RFPs: Enhancing Access to Basic and Higher Education for Displaced Learners (Sudan)

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

UNHCR is inviting organizations to submit proposals to improve access to basic education, higher education, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, and vulnerable host-community children and youth in Sudan. The initiative prioritizes equitable, protective, gender-responsive, and inclusive education, while strengthening national education systems, supporting local organizations, improving school infrastructure, and expanding pathways to higher education, skills development, and employment.

UNHCR Sudan Education Programme: Overview

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a call for expressions of interest from organizations that can support education services for displaced and vulnerable populations in Sudan. The opportunity is aligned with the UNHCR Multi-Year Strategy 2027–2029 and the UNHCR Global Education Strategy. The programme takes a systems-strengthening approach. Rather than creating separate education systems for displaced populations, it seeks to improve their participation in national education systems while strengthening the capacity of government institutions, schools, communities, and local partners. The programme covers the full education continuum, from basic education to higher education and TVET. What Is the UNHCR Sudan Education Programme? The initiative aims to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, and vulnerable members of host communities can access safe, inclusive, and quality education. Such networks can continue supporting students beyond individual education interventions. Monitoring Student Progress and Well-Being Organizations working in higher education and TVET should establish mechanisms to monitor students’: Academic progress

Participation

Retention Completion Well-being Barriers to education Coordination with host institutions is important for identifying and addressing problems before students drop out. Localization and Capacity Strengthening A major feature of the UNHCR approach is localization. UNHCR Sudan encourages partnerships that strengthen the capacity of: National NGOs Local organizations Community-based organizations State-level education authorities Locality-level education authorities Ministries of Education Preference may be given to proposals that demonstrate how local organizations will gain sustainable technical, operational, and institutional capacity.

Partnerships with Government and Other Stakeholders

Applicants are encouraged to build partnerships with relevant stakeholders. For host communities, inclusive education investments can also strengthen local education infrastructure and services. The programme’s focus on national systems is particularly important because sustainable refugee education requires cooperation between humanitarian organizations, government institutions, schools, communities, universities, and other stakeholders. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid proposals that:

Focus exclusively on short-term education activities. Do not align with national education systems. Ignore refugees’ documentation and recognition barriers. Fail to include vulnerable host-community learners where relevant. Provide insufficient child-protection safeguards. Ignore gender-responsive programming. Lack meaningful community engagement. Do not demonstrate coordination with education authorities. Provide no sustainability strategy. Treat higher education as separate from employability and career development. Fail to demonstrate local organizational capacity. Lack measurable education outcomes. Tips for Applicants

A strong proposal should:

Start with a clearly defined education problem. Identify the affected population and geographic focus. Explain the barriers preventing education access or completion. Connect proposed activities to measurable outcomes. Demonstrate government and community engagement. Include safeguarding, gender, WASH, health, and psychosocial considerations where relevant. Show how local organizations will gain capacity. Explain how the project supports national education systems. Include a realistic sustainability and transition approach. Build pathways from education to higher education, TVET, skills, and employment where appropriate. Key Facts at a Glance

Organization: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Country: Sudan

Opportunity type: Call for Expression of Interest

Primary beneficiaries: Refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, and vulnerable host-community children and youth

Education levels: Basic education, higher education, and TVET

Strategic alignment: UNHCR Multi-Year Strategy 2027–2029 and Global Education Strategy

Key priorities: Access, inclusion, protection, quality, retention, completion, and systems strengthening

Basic education: Enrolment, attendance, retention, completion, infrastructure, materials, teacher development

Higher education: Scholarships, admission, counselling, mentoring, student support

Localization: Strong emphasis on national and local partners

Government engagement: Ministries of Education and state/locality education authorities

Long-term objective: Sustainable inclusion of displaced populations within national education systems

Frequently Asked Questions What is the UNHCR Sudan Education Programme? It is an education-focused initiative seeking organizations to improve access to safe, inclusive, and equitable education for refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, and vulnerable host-community children and youth in Sudan. Which education levels are covered? The programme covers basic education, higher education, and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). It supports learners from school-age education through university, scholarships, skills development, and employability pathways. Who are the main beneficiaries? The programme focuses on refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, and vulnerable children and youth from host communities