RFAs: Youth-led Audio Mental Health Challenge and WASH in Schools (Mongolia)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is inviting civil society organizations to express their interest in partnering on a youth-driven initiative that combines mental health promotion and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) engagement in Mongolian schools. The Youth-led Audio Mental Health Challenge and WASH in Schools initiative aims to use audio and music to support youth mental health and well-being while strengthening student participation in school WASH activities. The programme will focus on adapting mental health audio content for Mongolian youth, reducing stigma surrounding mental health, increasing access to evidence-based support, and empowering young people to create and share relevant audio resources.

About the Youth-led Audio Mental Health Challenge

The initiative is spearheaded by UNICEF’s Global Multisectoral Mental Health Leadership Team and builds on the global rollout of the “On My Mind” podcast. The programme seeks to localize and adapt existing mental health audio resources so they are culturally relevant and accessible to young people in Mongolia. Through a youth-driven approach, participants will have opportunities to contribute to the development and dissemination of audio content addressing mental health and well-being. Main Objectives of the Initiative

The programme aims to:

- Support youth mental health and well-being. - Reduce stigma surrounding mental health. - Increase access to evidence-based mental health support. - Empower young people to co-create audio content. - Encourage youth-led dissemination of mental health resources. - Strengthen WASH engagement in Mongolian schools. - Revitalize school WASH clubs. - Promote participatory monitoring of WASH activities. - Improve hygiene practices among students. Youth Participation and Co-Creation Young people are at the centre of the initiative. The mental health component focuses on young people aged 16 to 25, providing opportunities for them to participate in the creation and dissemination of audio resources. Youth involvement can help ensure that mental health content reflects the experiences, concerns, language, and cultural context of young people in Mongolia. The initiative therefore goes beyond simply delivering information by encouraging young people to become active contributors to mental health promotion. Localizing Mental Health Audio Content A key component of the programme is the adaptation of mental health audio resources for the Mongolian context. The initiative builds on the global “On My Mind” podcast and seeks to make relevant content more accessible and culturally appropriate for Mongolian youth. Localization can help ensure that audio resources are understandable, relatable, and suitable for the communities they are intended to reach. Reducing Mental Health Stigma Mental health stigma can prevent young people from seeking information, support, or appropriate services. The programme seeks to address stigma by creating youth-friendly content and encouraging open conversations around mental health and well-being. Youth participation in content development can also help make these conversations more relatable and accessible to their peers. Increasing Access to Evidence-Based Support The initiative aims to increase access to evidence-based mental health information and support. Audio content provides an accessible format that can help reach young people through familiar and engaging communication channels. The programme seeks to strengthen the availability of appropriate mental health resources while encouraging young people to participate in their development and dissemination. Youth-led Audio Content Young people will be encouraged to co-create and disseminate impactful audio content. This youth-driven approach can support greater ownership of mental health messaging and help ensure that content reflects the perspectives of the intended audience. Organizations participating in the initiative should be prepared to support meaningful youth engagement throughout the process. WASH in Schools Component Alongside mental health activities, the programme integrates youth engagement in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities in schools. The WASH component aims to strengthen student participation and encourage practical improvements in school hygiene. The initiative will support efforts to revitalize WASH clubs and promote greater involvement of students in monitoring and improving WASH conditions. Revitalizing School WASH Clubs School WASH clubs can provide a platform for students to participate in hygiene promotion and school-level WASH activities. The programme aims to revitalize these clubs and strengthen their role in engaging students in WASH-related activities. This approach can help create greater student ownership of hygiene initiatives within schools.

Participatory WASH Monitoring

The initiative promotes participatory monitoring, giving students an opportunity to become more actively involved in assessing and improving WASH practices in their schools. Student participation can help identify challenges, encourage accountability, and support practical improvements in school hygiene. Improving Hygiene Practices The WASH component also aims to promote improved hygiene practices among students. Youth engagement, school WASH clubs, and participatory monitoring can help create an environment where students are active participants in maintaining healthier and more hygienic school settings. Who Can Apply? The opportunity is intended for civil society organizations capable of contributing to the implementation of the initiative in Mongolia. Eligible organizations should demonstrate relevant experience and operational capacity in the programme’s key areas. Organizations should have an operational presence in Mongolia, including remote areas, to effectively reach target communities and schools. Required Organizational Experience Organizations should demonstrate experienc