UNVTF Small Grants Programme to Support Human Trafficking Survivors: Apply Now

Deadline: 31 January 2025

The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking (UNVTF) is now accepting applications for its Global Call for Proposals. This initiative aims to support short-term, high-impact projects that provide essential assistance to victims of human trafficking. Non-profit organizations working in this field are encouraged to apply for funding to implement direct intervention programs.

Objectives of the Programme

The UNVTF Small Grants Programme is dedicated to providing direct aid and protection to vulnerable victims of human trafficking. The key goals include:

Ensuring victims receive immediate assistance, safety, and protection.
Enhancing victims’ health and well-being while facilitating social reintegration and preventing re-trafficking.

Priority Areas and Target Groups

The funding prioritizes projects that focus on:

At-Risk Populations: Special attention is given to women, children, and underserved groups, such as persons with disabilities, LGBTQI individuals, refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), indigenous communities, older individuals, and ethnic minorities.
Victims in Crisis Situations: The fund seeks to support individuals affected by mass migration, conflicts, socio-political instability, or climate-induced displacement.
Forms of Exploitation Addressed: Projects should focus on victims experiencing sexual exploitation, forced labor, organ removal, forced begging, forced criminal activity, forced marriage, child trafficking in sports, and recruitment of children into armed groups.

Types of Projects Eligible for Funding

Priority will be given to projects that:

Facilitate early identification of trafficking victims.
Use innovative strategies and technology for victim assistance.
Promote survivor-focused financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Incorporate trauma-informed approaches to support reintegration.
Engage persons with lived experiences in shaping interventions.

Funding Details

Grants of up to USD 20,000 are available for selected projects.
The implementation period is limited to a maximum of 9 months.

Eligible Activities

Projects should focus on providing tangible support, including:

Medical assistance.
Provision of food, clothing, and other essentials.
Short-term, safe housing for victims.
Legal aid to secure legal status and access remedies.
Psychosocial counseling and trauma support.
Education and vocational training opportunities.
Assistance with family reunification and repatriation (with the victim’s full consent).

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for funding, applicants must:

Be a registered non-profit organization (NGO, CSO, CBO) operating in the country where the project will be implemented.
Have been registered on or before 1 December 2022.
Have at least two years of experience providing direct assistance to trafficking victims or other vulnerable populations.
Be registered on the UN Partner Portal (UNPP) with a valid Partner ID and complete the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) module.
Maintain an organizational bank account in the name of the entity.
Commit to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by signing the UN Partner Declaration Form.

Projects Not Eligible for Funding

The programme does not fund:

Awareness campaigns or research-only initiatives.
Scholarships, individual sponsorships, or loans.
Capital expenses for land, buildings, or vehicles.
Activities that fall within the core mandate of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), except for victim protection and assistance.
Political, religious, or discriminatory projects.

Apply Now

Organizations meeting the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply before the 31 January 2025 deadline. This is a critical opportunity to secure funding for impactful projects that provide immediate relief and long-term support to human trafficking survivors.

For more details and application guidelines, Click Here

Grants Funding for NGOs