Understanding the Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund
Local and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in areas affected by humanitarian crises have a significant chance to get funding. This funding is for projects focused on community protection and raising awareness about preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). The Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund 2026, a joint effort by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), aims to support these grassroots efforts. The program is designed to help communities understand their rights and know how to access support and report issues safely.
The fund is open for proposals, offering grants to organizations that are creating outreach campaigns, communication materials, and systems to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse. These projects must be tailored to local needs, languages, and cultures. This funding is especially important for local humanitarian groups and civil society organizations that work directly with displaced people, refugees, and communities affected by conflict.
About the PSEA Outreach Fund
The Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund began in 2020. It was created by ICVA and UNHCR to empower local groups to lead efforts in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian settings. The fund believes that local organizations are best placed to understand their communities, communicate effectively in local languages, and create programs that truly connect with people.
The main goals of the fund are to ensure that people receiving humanitarian aid:
- Understand their rights clearly.
- Know that humanitarian aid is never dependent on personal favors.
- Have access to safe ways to report problems.
- Are aware of the support systems available to them.
- Can take part in protection efforts led by their own communities.
By supporting local leadership, the fund helps create a humanitarian response system that is more accountable, open, and driven by the community itself.
What the Fund Supports
The 2026 PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund backs various initiatives led by local groups. These projects aim to improve awareness, communication, and protection systems related to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse.
Community-Led Protection Initiatives
The fund gives priority to projects that put communities at the heart of protection efforts. It encourages organizations to involve the people affected by crises directly in planning and carrying out outreach strategies. Examples of such projects include community awareness campaigns, education programs led by peers, grassroots advocacy, communication methods that focus on survivors, and community discussion sessions.
Locally Tailored Communication Materials
Projects that receive funding are expected to develop outreach materials that are adapted to local conditions. This means using local languages, considering different literacy levels, respecting cultural backgrounds, and targeting vulnerable groups. Materials can take many forms, such as posters, radio programs, comics, community theater, videos, social media content, audio messages, and educational toolkits.
Strengthening Local Leadership in PSEA
A key aim of the fund is to build local ownership of PSEA initiatives. It supports grassroots organizations in becoming leaders in humanitarian protection systems. This work aligns with important international agreements like the Grand Bargain localization agenda, the Global Compact on Refugees, and commitments from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) on localization.
Open-Source PSEA Materials and Knowledge Sharing
All communication materials created through projects funded by this initiative will be added to a public database. This allows organizations worldwide to use and adapt effective communication tools, reducing duplication and ensuring consistent messaging in humanitarian efforts.
Impact of the PSEA Outreach Fund
Since it started, the fund has already shown clear results in many humanitarian situations around the world.
Key Achievements
The initiative has funded over 65 grassroots protection and awareness projects run by local organizations. These projects have reached more than 2 million people with important messages about protection and awareness. Furthermore, communication materials have been created in over 60 different languages, making them more accessible and inclusive for diverse communities. In total, more than 450 outreach materials have been developed and are available for others to use.
Independent Evaluation Findings
An independent review, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), confirmed the significant impact and importance of the fund. The evaluation found that organizations reported an 84% increase in community awareness regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. About 85% of participating organizations saw an increase in the reporting of SEA-related incidents after their projects were put in place. Additionally, 78% of organizations felt that their internal PSEA capacity was significantly strengthened by participating in a funded project. The evaluation also noted that 68% of respondents indicated strong community involvement in project design and implementation, which helped build trust and improve effectiveness.
Why This Fund Matters in Humanitarian Settings
Sexual exploitation and abuse remain serious issues in humanitarian contexts. Vulnerable populations often face greater risks and power imbalances in these situations. The PSEA Outreach Fund helps address these problems by supporting protection strategies that are based on local needs, increasing awareness among vulnerable groups, promoting safe reporting systems, and strengthening accountability. It also encourages approaches that center on the needs of survivors and helps build trust between aid providers and the communities they serve. Importantly, the fund goes beyond simple awareness campaigns by supporting projects that tackle the underlying structural issues and power dynamics that can lead to exploitation and abuse.
Eligibility and Who Can Apply
The 2026 Call for Proposals is mainly for local and national NGOs that are responding to humanitarian crises. Organizations applying should show they have experience working with communities, the ability to carry out outreach activities, and a good understanding of local contexts and languages. They must also be committed to protection and safeguarding principles and be able to create communication materials that fit the local culture. Projects should focus on humanitarian settings and prioritize populations that are at risk.
Application Timeline
Applications for the 2026 PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund opened on May 19, 2026. The deadline for submitting proposals is June 14, 2026, at 23:59 CET. It is important for organizations to start preparing their applications early to ensure they are submitted on time.
Available Resources for Applicants
Applicants can find guidance and application materials in several languages, including English, Arabic, and French. The fund also provides access to a database of PSEA materials, summaries of past projects, publications from ICVA on PSEA, and documents that offer guidance for applying.
Benefits of Participating in the Fund
Organizations that are selected to receive funding can gain several advantages. These include financial support for their PSEA outreach projects, increased visibility for their organization, opportunities to build their capacity, access to global PSEA resources, and the chance to join international humanitarian protection networks. They can also contribute to community-led safeguarding systems and develop opportunities for long-term partnerships.
How to Apply
Organizations interested in applying should carefully read all official guidance documents and application materials. It is recommended that applicants clearly define the community’s needs, demonstrate their engagement with the local population, and explain their plans for making the project sustainable. They should also highlight their culturally adapted approaches and include measurable outcomes and indicators for their projects. Interested organizations can apply through the provided link.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the Inter-Agency PSEA Community Outreach and Communication Fund?
The fund aims to empower local organizations to lead efforts in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) by ensuring affected communities understand their rights, know how to report issues safely, and have access to support.
Who is eligible to apply for the 2026 fund?
The fund is primarily for local and national NGOs working in humanitarian crises that have experience with community outreach and a strong understanding of local contexts and languages.
What kind of projects does the fund support?
The fund supports community-led protection initiatives, the creation of locally tailored communication materials, and projects that strengthen local leadership in PSEA.
When is the deadline to apply for the 2026 fund?
The deadline for submitting proposals for the 2026 fund is June 14, 2026, at 23:59 CET.
