The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has launched the 2026 call for proposals for the Interagency Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Community Outreach and Communication Fund. This initiative, widely known as the PSEA Outreach Fund, provides targeted financial support to local and national organisations working to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian settings. Established in 2020, the Fund supports community-led efforts that strengthen awareness, prevention, and protection systems, ensuring that affected populations are better informed, safer, and more empowered in humanitarian contexts. Purpose and Background of the PSEA Outreach Fund The PSEA Outreach Fund was created to address a critical gap in humanitarian protection systems: the need for locally driven awareness and communication initiatives that prevent sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by aid workers or individuals associated with humanitarian organisations. Since its launch, the Fund has supported over 78 grants to local and national NGOs and civil society organisations. These initiatives focus on strengthening safeguarding systems and improving community access to protection information. The Fund is designed to: Support PSEA awareness-raising activities Strengthen safeguarding and protection systems Enhance community communication and outreach Reduce risks of sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian settings Grant Types and Funding Approach The 2026 call for proposals offers two distinct funding streams under a single application process: Short-Term Grants Short-term grants support time-bound outreach and communication activities. These projects typically focus on immediate community awareness, training, and information dissemination. Multi-Year Grants Multi-year grants are designed for more strategic interventions lasting between 12 and 24 months. These require a stronger programme design that demonstrates: Long-term systems strengthening Organisational capacity development Sustainable community engagement strategies A coherent programme logic over time Applicants may apply for one or both grant types depending on their organisational capacity and project scope. Geographic Focus for 2026 The 2026 funding round prioritises humanitarian and displacement-affected contexts. Eligible countries include: Afghanistan Democratic Republic of Congo Ethiopia Haiti Lebanon Palestine Somalia South Sudan Sudan Yemen Projects must be implemented within these contexts to be considered eligible for funding. Eligibility Requirements The PSEA Outreach Fund is highly competitive and specifically targets local and national actors. Only organisations meeting strict eligibility criteria will be considered. To qualify, applicants must: Be a local or national NGO, civil society organisation, or NGO network Be legally registered with national authorities Demonstrate the ability to receive and manage international funding Have an established PSEA or safeguarding policy Maintain an annual budget of at least USD 100,000 Demonstrate prior experience in PSEA or protection-related outreach Implement projects within eligible countries Multi-year applicants are additionally required to demonstrate experience in systems strengthening and must be members of the PSEA Network. Application Process and Timeline The application process is fully online and must be completed through the official application portal. Applications are accepted in English, French, and Arabic. Key Dates Applications open: 19 May 2026 Applications close: 14 June 2026 at 23:59 CET Shortlisting completed: by 10 July 2026 Only shortlisted organisations will be contacted. Multi-year applications undergo additional in-depth review by an expert panel following initial screening. Selection Process and Evaluation The selection process is coordinated by ICVA in collaboration with an inter-agency Steering Committee. Applications are evaluated based on compliance with eligibility criteria and alignment with the Fund’s objectives. Key evaluation considerations include: Relevance and quality of proposed activities Demonstrated experience in PSEA outreach Strength of safeguarding frameworks Feasibility and impact of the proposed programme Capacity for implementation and reporting Multi-year proposals are assessed with additional emphasis on sustainability, systems change, and long-term impact. Importance of the PSEA Outreach Fund The PSEA Outreach Fund plays a vital role in strengthening humanitarian accountability systems. Sexual exploitation and abuse remain serious risks in crisis-affected settings, particularly where vulnerable populations depend on humanitarian assistance. By supporting local and national organisations, the Fund ensures that prevention efforts are context-specific, community-driven, and culturally relevant. It also strengthens trust between aid providers and affected populations. The initiative contributes to broader humanitarian protection goals by: Enhancing survivor-centred safeguarding systems Promoting transparency and accountability in aid delivery Building community awareness of rights and reporting mechanisms Strengthening local organisational capacity in protection work Conclusion The 2026 PSEA Outreach Fund represents an important opportunity for local and national organisations working in humanitarian contexts to secure funding for protection-focused outreach and safeguarding initiatives. With its emphasis on community engagement, prevention, and systems strengthening, the Fund continues to support efforts that make humanitarian environments safer and more accountable. Eligible organisations are encouraged to review the guidance carefully and submit applications before the deadline of 14 June 2026. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.