The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster invites interested and eligible applicants to apply for a Call for Proposals (“CFP”) for the grant project: Strengthening national humanitarian mine action capacity through the implementation of Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance Activities (VA), Emergency Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and First Aid Training in the northern regions of Mali.

The ongoing conflict in Mali has increased and diversified the devastating impact that explosive devices as well as small arms and light weapons (SALW) have on the lives of civilians and the stability of the country at large. The national capacity to respond to the explosive threat is limited. In its Country Programme Strategy, UNMAS Mali has renewed its commitment to building sustainable national capacity, at the institutional level, through support to the establishment of a national mine action authority, as well as at the technical and operational levels, through support to NNGOs implementing humanitarian mine action activities.

With this call for proposals, UNMAS Mali is seeking partners who share its commitment for building a sustainable national capacity. Specifically, this CFP seeks to fund partnerships between highly experienced international and motivated national humanitarian NGOs, who will work together with the shared aim of developing and deploying nationally owned and managed humanitarian mine action teams, to undertake victim assistance (VA) and emergency risk education (EORE) activities.

Impact: The population in Mali is safer and more secure as a result of the reduced threat posed by explosive ordnance.

Outcome: National authorities have the capacity to lead and manage the mine action response, which is implemented through civil society.

Outcome Indicator: Increase the number of national NGOs with mine action capacity who are independently deployed.

Funding Information

• The maximum budget available for the two-year project is $1,000,000. INGOs may co-fund the project in kind or through the provision of additional funding. Any co-fund or in kind contribution should be clearly indicated in the proposal and budget and should be reported on accordingly.
• The proposed grant will be for a period of 24 months, with a 12-month allocation of funding initially.

Target Beneficiaries

• The primary beneficiaries of this project shall be National Non-Governmental Organizations(s) (NNGOs) that will benefit from technical capacity reinforcement and organisational strengthening for the implementation of VA and Emergency EORE activities. In turn, the Malian NNGO(s) will deliver benefits to the communities impacted by the threat of explosive ordnance, SALW and conflict-related risks, with a focus on explosive ordnance (EO) and small arms and light weapons (SALW)] victims of these threats.
• UNOPS is looking to support at least one NNGO. As they are aware that your organization may wish to work with more, applications may be submitted for an INGO to work developmentally with a maximum of two NNGO partners.

Project Locations

The projects shall be implemented in the northern regions of Mali. While the choice of region is left to the applicant’s discretion, the following areas are strongly recommended for prioritization:

• Gao (road axis Gao-Ansongo-Ménaka, communes of Ansongo, Tin-Hama, N’Tillit, Bourem, Anchawardi, Bourra, Ouattagouna)
• Menaka
• Toumbouctou (communes of Niafounké, Gourma – Rharous, Gossi, Bambara Moudé and Serere).
• Toudeni
• Kidal (communes of Kidal and Tessalit)

Eligibility Criteria

• Grant applications shall only be accepted from International not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) that are registered to operate in Mali. No governmental agencies, departments, or ministries are eligible.
• Lead INGO: Must demonstrate 5 years of experience related to the capacity-building of national institutions, organisations or authorities involved directly in humanitarian context; experienced in case management and using an inclusive approach to capacity building. This experience can be drawn from global activities and does NOT have to be specific to Mali nor in humanitarian mine action specifically.
• Sub-grantee / NNGO: if the NNGO has any relevant experience in capacity-building relevant to the activities specified in this CFP, detail (along with time period) of activities should be presented.
• Applicant organizations must possess experience in implementing successful victim assistance and case management related activities and community outreach/sensitization campaigns in Mali and/or worldwide.

For more information, visit UNOPS.