CFAs: Civil Society Strengthening for GBV Prevention and Social Norm Change (Bolivia)

Deadline: 01-Sep-2026

UN Women is offering small grants of BOB 142,680 (approximately USD 12,000) to legally registered civil society organizations in Bolivia working in radio communication. The grants support communication initiatives that prevent sexual and gender-based violence, challenge harmful social norms, and promote gender equality, human rights, and access to support services in Trinidad, Cobija, and El Alto.

About the UN Women Small Grants Programme

UN Women, in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF and with funding from the Government of Canada, is implementing the Joint Programme “Health and Sexual and Reproductive Rights and a Life Free from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for the Most Vulnerable Women and Girls (2024–2028)” in Bolivia. The programme focuses on protecting the rights of vulnerable women and girls, preventing sexual and gender-based violence, strengthening access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, and advancing gender equality. Under this call, UN Women seeks to strengthen the institutional and communication capacities of civil society organizations involved in radio communication. The initiative recognizes that radio, digital platforms, audiovisual media, and community communication channels can play an important role in changing attitudes and social norms related to violence against women and girls. What Does the Grant Support? The grant supports organizations that can develop and distribute communication content designed to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and promote positive social change. Content addressing sexual and gender-based violence. Information about prevention and available support services. Narratives that challenge gender stereotypes and discriminatory practices. Communication addressing gender, human rights, and interculturality. The programme encourages sustained communication efforts, rather than isolated activities, so that organizations can contribute to longer-term changes in attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. Why It Matters Sexual and gender-based violence is influenced not only by individual behaviour but also by social norms, beliefs, stereotypes, and practices that can normalize or tolerate violence. Community media organizations can help address these issues by: Providing accurate information on prevention and support. Challenging harmful gender stereotypes. Promoting respectful and equitable relationships. Amplifying the voices and experiences of women and girls. Increasing awareness of sexual and reproductive rights. Connecting communities with available services. Promoting narratives based on gender equality and human rights. The grant therefore combines communication capacity building with gender-based violence prevention and social norm transformation. Key Grant Details

Grant amount: BOB 142,680, approximately USD 12,000.

Project duration: Up to 6 months.

Target country: Bolivia.

Target locations: Trinidad, Cobija, and El Alto.

Primary focus: Radio communication and transformative communication.

Target issue: Prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.

Themes: Gender equality, human rights, interculturality, sexual and reproductive rights, and social norm transformation.

Applicant type: Civil society organizations.

Funding: Fixed grant amount.

Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants are civil society organizations legally registered in Bolivia that meet the requirements of the call. Be able to implement communication activities in the targeted locations. Develop activities related to preventing sexual and gender-based violence and transforming harmful social norms. Priority may be given to organizations that have not previously received funding from UN Women. Who Is Not Eligible?

Organizations may be excluded if they:

Are not legally registered in Bolivia. Do not meet the minimum three-year legal operation requirement. Are currently or were recently engaged as a programmatic partner of UN Women. Lack sufficient financial management capacity. Are under investigation in circumstances covered by the eligibility requirements. Are listed on the UN Security Council Consolidated List. Applicants should carefully review the official call documentation because additional eligibility and compliance requirements may apply. Where Will the Programme Operate? The call specifically focuses on organizations working in or serving communities in three Bolivian municipalities: Trinidad Cobija El Alto Applicants should demonstrate relevant knowledge, networks, or operational capacity in the communities they intend to reach. What Activities Can Organizations Implement? A successful project could combine several communication approaches to reach different audiences.

Potential activities include:

Radio programming Develop regular radio programmes addressing gender equality, violence prevention, sexual and reproductive rights, and available support services. Public awareness campaigns Produce sustained campaigns that challenge stereotypes and harmful beliefs surrounding violence against women and girls. Digital communication Adapt radio and campaign content for social media and other digital platforms. Community communication Use locally appropriate formats to reach communities that may have limited access to mainstream information channels. Storytelling and transformative narratives Develop stories and messages that promote positive gender norms, equality, respect, and non-violence. Information on support services Disseminate reliable information about services available to survivors and people at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. How to Develop a Strong Project Applicants should clearly connect their proposed communication activities with the objectives of the grant.

A strong proposal should explain:

What gender-based violence or harmful social norm issue the project will address. Which communities and audiences will be reached. Why radio and community communication are appropriate. What communication product