Applications are now open for the EU Support for Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection Programmes in Nigeria, aimed at enhancing poverty reduction efforts through better social safety nets and improved use of the National Social Register (NSR).
Objectives
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Strengthen social protection systems in Nigeria.
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Support and complement existing EU-funded social protection initiatives by promoting awareness and effective coordination of the National Social Register in national planning and poverty reduction strategies.
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Implement comprehensive, community-focused social safety net projects—particularly in Kebbi State—to test and demonstrate effective social protection practices.
Funding Information
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Total funding available: €12.5 million
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Lot 1: €2.5 million
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Lot 2: €10 million
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Project duration: Minimum of 30 months, maximum of 36 months
Thematic Areas
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Poverty reduction
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Social protection
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Education
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Health
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Women, girls, and youth empowerment
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Social insurance and labour
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ICT and database management
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Food and nutrition security
Priority Areas
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Strengthening the capacity of government actors at national and state levels to fully utilize the NSR.
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Empowering community actors to understand the benefits of an interoperable social register for poverty reduction and emergency response.
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Implementing targeted social safety net initiatives in climate-affected communities in Kebbi State.
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Supporting vulnerable households, including NSR beneficiaries, rights holders, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), where applicable.
Eligible Activities
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Collaborate with existing EU-funded social protection programmes to expand and raise awareness of the National Social Register (NSR).
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Promote digitalization of the NSR and payment systems to improve efficiency and transparency.
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Support implementation of the draft framework for database interoperability by engaging other ministries and agencies.
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Advocate with policymakers to mainstream the NSR as a tool for informed policy planning.
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Conduct detailed mapping of poor and vulnerable households from community-level to state-level social registers.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
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Be legally registered and non-profit-making organizations.
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Be based in an EU member state, Nigeria, or any other eligible country under EU grant rules.
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Be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the project.
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Have a minimum of four years’ experience in rural community programming in areas such as social safety nets, food security, financial inclusion, and empowerment.
How to Apply
Submit your application here
Deadline: August 11, 2025
The EU has opened applications for a programme in Nigeria aimed at enhancing poverty reduction through sustainable and innovative social protection. Objectives include strengthening Nigeria's social protection systems, supporting EU-funded initiatives by enhancing coordination of the National Social Register (NSR), and launching community-focused projects in Kebbi State. The total funding is €12.5 million across two lots, with project durations between 30 to 36 months.
Thematic areas cover poverty reduction, social protection, education, health, and empowerment of women, girls, and youth, among others. Priority areas emphasize government and community actor capacity building, targeted social safety net initiatives, and supporting vulnerable households. Eligible activities involve collaborating on EU-funded programmes, promoting digitalization of the NSR, and advocating its integration into policymaking.
Eligibility criteria for applicants require legal registration as non-profit organizations, experience in rural community programming, and being based in an EU member state, Nigeria, or another eligible country. The application deadline is August 11, 2025, and applications can be submitted online.
