Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund 2026: UNHCR & ICVA Open Grants for Local NGOs and CSOs Worldwide

Local and national NGOs working in humanitarian settings now have a major opportunity to secure funding for community protection and awareness initiatives through the Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund 2026. Jointly launched by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), this initiative is designed to strengthen grassroots efforts aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) in vulnerable communities.

The 2026 Call for Proposals is officially open, providing grants for organizations that are developing community-centered outreach campaigns, awareness materials, communication strategies, and systems-strengthening activities tailored to local realities, languages, and cultures.

This funding opportunity is particularly important for local humanitarian actors, grassroots organizations, and civil society groups that are directly engaged with displaced populations, refugees, conflict-affected communities, and other vulnerable groups in humanitarian crises.

About the Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund

The Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund was established in 2020 as a collaborative initiative between ICVA and UNHCR. Since its launch, the Fund has focused on empowering local organizations to lead awareness and prevention efforts against sexual exploitation and abuse within humanitarian settings.

The Fund recognizes that local organizations are often best positioned to understand community realities, communicate effectively in local languages, and design culturally appropriate interventions that genuinely resonate with affected populations.

The initiative aims to ensure that people receiving humanitarian assistance:

• Understand their rights
• Know that humanitarian aid is never conditional on favors or exchanges
• Have access to safe reporting channels
• Are aware of available support systems
• Can participate in community-led protection mechanisms

By supporting local leadership, the Fund contributes to a more accountable, transparent, and community-driven humanitarian response system.

What Does the Fund Support?

The 2026 PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund supports a wide range of locally driven initiatives that improve awareness, communication, and protection systems related to sexual exploitation and abuse prevention.

1. Community-Led Protection Initiatives

The Fund prioritizes projects that place communities at the center of protection efforts. Organizations are encouraged to involve affected populations directly in the design and implementation of outreach strategies.

Examples include:

• Community awareness campaigns
• Peer-to-peer education initiatives
• Grassroots advocacy programs
• Survivor-centered communication approaches
• Community dialogue sessions

2. Locally Tailored Communication Materials

Supported projects are expected to create outreach materials adapted to:

• Local languages
• Literacy levels
• Cultural realities
• Vulnerable population groups
• Indigenous communication systems

Materials may include:

• Posters
• Radio programs
• Comics and illustrations
• Community theatre
• Videos
• Social media campaigns
• Audio messaging
• Educational toolkits

3. Strengthening Local Leadership in PSEA

The Fund is committed to strengthening local ownership of PSEA initiatives and supporting grassroots organizations in becoming leaders within humanitarian protection systems.

This aligns with major international commitments including:

• The Grand Bargain localization agenda
• The Global Compact on Refugees
• Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) localization commitments

4. Open-Source PSEA Materials and Knowledge Sharing

All outreach materials created through funded projects become part of a publicly accessible deliverables database. This allows organizations globally to adapt and reuse effective communication tools while reducing duplication and improving consistency in humanitarian messaging.

Impact of the PSEA Outreach Fund

Since its establishment, the Fund has already demonstrated measurable results across multiple humanitarian contexts worldwide.

Key Achievements

65+ PSEA Outreach Projects Funded

The initiative has already financed more than 65 grassroots protection and awareness projects implemented by local organizations.

Over 2 Million People Reached

Fund-supported projects have collectively reached more than 2 million people with awareness messaging and protection information.

Outreach Materials Produced in 60+ Languages

Projects have successfully developed culturally adapted communication materials in more than 60 languages, significantly improving accessibility and inclusivity.

More Than 450 Outreach Materials Developed

Organizations have produced hundreds of educational and awareness materials that are now available for adaptation and reuse globally.

Independent Evaluation Findings

An independent evaluation supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed the strong impact and strategic importance of the Fund.

Major Findings Include:

84% Increase in Community Awareness

Organizations reported a dramatic increase in awareness related to sexual exploitation and abuse prevention across communities reached.

Increased Reporting Mechanisms

Approximately 85% of participating organizations observed moderate or significant increases in reporting of SEA-related incidents after project implementation.

Stronger Local Organizations

78% of organizations stated that implementing a Fund-supported project significantly strengthened their internal PSEA capacity.

Community Participation Matters

68% of respondents indicated that communities were heavily involved in project design and implementation, increasing trust and effectiveness.

Why This Fund Matters in Humanitarian Settings

Sexual exploitation and abuse remain major concerns in humanitarian contexts where vulnerable populations often face heightened risks and power imbalances.

The PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund addresses these challenges by:

• Supporting localized protection strategies
• Increasing awareness among vulnerable groups
• Promoting safe reporting systems
• Strengthening accountability
• Encouraging survivor-centered approaches
• Building trust between aid providers and communities

Importantly, the Fund moves beyond simple awareness campaigns by encouraging projects that address structural issues and power dynamics that contribute to exploitation and abuse.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

The 2026 Call for Proposals is primarily aimed at local and national NGOs responding to humanitarian crises.

Organizations applying should demonstrate:

• Community engagement experience
• Capacity to implement outreach activities
• Knowledge of local contexts and languages
• Commitment to protection and safeguarding principles
• Ability to develop culturally appropriate communication materials

Projects should focus on humanitarian settings and prioritize at-risk populations.

Application Timeline

Applications Opened:  19 May 2026

Application Deadline:  14 June 2026 at 23:59 CET

Late applications may not be considered, so organizations are encouraged to begin preparing proposals early.

Available Resources for Applicants

Applicants can access guidance and application materials in multiple languages, including:

• English
• Arabic
• French

The Fund also provides access to:

• PSEA materials database
• Project summaries from previous funding rounds
• ICVA PSEAH publications
• Application guidance documents

Benefits of Participating in the Fund

Organizations selected for funding can benefit from:

1. Financial support for PSEA outreach projects
2. Increased organizational visibility
3. Capacity strengthening opportunities
4. Access to global PSEA resources
5. Participation in international humanitarian protection networks
6. Contribution to community-led safeguarding systems
7. Opportunities for long-term partnership development

How to Apply

Interested organizations should carefully review the official guidance documents and application materials before submitting proposals.

Applicants are advised to:

1. Read all application guidance thoroughly
2. Clearly define community needs
3. Demonstrate local engagement
4. Explain sustainability plans
5. Highlight culturally adapted approaches
6. Include measurable outcomes and indicators

Apply, Click Here

For more information about the proposals, visit the official website

Final Thoughts

The Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund 2026 represents a significant opportunity for grassroots organizations and humanitarian actors to strengthen protection systems and empower vulnerable communities.

By supporting locally led initiatives, UNHCR and ICVA are reinforcing the importance of community ownership, accountability, and culturally grounded communication in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian contexts.

Organizations with innovative, community-centered outreach ideas are strongly encouraged to apply before the June 14, 2026 deadline.

Opportunity Category

Grant

Eligible Applicants

• Local NGOs
• National NGOs
• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
• Humanitarian organizations
• Community-led organizations
• Grassroots protection groups

Eligible Regions

Open to organizations operating in humanitarian settings globally.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in humanitarian or protection-related work
• Capacity to implement community outreach activities
• Understanding of safeguarding and PSEA principles
• Ability to develop localized communication materials
• Strong community engagement approach

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