UN Women Call for Proposals 2026: Up to USD 200,000 Grant for Civil Society Organizations Fighting Online Violence Against Women and Girls in the Western Balkans
UN Women has officially launched a major regional Call for Proposals for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the EU-funded programme focused on gender equality and ending violence against women in the Western Balkans.
This important funding opportunity seeks qualified civil society organizations to design and implement a large-scale behavioural change and awareness-raising campaign addressing online and technology-facilitated violence against women and girls across the Western Balkans region.
The initiative falls under the regional programme:
“EU4 Gender Equality – Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence Against Women in the Western Balkans”
The selected organization will receive funding ranging between USD 180,000 and USD 200,000 to carry out strategic communication, advocacy, awareness, and behavioural change initiatives aimed at combating violence against women and girls, particularly in digital spaces.
Applications must be submitted by 12 June 2026 at 12:00 CET.
About UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women worldwide.
The organization works globally to:
- End violence against women and girls
- Promote women’s economic empowerment
- Advance women’s leadership and participation
- Strengthen gender-responsive governance
- Support feminist movements and civil society
- Promote equal rights and opportunities
UN Women collaborates with governments, civil society organizations, development partners, regional institutions, and grassroots groups to address structural inequalities and create inclusive societies.
About the EU4 Gender Equality Regional Programme
The programme “EU4 Gender Equality – Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence Against Women in the Western Balkans” is funded by the European Union and implemented in partnership with UN Women.
The programme focuses on addressing critical gender equality challenges in the Western Balkans region, including:
- Violence against women and girls
- Online harassment and abuse
- Economic inequalities
- Social norms and harmful stereotypes
- Gender discrimination
- Limited access to services and support systems
The programme seeks to strengthen regional cooperation, public awareness, and institutional responses to gender-based violence.
Purpose of the Call for Proposals
UN Women is seeking a qualified Civil Society Organization (CSO) to serve as a Responsible Party responsible for implementing a regional behavioural change communication initiative.
The selected organization will develop and execute a comprehensive awareness campaign targeting violence against women and girls, with a specific focus on:
- Online violence
- Technology-facilitated abuse
- Digital harassment
- Cyber violence
- Gender-based violence in digital spaces
The initiative aims to improve awareness, shift harmful attitudes, increase knowledge of rights, and strengthen access to available support services across the Western Balkans.
Key Objectives of the Programme
The selected CSO will help achieve several major objectives.
1. Raise Awareness on Violence Against Women and Girls
The programme seeks to increase public understanding of the various forms of violence women and girls experience both offline and online.
This includes awareness around:
- Cyber harassment
- Digital stalking
- Online hate speech
- Non-consensual image sharing
- Gender-based online abuse
- Technology-enabled intimidation
2. Promote Behavioural Change
A major focus of the programme is changing harmful attitudes, stereotypes, and behaviours that contribute to violence against women and girls.
The campaign is expected to encourage:
- Respectful online behaviour
- Gender equality
- Positive social norms
- Digital safety
- Accountability
- Community engagement
3. Increase Knowledge of Rights and Support Services
The campaign should also help women and girls better understand:
- Their legal rights
- Available support systems
- Protection mechanisms
- Reporting channels
- Access to services and assistance
This is particularly important for vulnerable populations affected by online violence and discrimination.
4. Support Regional Advocacy Efforts
In addition to campaign implementation, the selected CSO will contribute to the creative communication concepts for the:
Regional Forum on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Specifically, the organization will support communication strategies for the:
- 2026 edition
- 2027 edition
This provides an opportunity for the selected organization to contribute to high-level regional advocacy and policy conversations.
Funding Amount
The budget range for the proposal is:
USD 180,000 – USD 200,000
Important notes:
- Proposals exceeding the maximum amount will not be considered.
- Applicants should ensure budgets align with programme expectations and deliverables.
This significant funding opportunity can support large-scale regional communication and advocacy activities.
Who Should Apply?
UN Women is specifically inviting:
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Organizations with experience in gender equality, women’s rights, digital safety, communications, behavioural change campaigns, advocacy, and regional programme implementation are particularly well positioned for this opportunity.
Expected Areas of Expertise
The selected organization is expected to demonstrate strong expertise in areas such as:
- Gender equality programming
- Ending violence against women
- Behavioural change communication
- Public awareness campaigns
- Advocacy and outreach
- Digital communication
- Regional programme implementation
- Human rights
- Online safety and cyber violence
- Community engagement
Experience working in the Western Balkans region may provide an added advantage.
Geographic Focus
The programme specifically targets the:
Western Balkans
Campaign activities and outreach efforts are expected to address populations across the region.
Information Session for Applicants
UN Women will organize an online information session to help interested organizations understand the proposal requirements and application process.
Information Session Details
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Zoom |
| Date | 1 June 2026 |
| Time | 12:00 CET |
Applicants can register in advance through the official registration platform provided by UN Women.
After registration, participants will receive confirmation details and instructions for joining the session.
Important Administrative Requirements
Selected organizations must:
- Accept all legal terms outlined in the Partner Agreement
- Register and undergo verification on the UN Partner Portal (UNPP)
The UNPP is an online collaboration platform used by UN agencies to manage partnerships with civil society organizations.
Organizations should prepare early for registration and verification processes if not already registered.
Proposal Submission Deadline
Deadline: 12 June 2026 at 12:00 CET
UN Women emphasizes that proposals must be received before the official deadline.
Late submissions may not be considered.
Contact Information
For additional inquiries, interested organizations may contact:
Contact Person:
Natalija Ostojic
Email:
Why This Opportunity Matters
Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls is becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of gender-based violence globally.
This UN Women initiative recognizes the urgent need for:
- Public education
- Digital safety awareness
- Behavioural transformation
- Survivor-centered support
- Regional cooperation
- Advocacy and prevention strategies
The programme presents a major opportunity for civil society organizations to shape regional conversations and strengthen protections for women and girls in digital spaces.
How to Apply
Interested organizations should carefully review all proposal documents and annexes provided by UN Women before preparing submissions.
Applicants can learn more about this grant on here
Discover more grant opportunities on OFY, click here
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