Call for EOIs: Strengthening the Protection Environment for Forcibly Displaced Persons and Host Communities (Burkina Faso)

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is inviting organizations to submit proposals for projects that strengthen the protection, inclusion, and empowerment of forcibly displaced persons, people at risk of statelessness, and host communities in Burkina Faso. The partnership focuses on protection monitoring, community empowerment, social cohesion, durable solutions, gender-based violence prevention and response, child protection, access to health and education, and stronger community protection mechanisms. Eligible organizations should demonstrate expertise in protection monitoring, mixed migration, community protection, case management, gender-based violence, and community engagement. Applicants must also have strong project and financial management systems, local presence, established relationships with authorities and communities, accountability mechanisms, resource-contribution capacity, and the ability to operate safely in complex and hard-to-reach areas.

About the UNHCR Partnership Opportunity

The UNHCR partnership opportunity aims to strengthen protection systems and promote greater inclusion and empowerment for communities affected by forced displacement and statelessness risks in Burkina Faso. The proposed interventions are built around several strategic priorities: - Enhancing the protection environment. - Empowering affected communities. - Promoting social cohesion. - Supporting peaceful coexistence. - Strengthening community leadership. - Promoting durable solutions. - Building the institutional and technical capacity of local organizations. The approach recognizes affected people and local organizations as important participants in developing and delivering protection solutions. Who Will Benefit?

The partnership is intended to support:

- Forcibly displaced persons. - People at risk of statelessness. - Refugees. - Displaced youth. - Host communities. - Children with specific protection needs. - Individuals requiring specialized protection services. - Communities and organizations led by forcibly displaced or stateless persons. Special attention will be given to people with specific needs and to ensuring that affected communities can participate meaningfully in protection and decision-making processes. Strategic Priorities of the Partnership The program is structured around several interconnected priorities. Strengthening the Protection Environment Protection monitoring and response systems will be strengthened to identify risks and connect vulnerable people with appropriate services. Community Empowerment The partnership aims to increase the ability of communities to participate in protection mechanisms and take leadership roles in addressing local challenges. Social Cohesion Activities will promote peaceful coexistence and stronger relationships between displaced populations and host communities. Durable Solutions The program will support approaches that contribute to sustainable solutions for affected people, particularly where these solutions are in the best interests of children and communities. Protection Monitoring at Entry Points and Migration Routes Protection monitoring is a key component of the partnership.

Activities will strengthen monitoring at:

- Entry points. - Migration routes. - Areas affected by mixed migration. - Other locations where people on the move may face protection risks. Improved monitoring can help identify emerging risks and ensure that people with specific needs are identified and referred safely. Identification and Referral of People at Risk The partnership will strengthen mechanisms for the early identification of individuals facing protection concerns. Organizations will support systems that enable: - Early identification of specific needs. - Safe referral to appropriate services. - Case management. - Follow-up of vulnerable individuals. - Improved access to protection and social services. Effective referral systems are important for ensuring that identified protection risks lead to appropriate responses. Community-Based Protection Community protection mechanisms will be strengthened through greater participation and local leadership. Community-based protection can help affected populations: - Identify protection risks. - Participate in decision-making. - Strengthen local response mechanisms. - Improve access to services. - Develop community-led solutions. - Promote peaceful coexistence. The program also seeks to build the capacity of organizations led by forcibly displaced or stateless persons. Empowering Local and Displaced-Led Organizations An important feature of the partnership is its focus on institutional and technical capacity building. Local organizations, including those led by forcibly displaced or stateless people, can receive support to strengthen their ability to participate in protection responses.

Capacity-building efforts may focus on:

- Institutional development. - Technical skills. - Project management. - Community engagement. - Accountability. - Protection programming. - Organizational sustainability. This approach can increase local ownership of protection interventions. Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response The partnership includes activities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV). Organizations should have relevant expertise to identify risks, support affected individuals, and strengthen referral and response systems. GBV interventions should be integrated into broader protection mechanisms so that people can access appropriate support safely and confidentially. Child Protection Child protection is another central area of the partnership.

Activities will contribute to:

- Identifying children with specific needs. - Strengthening referral mechanisms. - Improving access to protection services. - Supporting family reunification. - Promoting durable solutions. - Ensuring that solutions are in the best interests of affected children. The emphasis on children’s bes