Call for Refugee Protection and Access to Justice in North Macedonia

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking experienced partners to support the operational delivery of its 2027–2030 strategy in North Macedonia. The partnership will focus on protection, legal assistance, advocacy, and integration support for refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, and other forcibly displaced people. The initiative aims to strengthen protection systems, improve access to legal assistance, support effective asylum procedures, and promote socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance.

About the UNHCR 2027–2030 Strategy in North Macedonia

The UNHCR Strategy for Central and South-East Europe aims to strengthen protection and inclusion for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons in North Macedonia. The strategy is structured around four main outcome areas: - Ensuring access to territory and effective referral for people with vulnerabilities. - Delivering quality asylum decisions and legal assistance. - Aligning national legal frameworks with international standards. - Promoting socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance. Partners will support these objectives through legal, social, protection, advocacy, and community-based activities. Protection and Information Support Partners will help provide clear and accessible information to refugees and asylum-seekers when they arrive in North Macedonia.

Protection activities may include:

- Information about rights and available services. - Information about asylum procedures. - Protection monitoring. - Capacity-building for registration and border officials. - Monitoring detention conditions. - Monitoring reception conditions. - Support to temporary reception centres. - Identification and referral of people with vulnerabilities. These activities are intended to improve access to protection and ensure that people can understand and navigate relevant procedures. Legal Assistance and Counselling Legal assistance is a central component of the partnership. Selected organizations may provide free, accessible, and quality legal information and counselling to refugees, asylum-seekers, and other persons of concern.

Activities may include:

- Legal information. - Individual legal counselling. - Legal clinics. - Legal assistance during asylum procedures. - Capacity-building for legal professionals. - Capacity-building for government officials. - Support for access to national legal aid schemes. The objective is to help affected individuals understand their rights and obtain appropriate legal support. Support for Asylum Procedures

Partners will contribute to improving the quality and accessibility of asylum procedures

This may involve providing legal information and counselling and supporting individuals through relevant stages of the asylum process. Partners will also contribute to strengthening the capacity of legal professionals and government officials involved in protection and asylum-related work. Advocacy and Legislative Support UNHCR’s strategy also emphasizes data collection and advocacy to improve national protection systems.

Partner organizations may support

- Data collection. - Evidence-based advocacy. - Advocacy for improved legislation. - Advocacy for better reception conditions. - Engagement with the judiciary. - Support for inclusion of refugees in national legal aid schemes. - Capacity-building among relevant authorities and professionals. These activities aim to strengthen national frameworks and bring them into greater alignment with international standards. Reception and Detention Monitoring Partners may monitor the conditions in detention and reception facilities and support temporary reception centres. This work is intended to help identify protection concerns and support improvements in the treatment and conditions of refugees and asylum-seekers.

Activities may include monitoring:

- Detention conditions. - Reception conditions. - Temporary reception facilities. - Access to relevant services and protection mechanisms. Preventing and Reducing Statelessness The partnership also prioritizes efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness in North Macedonia.

Partners may provide legal assistance and support in statelessness-related cases

Activities may include:

- Legal aid in statelessness cases. - Monitoring birth registration practices. - Supporting the resolution of pending cases. - Identifying and addressing barriers related to legal status and documentation. These efforts aim to improve access to legal identity and protection for people affected by statelessness. Integration and Socio-Economic Inclusion The strategy seeks to promote socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance for refugees and stateless persons. Integration assistance will be targeted towards refugees who face barriers to inclusion.

Support may include:

- Counselling. - Referrals to relevant services. - Administrative support. - Community engagement. - Assistance in accessing existing national systems. The focus is on addressing specific barriers and helping refugees participate more effectively in social and economic life. Time-Bound Integration Assistance Where national systems have gaps, UNHCR may support partners in directly delivering targeted, time-bound assistance.

This may include:

- Language classes. - Vocational training. - Emergency support for the most vulnerable individuals. Such assistance is intended to respond to identified needs where existing national services are insufficient. Community Engagement Community engagement forms an important part of integration and protection activities. Partners may work directly with affected communities to identify needs, provide information, facilitate referrals, and connect refugees with available services. Community-based approaches can also help strengthen access to protection and promote greater inclusion within local communities. Who Can Support the Strategy? The partnership is intended for experienced organizations capable of contributing to UNH