CFAs: AMI 009 – Integration of Forcibly Displaced Persons into the National Higher and University Education System (Central African Republic)

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

UNHCR AMI 009 is a partnership opportunity in Gribingui, Central African Republic, focused on integrating forcibly displaced people into the national higher and university education system. The programme will support approximately 150–250 scholarship beneficiaries through academic assistance, student wellbeing, leadership development, professional preparation and pathways to employment and socioeconomic self-reliance.

About UNHCR AMI 009

The initiative aims to improve equitable access to higher education for refugees and other forcibly displaced populations while helping students successfully progress from education to employment and greater socioeconomic independence. The programme will provide support throughout the student journey, including: The programme primarily targets refugees, while returnees, internally displaced persons and members of host communities may also benefit where feasible. Where Will the Programme Be Implemented? The activities will be implemented in Gribingui, Central African Republic. The selected partner will need sufficient local knowledge, operational capacity and security arrangements to implement activities effectively in the target area. Who Will Benefit? The programme is expected to support approximately 150 to 250 scholarship beneficiaries. This includes approximately 25 to 75 students who will be accommodated in a boarding facility managed under the programme. Particular attention will be given to groups that can face additional barriers to higher education, including: These activities can help students build professional networks and improve their transition from education into employment. Technical and Vocational Education and Training The programme also includes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). TVET and practical skills development can provide alternative or complementary pathways to employment and self-reliance for young people who may not follow a traditional university pathway. Self-Reliance and Socioeconomic Integration A central objective of AMI 009 is to connect education with longer-term self-reliance and socioeconomic inclusion. Applications should explain how beneficiaries will be supported throughout the education cycle.

A strong pathway can cover:

Identification → Preparation → Higher Education → Academic Support → Graduation → Career Preparation → Employment/Self-Reliance

Step 3: Explain Academic Support

Clearly describe how the project will provide tutoring, remedial education, academic upgrading, examination preparation and other learning support.

Step 4: Connect Education With Employment

Explain how students will develop practical skills and professional experience through internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, volunteering, entrepreneurship and networking.

Step 5: Address Inclusion and Protection

Demonstrate how women, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups will access and benefit from the programme.

Step 6: Demonstrate Local Capacity

Provide evidence of local presence, partnerships, community relationships and knowledge of the operating environment.

Step 7: Present a Localization Strategy

International organizations and consortium applicants should clearly describe how local partners will develop their capacity and progressively assume greater responsibility. Selection Criteria Applications will be assessed using weighted criteria.

The stated assessment areas are:

Sector expertise and experience – 20% Project management – 10% Local experience and presence – 10% Cost effectiveness – 10% Access and security considerations – 10% Accountability to communities and community relations – 10% Focusing only on scholarships without addressing student retention and graduation. Ignoring the transition from education to employment. Providing weak academic support mechanisms. Failing to address women and persons with disabilities. Ignoring protection and AGD principles. Providing limited evidence of local experience. Underestimating security requirements. Failing to demonstrate community accountability. Providing unclear consortium roles. Omitting the two- to three-year capacity-transfer plan. Proposing activities without explaining their contribution to self-reliance. Failing to demonstrate cost effectiveness. Why This Programme Matters For forcibly displaced young people, access to higher education can be restricted by displacement, financial barriers, interrupted schooling, language challenges and limited professional networks. UNHCR AMI 009 takes a broader approach by connecting higher education with academic support, wellbeing, leadership, professional skills and employment pathways. The programme can therefore help displaced students move beyond educational access towards graduation, employment, self-reliance and socioeconomic integration. Its emphasis on localization also aims to strengthen national organizations and education systems through partnerships and progressive transfer of responsibilities. Key Facts at a Glance

Opportunity: UNHCR AMI 009

Primary focus: Higher education and socioeconomic integration

Main target group: Refugees and forcibly displaced people

Potential additional beneficiaries: Returnees, internally displaced persons and host communities

Expected beneficiaries: Approximately 150–250 scholarship recipients

Boarding beneficiaries: Approximately 25–75 students

Education focus: Higher and university education

Additional focus: TVET and skills development

Academic support: Tutoring, upgrading, remedial learning and examination preparation

Career support: Internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, volunteering and networking

Key skills: Digital, financial and entrepreneurial skills

Priority groups: Women, persons with disabilities and underrepresented groups

International organizations: Must collaborate with local organizations

Consortium requirement: Two- to three-year capacity-strengthening and activity-transfer