Introducing The PSEA Outreach Fund Established in 2020 as a collaborative initiative between UNHCR and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), the Interagency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund is dedicated to providing swift and targeted financial assistance to NGOs in order to create and disseminate outreach and communication materials addressing Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
NGOs, especially those with limited financial resources for developing PSEA outreach and communication materials. NGOs engaged in humanitarian responses are strongly encouraged to submit applications.
NGO forums or networks can also apply, or a member of such a forum/network can apply on their behalf.
About the PSEA Fund
The primary goal of the PSEA Fund is to support the crucial efforts undertaken by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure that the individuals they assist fully understand that humanitarian aid is never contingent on any form of transaction or exchange. The fund also aims to prevent instances of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). The fund’s purpose is to address the need for effective, timely, and culturally tailored information, education, and communication materials related to PSEA. These materials should consider local cultural contexts, operational realities, and the groups most at risk. The fund also takes into account factors such as language, literacy, age, and capacity.
The fund aligns with the localization agenda by investing in community-led initiatives to ensure survivors know how and where to report SEA safely. This approach is rooted in the acknowledgment that local expertise and capacities, including those of rights holders from affected communities, play a vital role in effectively enhancing protection against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Application Focus Areas
The fund can be used to develop or adapt context-specific PSEA outreach and communication materials targeting communities. These materials include:
· Awareness-raising materials (print, video, or audio) explaining fundamental concepts such as “sexual exploitation and abuse,” the obligations of all stakeholders to prevent and address such acts, the protection of witnesses, victims, and survivors, and the affirmation that protection, assistance, and access to solutions are never contingent on sexual favors or relationships.
· Materials (print, video, or audio) providing information on secure reporting and seeking assistance in line with established complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) and referral pathways.
· Community engagement tools like outlines, facilitator guides for community dialogues, role plays, or focus group discussions that raise awareness about SEA risks and the rights of communities and crisis-affected individuals to receive protection and assistance free from sexual exploitation and abuse.
· Relevant PSEA information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, tools, and approaches suitable for the local operational and cultural context.
The grants can also be used to adapt or translate existing PSEA outreach materials that are not suitable for the communities the applicant is working with or are not available in local languages.
All materials developed through the grants will be “open source” and publicly accessible for the benefit of other humanitarian actors and communities.
Selected grantees will receive technical support during the design process.
Grant Details and Application Period
· Grants of USD $20,000 will be awarded to eligible NGO applicants.
· The program implementation timeframe is 5 months, starting from October 1, 2023.
Application Requirements
Applications should include a general budget outlining project expenses, along with a narrative project proposal containing the following elements:
· A problem statement, describing the risk factors for SEA in the operational setting where the project will be executed.
· Details of deliverables and how they will mitigate or address the identified problem(s).
· Information about the community the communication materials are intended for and how they suit that community.
· Measures to ensure community involvement and consultation in project design, implementation, and assessment, if applicable. Describe how the community was involved in drafting the proposal and how it will participate in its execution and evaluation.
- If the project methodology involves community engagement, provide a risk analysis and describe how identified risks will be mitigated.
- If the project aims to increase community awareness of SEA reporting channels, include descriptions of these channels and how they fulfill the needs of the target community in the current operational context.
Short-listed applicants will be required to provide a detailed budget and timeline for activity implementation.
All materials and tools developed by applicants must align with the IASC Six Core Principles. (For more information, visit: https://psea.interagencystandingcommittee.org/update/iasc-six-core-principles).
All communications should be conducted in English.
