Call for Partner: Protection and Community Support for Displaced Persons

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking partners to provide community-based protection, livelihood support and economic inclusion assistance to forcibly displaced and stateless people in Ouaka, Central African Republic. The programme will combine protection referrals, civil documentation, psychosocial and legal support, income-generating activities, financial education, entrepreneurship pathways and social cohesion initiatives to help vulnerable people progress toward greater self-reliance.

About the UNHCR Partnership Opportunity

UNHCR is seeking qualified partners to implement an integrated programme supporting forcibly displaced and stateless people in Ouaka. The initiative combines community-based protection with gradual access to livelihoods and economic opportunities. The approach is designed to address immediate protection needs while helping vulnerable individuals develop the skills, resources and connections needed for longer-term self-reliance. The programme places particular emphasis on people facing heightened protection risks and recognises that the transition from humanitarian assistance to economic inclusion should be individualised and based on each person’s circumstances and capacity. Key Focus Areas The partnership opportunity covers several interconnected areas: Community-based protection and protection referrals. Legal assistance for survivors of gender-based violence. Protection referrals. Family tracing and reunification. Child protection services. Assistance related to civil documentation and legal status. The programme uses a person-centred and trauma-informed approach, particularly when working with survivors of gender-based violence and children. Confidentiality and informed consent are expected to be respected throughout the protection process. Civil Documentation and Legal Stay Access to official documentation can be essential for displaced people seeking to access services, exercise their rights and participate in local economic activities. The programme will therefore facilitate access to: Civil documentation. Legal stay arrangements. Municipal services. Relevant local authorities. Partners will coordinate with local authorities and municipal services to help beneficiaries overcome documentation and administrative barriers. Livelihoods and Income-Generating Activities The programme will gradually connect beneficiaries with low-barrier income-generating activities suited to their individual circumstances. These partnerships will help integrate assisted people into broader local development initiatives rather than keeping support separate from existing community structures. Social Cohesion The programme also seeks to strengthen relationships between displaced populations and host communities. Shared activities and support spaces can provide opportunities for interaction, cooperation and community participation. The social cohesion component aims to reduce isolation and support the inclusion of displaced and stateless people within their host communities. Why It Matters Displacement can create interconnected protection and economic challenges. Lack of documentation, limited access to services, trauma, discrimination and loss of livelihoods can make it difficult for vulnerable people to achieve self-reliance. This programme addresses these challenges through an integrated model: Importantly, beneficiaries are not expected to follow the same pathway or timeline. Support is intended to be gradual, personalised and responsive to individual needs. What Partner Organisations Will Need to Support Selected partners will be expected to contribute to activities such as: Identifying and assessing vulnerable displaced and stateless people. Providing community-based protection assistance. Referring beneficiaries to specialised services. Supporting access to civil documentation and legal stay. Facilitating psychosocial, medical and legal support. Supporting family tracing and reunification where required.

Person-centred: Assistance responds to individual circumstances.

Trauma-informed: Support recognises the effects of conflict and displacement.

Confidential: Sensitive protection information must be handled appropriately.

Consent-based: Beneficiaries should understand and consent to relevant assistance and referrals.

Inclusive: Particular attention should be given to women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Gradual: Economic inclusion should follow individual readiness rather than a predetermined schedule.

Community-based: Activities should involve local structures and strengthen links between displaced and host populations.

Frequently Asked Questions Who is the programme intended to support? The programme targets forcibly displaced and stateless people in Ouaka, Central African Republic, with priority given to individuals facing heightened protection and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Which vulnerable groups receive particular attention? Priority groups include new arrivals, survivors of gender-based violence, people affected by conflict-related trauma, women heads of household, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied or separated minors. What protection services may be provided? Services may include psychosocial support, medical and legal assistance, protection referrals, family tracing and reunification, child protection support, and assistance with civil documentation and legal stay. What livelihood activities can beneficiaries access? Potential activities include small-scale trade, food production, handicrafts and local services, alongside livelihood opportunities connected with areas such as fisheries, aquaculture, forestry and agriculture. Does every beneficiary immediately enter an entrepreneurship programme? No. The programme uses an individualised progression model. Beneficiaries are monitored and may later be referred to entrepreneurship programmes or financial services when they