Open Call for Refugee Protection and Legal Assistance (Montenegro)

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking experienced organizations in Montenegro to support the operational delivery of its 2027–2030 strategy for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The partnership will focus on strengthening protection, improving access to legal assistance, supporting asylum procedures, and promoting socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons in Montenegro.

About the UNHCR 2027–2030 Strategy in Montenegro

The UNHCR Strategy for Central and South-East Europe aims to strengthen protection and inclusion systems for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Montenegro. The strategy focuses on four main areas: - Ensuring access to territory and asylum procedures. - Improving the quality and timeliness of asylum decisions. - Aligning national legal frameworks with international standards. - Promoting socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance. Selected partners will support these objectives through legal assistance, field-level protection activities, advocacy, community engagement, and targeted integration support. Information and Protection Support Partners will help ensure that refugees and other persons of concern receive clear and accessible information when they arrive in Montenegro. Information and protection activities may include: - Information about rights and available services. - Guidance on asylum procedures. - Field-level support to persons of concern. - Assistance with navigating relevant procedures. - Protection support adapted to the needs of affected individuals. Services should be delivered in appropriate languages and formats so that people can understand and access available protection mechanisms. Legal Assistance and Representation Legal assistance is a key component of the partnership. Selected organizations may provide free and quality legal counselling to refugees, asylum-seekers, and other persons of concern.

Activities may include:

- Legal counselling. - Legal aid linked to asylum procedures. - Legal representation. - Representation at key procedural stages. - Assistance in understanding rights and procedures. - Legal assistance in statelessness cases. The aim is to help individuals effectively access asylum and protection procedures and understand their legal rights. Support for Asylum Procedures

Partners will contribute to improving access to fair and effective asylum procedures

This may involve providing legal representation at important stages of asylum procedures and supporting individuals who need assistance navigating the system. Through legal counselling and representation, partners can help strengthen access to protection and contribute to improved quality and timeliness of asylum decisions. Advocacy and Legislative Support The programme also includes advocacy and data collection aimed at strengthening Montenegro’s legal and protection frameworks.

Partner organizations may support

- Data collection. - Evidence-based advocacy. - Engagement with relevant authorities. - Efforts to improve national legislation. - Alignment of national legal frameworks with international standards. These activities are intended to strengthen the broader protection environment for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Legal Assistance for Stateless Persons UNHCR also seeks support for people affected by or at risk of statelessness. Partners may provide legal assistance in statelessness cases and help affected individuals understand and access relevant legal and administrative procedures. This work forms part of the broader effort to strengthen protection for stateless persons in Montenegro. Socio-Economic Inclusion and Self-Reliance Another major focus of the partnership is targeted, needs-based integration support for refugees. Partners may help refugees overcome legal, administrative, and other barriers to socio-economic inclusion.

Support may include:

- Legal assistance for access to the labour market. - Community engagement. - Language classes. - Vocational training. - Emergency assistance for vulnerable individuals. - Other timebound integration support based on identified needs. Where necessary, selected organizations may directly provide language training, vocational training, and emergency assistance. Targeted and Needs-Based Support Integration assistance should respond to the specific needs and circumstances of refugees. The programme emphasizes targeted support rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Partners should consider factors such as

- Age. - Gender. - Diversity. - Language needs. - Individual protection concerns. - Barriers to accessing employment and services. Services should be provided in appropriate languages and accessible formats. Community Engagement Community engagement is another important area of work for partner organizations. Organizations should have the ability to engage with refugees, stateless persons, and other affected communities and provide services that respond to their needs. Effective community engagement can support access to information, legal assistance, integration services, and other forms of protection. Who Can Apply? The partnership is intended for experienced organizations with relevant expertise and operational capacity in Montenegro. Eligible partners should have experience in areas such as: - Legal assistance. - Asylum-related legal representation. - Advocacy. - Community engagement. - Integration support. - Protection of refugees. - Support for stateless persons. Organizations should also demonstrate the capacity to deliver services in appropriate languages and formats while considering age, gender, and diversity. What Will Selected Partners Do? Selected partners will be expected to contribute to the implementation of UNHCR’s 2027–2030 strategy through a combination of protection, legal, advocacy, and integration activities.

Key responsibilities may include:

- Providing clear information upon