Deadline: 17-Feb-2026
UNICEF Uganda is inviting Civil Society Organizations to submit expressions of interest to implement adolescent-focused social protection programmes across multiple districts in Uganda. The initiative supports in-school and out-of-school adolescents, including refugees, teenage mothers, and adolescents with disabilities, through education, skills development, mentorship, and access to essential services, with a total indicative budget of USD 1,350,000.
Overview
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Uganda is calling for Expressions of Interest from qualified Civil Society Organizations to implement programmes that support adolescents in their safe transition to productive adulthood.
The initiative focuses on strengthening inclusive, child-sensitive, and shock-responsive social protection systems that address poverty and multidimensional deprivation among adolescents, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
By 2030, the programme envisions a future where children and adolescents in Uganda can live free from poverty and benefit from coordinated, multi-sectoral social protection interventions.
Geographic Coverage
The programmes will be implemented across the following districts in Uganda:
Adjumani
Lamwo
Yumbe
Madi-Okollo
Nebbi
Kitgum
Oyam
Terego
Kyegegwa
Kikuube
Isingiro
Kampala
These districts include both refugee-hosting and non-refugee settings to ensure inclusive reach and equitable impact.
Core Objectives of the Programmes
The UNICEF Uganda initiative aims to:
Support adolescents to transition safely into productive adulthood
Reduce poverty and vulnerability among adolescent girls and boys
Strengthen access to education, skills training, and livelihood pathways
Enhance inclusive social protection for refugees and adolescents with disabilities
Scale up evidence-based social protection approaches
Promote holistic wellbeing through multi-sectoral service delivery
Target Groups and Beneficiaries
The programmes target both in-school and out-of-school adolescents, with a strong focus on girls and vulnerable populations.
Key beneficiary groups include:
Adolescent girls and boys
Teenage mothers
Adolescents with disabilities
Refugee adolescents and those from host communities
Out-of-school youth seeking alternative education and skills pathways
Supported Programmes and Components
Gender for Development Programme
This programme will support up to 5,100 in-school adolescent girls.
Target groups include teenage mothers and girls with disabilities.
The programme focuses on:
Supporting girls to remain in school
Ensuring school completion
Facilitating a safe and supported transition into adulthood
Dual Generational Approach Programme
This programme targets up to 3,000 out-of-school teenage mothers, including those with disabilities.
Key components include:
Reintegration into formal or non-formal education
Access to sustainable livelihood pathways
Simultaneous support to adolescents and their households
PROSPECTS Programme
The PROSPECTS programme will support up to 8,000 out-of-school adolescent girls and boys from refugee and host communities.
The programme provides:
Alternative skilling opportunities
Employability-focused training
Pathways to economic independence
Key Programme Features
All supported programmes include the following core elements:
Mentorship based on the UNICEF Peer-to-Peer Model
Tailored support for adolescents and teenage mothers
Strong linkages with parents and caretakers
Referrals to essential multi-sectoral services
Integration of complementary services alongside cash transfers
These features are designed to create a supportive and enabling environment for sustained positive outcomes.
Indicative Budget and Funding Scope
The total indicative budget for the partnership is USD 1,350,000.
The budget will support:
Programme implementation
Mentorship initiatives
Referrals to essential social services
Delivery of complementary service packages
Coordination with cash transfer programmes
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible applicants include Civil Society Organizations that meet the following criteria:
Have national reach within Uganda
Demonstrate experience in delivering social protection programmes
Have capacity to work with adolescents and vulnerable populations
Can implement multi-sectoral, community-based interventions
Organizations may apply to implement one programme or a combination of two programmes, depending on their expertise and capacity.
How the Programme Works
Step-by-step implementation approach:
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UNICEF selects qualified Civil Society Organizations through the Expression of Interest process
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Selected partners implement approved adolescent-focused programmes in designated districts
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Adolescents receive education, skills training, mentorship, and service referrals
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Parents and caretakers are engaged to support positive outcomes
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Programmes contribute evidence to strengthen and scale social protection systems
Why This Initiative Matters
This UNICEF Uganda initiative is critical because it:
Addresses adolescent poverty and vulnerability holistically
Supports girls’ education and retention in school
Creates pathways for teenage mothers to rebuild education and livelihoods
Improves employability for refugee and host community youth
Strengthens national social protection systems
Promotes inclusive development and long-term resilience
Tips for Strong Expressions of Interest
Clearly demonstrate experience in adolescent or social protection programming
Show capacity to deliver in multiple districts
Highlight experience working with refugees and adolescents with disabilities
Explain how mentorship and community engagement will be implemented
Demonstrate ability to manage multi-sectoral partnerships
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting proposals without national or district-level experience
Failing to address inclusion of vulnerable groups
Weak linkage between education, skills, and livelihood outcomes
Unclear implementation or coordination strategies
Overlooking mentorship and caretaker engagement components
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can submit an Expression of Interest?
Civil Society Organizations with national reach and experience in social protection and adolescent programming in Uganda.
Can organizations apply for more than one programme?
Yes. Organizations may apply for one programme or a combination of two programmes.
Are refugee adolescents included in the target population?
Yes. Refugee adolescents and those from host communities are a core focus, particularly under the PROSPECTS programme.
Does the programme support adolescents with disabilities?
Yes. All programmes prioritize inclusion of adolescents with disabilities.
What type of support will adolescents receive?
Support includes education opportunities, skills training, mentorship, referrals to essential services, and complementary support alongside cash transfers.
What is the total budget for the partnership?
The indicative total budget is USD 1,350,000.
Conclusion
UNICEF Uganda’s call for Expressions of Interest presents a significant opportunity for Civil Society Organizations to contribute to transformative, evidence-based social protection programmes for adolescents.
By combining education, skills development, mentorship, and inclusive service delivery, the initiative aims to create sustainable pathways for adolescents to transition safely into productive and dignified adulthood by 2030.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
