations should demonstrate that they can deliver services effectively within the country’s operational context.

Partnership Framework Agreement

Selected NGO partners will sign a Partnership Framework Agreement covering the duration of the 2027–2030 strategy. Annual project workplans will be developed under the framework. Implementation of annual workplans will remain subject to funding availability and performance. This means that continuation of activities in subsequent years depends on both availa