UNICEF is seeking a civil-society partner to strengthen territorial networks that promote healthy food environments and physical activity among children and adolescents across 15 Colombian municipalities. The programme aims for sustainable changes through cooperation between schools, authorities and communities rather than isolated awareness campaigns. Application deadline: 27 October 2026.
Funding opportunity snapshot
- UN agency: UNICEF
- Call reference: CEF/COL/2026/036
- Geographic focus: Selected municipalities across Colombia
- Deadline: 27 October 2026
- Indicative project term: 16 November 2026–16 May 2028
- Funding information: An indicative budget entry of 1,500,000,000 is shown without a confirmed currency.
- Official application: UN Partner Portal
Purpose and expected programme activities
The call responds to the impact of dietary environments and limited physical activity on child and adolescent health. Territorial networks are expected to work with education institutions, community organisations, public agencies and young people to shape healthier settings. The proposed results include forming ten new territorial networks with monitoring plans and strengthening 20 existing networks using a relational-capacity index.
The programme identifies targets involving 400 children and adolescents participating directly in network-led initiatives and 80 educational institutions implementing a school-shop profitability model linked to healthier food environments. Local authorities are expected to strengthen governance and practical policies affecting access to healthy food, physical activity and marketing practices around children.
Sustainability and child safeguarding are central. The network partner will need to establish locally owned decision-making, accountable community feedback and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. The programme seeks institutionalised public-service changes, rather than counting the creation of a coalition as the final result.
Who is a good fit?
Best suited to qualified Colombian civil-society organisations with established municipal networks, child health or nutrition experience, public-policy engagement and the ability to manage multi-region partnerships. Applicants should verify the precise municipality assignments and legal eligibility in the official annex.
Selection criteria and competitive strengths
UNICEF scores clarity of methodology and results at 20, sector expertise at 15, sustainability at 15, cost effectiveness at 15, local presence at 10, community accountability at 10, partner contribution at 10 and safeguarding preparedness at 5. Importantly, proposals with a counterpart contribution below 12% are not evaluated under the stated criterion.
Five steps to prepare
- 1. Confirm capacity to support the listed municipalities with legitimate local partners and child safeguarding systems.
- 2. Map existing school and community networks, authorities and youth participation channels.
- 3. Build realistic indicators for functioning networks, school changes, policy adoption and participation.
- 4. Set out the required counterpart contribution of at least 12% and show documented financial capacity.
- 5. Explain how local institutions will maintain healthier environments and feedback mechanisms after support ends.
One important mistake to avoid
Do not treat an unlabelled budget figure as Colombian pesos or dollars without official confirmation. More importantly, a proposal below the stated 12% counterpart threshold fails an explicit selection condition.
Frequently asked questions
How many municipalities are involved?
The programme describes 15 target municipalities.
Is counterpart financing expected?
The assessment states that proposals below a 12% counterpart contribution will not be evaluated.
What is the main programme objective?
Sustainably improve school and community environments for healthy eating and physical activity.
Does the initiative involve schools?
Yes, including school food environments, policies and youth engagement.
What is the deadline?
27 October 2026.
Official application documents
Go to the UN Partner Portal and search for CEF/COL/2026/036. Review the full terms of reference, eligibility, financial conditions, required templates, exact deadline time and any modifications. These opportunities concern implementing partnerships, not automatic grants to applicants.
Africads readiness resources
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