CFAs: Strengthening the Protection Environment for Displaced Persons and Host Communities (Burkina Faso)

Deadline: 27-Sep-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking qualified organizations to strengthen protection systems for forcibly displaced persons, people at risk of statelessness, and host communities in Burkina Faso. The partnership will support integrated protection monitoring, community-based protection, case identification and referrals, gender-based violence prevention and response, child protection, civil documentation, social cohesion, and emergency protection responses. Eligible organizations should have strong technical expertise, local presence, project management capacity, accountability mechanisms, and the ability to operate effectively in complex security environments. Applications must use the provided concept note template and include evidence of relevant local agreements and administrative authorizations.

About the UNHCR Partnership Opportunity

The UNHCR partnership opportunity aims to improve the protection environment for people affected by forced displacement, statelessness risks, and humanitarian challenges in Burkina Faso. The approach combines protection monitoring with prevention, identification, referral, and response mechanisms. It also emphasizes community participation and the use of local capacities to develop solutions that reflect the realities of affected communities. UNHCR seeks to work closely with state authorities, local governments, humanitarian organizations, and community actors to improve coordination and avoid duplication of interventions. Main Objectives of the Intervention The partnership is designed to strengthen protection systems and ensure that vulnerable people can access appropriate assistance and services.

Key objectives include:

- Improving protection data collection and analysis. - Strengthening integrated protection monitoring. - Improving community-based protection mechanisms. - Strengthening identification and referral systems. - Supporting minimum emergency protection responses when necessary. - Preventing and responding to gender-based violence. - Strengthening child protection. - Preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and abuse. - Supporting people with specific needs. - Promoting peaceful coexistence and social cohesion. - Improving access to civil documentation. - Supporting family reunification. - Strengthening national child protection systems. Who Will Benefit? The intervention is intended to strengthen protection for several groups affected by displacement, statelessness risks, and humanitarian vulnerabilities.

Target groups include:

- Forcibly displaced persons - Refugees - Asylum seekers - Stateless individuals - People at risk of statelessness - Host communities - Children at risk - Women - Persons with disabilities - Older persons - Individuals with other specific protection needs Special attention will be given to vulnerable groups to promote inclusive participation and equitable access to protection services. Integrated Protection Monitoring Protection monitoring is a central component of the proposed intervention. Organizations will contribute to the systematic collection, analysis, and documentation of protection risks affecting displaced and host populations. Regular monitoring can help identify emerging risks and support timely responses.

Expected improvements include:

- More regular protection risk analysis. - Better documentation of protection incidents and trends. - Improved identification of vulnerable individuals. - Stronger referral pathways. - Better coordination among protection actors. - Faster identification of emerging community-level risks. Community-Based Protection The intervention places strong emphasis on community-based protection. This approach recognizes affected communities as important partners in identifying protection risks and developing appropriate solutions. Organizations are expected to strengthen community mechanisms that can contribute to: - Protection monitoring. - Early warning. - Risk identification. - Community-level response. - Referral of vulnerable individuals. - Peaceful coexistence. - Social cohesion. Local capacities should be leveraged wherever possible so that protection mechanisms are appropriate to local realities and can remain sustainable over time. Protection of Women and Children Women and children facing protection risks will receive particular attention. The intervention includes measures related to: - Prevention and response to gender-based violence. - Child protection. - Identification and referral of children at risk. - Strengthening national child protection systems. - Support for family reunification. - Access to appropriate protection services. Organizations should ensure that protection mechanisms are accessible and responsive to the specific needs of women and children. Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence Gender-based violence prevention and response is one of the important areas covered by the intervention. Partners are expected to contribute to mechanisms that help identify individuals facing GBV risks and connect them with appropriate support and referral services. Protection activities should prioritize safety, confidentiality, accessibility, and respect for affected individuals. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse The project also emphasizes the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). Complaint and feedback mechanisms should be: - Safe - Accessible - Confidential - Responsive to affected communities These mechanisms should operate in accordance with zero-tolerance principles for sexual exploitation and abuse. Strong accountability systems are therefore an important part of the proposed intervention. Support for Persons With Specific Needs The intervention promotes inclusive protection services for people who may face additional barriers to accessing assistance.

Special attention will be given to:

- Persons with disabilities - Older persons - Children at risk - Women