Request for Applications: Partnership in support of the operational delivery of 2027 – 2030 UNHCR Strategy (Hungary)

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking NGO partners to support the implementation of its 2027–2030 strategy in Hungary, with a focus on legal assistance, protection, socio-economic inclusion, and self-reliance for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. The partnership opportunity responds to protection and inclusion challenges faced by displaced and stateless populations in Hungary. UNHCR aims to work with organizations that can provide legal support, strengthen protection systems, support vulnerable groups, and contribute to policy and operational improvements.

About the UNHCR NGO Partnership in Hungary

Hungary continues to host refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, alongside smaller numbers of asylum-seekers and stateless persons from other regions. Many displaced people face barriers to socio-economic inclusion and limited access to state support. These challenges can be particularly significant for women, children, older persons, and people with chronic medical conditions or disabilities. Refugees may also face difficulties integrating because of legislative gaps and limited access to language programmes. Roma refugees can experience additional discrimination in areas such as housing, employment, and access to public services. Access to asylum for people arriving through mixed movements remains highly restricted, while stateless persons continue to face administrative barriers to accessing rights and naturalization pathways. UNHCR 2027–2030 Strategy for Central and South-East Europe The UNHCR strategy for Central and South-East Europe seeks to address protection gaps affecting forcibly displaced and stateless people.

The strategy focuses on strengthening:

- Legal frameworks for asylum and statelessness. - Policy frameworks and operational systems. - Protection mechanisms. - Socio-economic inclusion. - Self-reliance among forcibly displaced and stateless persons. - Capacity of authorities and other relevant stakeholders. - Engagement with national and local actors. UNHCR also emphasizes advocacy for reforms that are aligned with international standards and support inclusive and protection-sensitive public services. Priority Areas for Partnership NGO partners are expected to contribute to priority areas addressing the legal, protection, and inclusion needs of affected populations.

Key areas include:

- Providing clear and accessible information to new arrivals. - Delivering free and quality legal counselling. - Providing legal representation where appropriate. - Conducting evidence-based monitoring. - Supporting advocacy for improved legislation. - Supporting the prevention and reduction of statelessness. - Providing targeted integration assistance to vulnerable groups. - Building the capacity of front-line workers. - Producing accessible information materials. - Supporting language learning where national systems are insufficient. - Supporting vocational training where appropriate. Legal Assistance and Counselling Access to legal information and assistance is an important component of the partnership opportunity. Partners are expected to have the capacity to provide clear information and free legal counselling to refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. Legal representation and other forms of legal support may also be provided as part of activities addressing protection gaps. Protection Monitoring and Advocacy Partners may support evidence-based monitoring of protection concerns and contribute to advocacy for improved legislation and policies. The partnership aims to strengthen legal and policy frameworks while encouraging reforms that are consistent with international standards. Organizations should therefore be able to collect and analyse relevant data and use evidence to support constructive policy engagement. Support for Stateless Persons Stateless persons remain an important focus of the strategy. Partners may contribute to efforts aimed at preventing and reducing statelessness and addressing administrative barriers that affect access to rights and naturalization pathways. Expertise in statelessness-related legal and policy issues is therefore relevant to the partnership. Socio-Economic Inclusion and Self-Reliance The strategy also promotes socio-economic inclusion and greater self-reliance among refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. Targeted assistance may be provided to vulnerable groups facing barriers to accessing housing, employment, education, public services, language learning, or vocational opportunities. Support for Vulnerable Groups Certain groups face additional barriers to inclusion and protection.

These include:

- Women. - Children. - Older persons. - People with chronic medical conditions. - People with disabilities. - Roma refugees. - Other vulnerable refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. Partners are expected to consider the specific needs and protection risks faced by vulnerable communities when designing and implementing activities. Expertise Expected from Partners Organizations applying for the partnership are expected to demonstrate relevant technical and operational expertise.

Important areas of expertise include:

- Hungarian asylum law. - Legal analysis. - Policy analysis. - Advocacy. - Data collection. - Protection-related work. - Engagement with relevant stakeholders. - Community relations. - Project management. Partners should also have the operational capacity to deliver activities effectively and work constructively with authorities, stakeholders, and affected communities. Capacity Building and Information Activities Partnership activities may include capacity development for front-line workers and other stakeholders involved in providing services to refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. Organizations may also produce accessible information materials to help new arrivals and affected communities understand available rights, services, and procedures. E