Principle 01
Strategic Alignment
Direct contribution to UN SDGs and AU Agenda 2063 through coordinated institutional action.
Official Notice
UNESCO REF does not charge application fees.
The partnership application process is entirely free of charge. Any request for payment is fraudulent and should be reported immediately to our Partnership Office at [email protected].
Please do not transfer funds or share financial credentials with anyone claiming to represent UNESCO REF. All official communication is conducted through verified institutional channels.
Live Document
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Updated regularly to reflect the current partnership framework and guidelines.
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Last revision — April 10, 2026
Ref. UR/IP/2026–2027
Call for Applications · 2026
Join UNESCO REF's global network of institutional partners advancing education, culture, and science through collaborative action aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and AU Agenda 2063.
Aligned With
17
UN Sustainable Development Goals
AU
Agenda 2063
RE
UNESCO Recommendations
The Partnership Vision
A shared framework for
A shared framework for
measurable global impact.
UNESCO REF invites mission-driven institutions to join a coordinated effort in education, culture, and science — delivering results at both the policy and community level.
UNESCO REF invites applications from national and international organizations committed to advancing education, culture, and science in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.
We seek mission-driven institutional partners — NGOs, corporations, foundations, and civil society organizations — capable of delivering measurable impact through strategic collaboration with UNESCO REF flagship and tier-II programmes. Partnerships are assessed on merit, institutional capacity, and demonstrable alignment with global development priorities.
Principle 02
Merit-Based Selection
Rigorous evaluation ensuring partnerships with organizations demonstrating proven impact and capacity.
Principle 03
Transparency & Accountability
Clear criteria, published timelines, and comprehensive due diligence processes.
Principle 04
Global & Local Integration
Connecting international frameworks with grassroots implementation and community impact.
Partnership Priorities
UNESCO REF
UNESCO REF
Programme Focus.
Strategic collaboration opportunities aligned with national development priorities and global sustainability goals.
Flagship Programme
SIP-ALPHA
Strategic Intervention Programme for Accelerated Learning & Productive Human Assets.
Comprehensive human capital development through integrated education, skills training, and economic empowerment.
Partnerships focusing on SIP-ALPHA contribute to transformative human capital development across multiple sectors — strengthening institutions, expanding opportunity, and anchoring long-term productivity in education and training.
Learn more about SIP-ALPHATowards the Federal Government of Nigeria's ambitions for food security and guaranteed livelihood.
Young Women in Agriculture
A national priority programme directly contributing to Nigeria's food security strategy and economic empowerment objectives through agricultural innovation, skills development, and sustainable livelihood creation.
Direct SDG Impact
01
SDG 1
No Poverty
Economic empowerment through agricultural entrepreneurship and livelihood pathways.
02
SDG 2
Zero Hunger
Food security through increased agricultural productivity and sustainable farming practices.
Partnership Opportunities
Training & Capacity Building
Financial Inclusion
Technology Transfer
Market Linkages
Infrastructure Support
Policy Advocacy
National Priority
Food
Security.
Security.
A pillar of Nigeria's economic empowerment and gender-responsive development strategy.
Programme Development Office
"Institutional partners joining UNESCO REF contribute not only to global sustainable development frameworks, but directly to Nigeria's national priorities in food security, economic empowerment, and poverty eradication."
Sustainable development requires strong partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society. UNESCO REF embodies this principle by creating a global network working together to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
UN SDG 17 · Partnerships for the Goals
Three Partnership Pathways
Application Tracks.
Select the track that best matches your organization's legal status and partnership capacity.
Track A
Non-Governmental Organizations
National & International NGOs
Opens Oct 2, 2026
- Window Oct 2 – Dec 24
- Duration 3–5 years
- Requirement 5 years min.
- Decision Feb 2027
Track B
Corporate & Donors
Corporations, Foundations & Funding Partners
Active · Apply Anytime
- Window Year-round
- Duration Flexible
- Requirement CSR / ESG
- Decision 4–6 weeks
Track C
Government
Sovereign & Sub-National Authorities
Active · Apply Anytime
- Window Year-round
- Duration Strategic
- Requirement UNESCO Conv.
- Decision 4–8 weeks
Track A · NGO Deadline
Time Remaining for NGO Applications
—
Days
—
Hours
—
Minutes
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Seconds
Deadline: December 24, 2026 · 23:59 WAT (GMT+1) · Submit to [email protected]
UNESCO REF at a Glance
By the Numbers.
Our institutional reach and impact across the continent and the global development architecture.
17
Years of Operations
17
UN SDGs Addressed
54
African Countries
38+
Active Programmes
Why Partner With Us
Partnership Benefits.
Approved partners gain access to UNESCO REF's global platform, institutional resources, and the visibility of working within a trusted multilateral framework.
Benefit 01
Global Recognition
Official UNESCO REF partner designation with visibility across international platforms, conferences, and publications.
Benefit 02
Network Access
Integration into an ecosystem of 150+ institutional partners, educators, policymakers, and innovators.
Benefit 03
Capacity Enhancement
Access to training programmes, technical resources, knowledge repositories, and institutional expertise.
Benefit 04
Impact Measurement
Joint monitoring frameworks with measurable SDG and AU Agenda 2063 contributions, reported globally.
Benefit 05
Brand Alignment
Association with UNESCO's global authority in education, science, and culture, with co-branding opportunities.
Benefit 06
Resource Mobilization
Potential access to UNESCO REF funding mechanisms, donor networks, and co-financing opportunities.
Benefit 07
Policy Influence
Platform to contribute to policy dialogue at national, regional, and international levels.
Benefit 08
SDG 17 Leadership
Recognition as an active contributor to global partnership goals and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Requirements
Eligibility at a Glance.
| Criterion | Track A · NGOs | Track B · Corporate | Track C · Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Status | CriticalMin. 5 years registration | Valid business registration | Sovereign / sub-national authority |
| Financial Accountability | Critical2 years audited statements | Not required (funding partners) | Not required (funding partners) |
| SDG Alignment | CriticalDocumented SDG evidence | CSR / ESG mandate | Policy alignment with UNESCO REF |
| Governance | RequiredBoard of Trustees / Directors | Corporate governance structure | Official authorization letter |
| Track Record | Required3–5 years project portfolio | Partnership history | National development plan |
| References | Required2 institutional references | 2 professional references | Ministerial endorsement |
The Process
Application Timeline.
Track A (NGO) follows the published window. Track B and C applications are processed on a rolling basis within 4–8 weeks.
Phase 01
Application Submission
October 2 – December 24, 2026
Download forms, complete all sections, compile supporting documents, submit to [email protected].
01
Phase 02
Acknowledgment & Initial Review
December 26, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Receipt confirmation within 5 business days. Administrative completeness check and document verification.
02
Phase 03
Due Diligence Assessment
January 11 – February 15, 2027
Partnership Committee evaluates legal documentation, SDG alignment, impact evidence, and organizational capacity.
03
Phase 04
Decision Notification
February 16 – 28, 2027
Email notification with outcome: approved, conditionally approved, pending, or declined with constructive feedback.
04
Phase 05
Partnership Formalization
March – May 2027
MoU development, implementation planning, resource commitment agreements, legal review, signing ceremony.
05
Phase 06
Official Partnership Launch
June 2027
Public announcement, partner onboarding, integration into UNESCO REF network, and programme implementation.
06
Partnership Applications
Expression of Interest.
Complete the EOI to (1) establish an institutional partnership with UNESCO REF, or (2) subscribe to a UNESCO REF programme (EFFS, School Networks, and others). Available now for Corporate / Donors, Government, Schools, and Universities. NGOs open October 2, 2026.
Two application purposes
- Institutional Partnership — for strategic collaboration, funding partnerships, and co-implementation.
- Programme Subscription — for schools, universities, or organizations joining EFFS, School Networks, or other programmes.
Print or save as PDF, complete, and email to [email protected]
Application Materials
Forms & Documents.
Begin with the Expression of Interest. Programme registration forms are for detailed enrollment after initial approval or for direct individual participants.
I · Expression of Interest
Partnership & Programme EOI
The starting point for institutional partnerships and programme subscriptions (EFFS, School Networks).
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Core application for institutional partnerships and programme subscriptions. All applicants begin here.
Download EOIPartnership Document Checklist
Complete list of required supporting documents for your track, with format specifications.
DownloadPartnership Proposal Template
Structured proposal template for presenting your partnership vision, objectives, and impact pathway.
DownloadII · Programme Registration
Programme Enrollment Forms
Detailed enrollment forms — available after EOI approval or directly for individual participants.
SIP-ALPHA Registration
Flagship programme registration for accelerated learning and productive human assets.
DownloadTIER II Programme Application
Registration for second-tier partnership programmes with specialized focus areas.
DownloadEFFS Application Form
Educational Financial Facility Scheme application for educational institutions.
DownloadYoung Women in Agriculture
National priority programme registration for agricultural empowerment initiatives.
DownloadTAP Project Registration
Targeted Acceleration Programme registration for specialized project implementation.
DownloadAll Programme Forms Package
Complete bundle of all programme registration forms, guidelines, and reference documents.
Download
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions.
Answers to the most common questions about the application process and partnership requirements.
Track A requires minimum 5 years registration. Organizations with 3–4 years of exceptional track record may submit a Track B application with detailed justification explaining organizational maturity and impact.
Applications must be submitted in English. Supporting documents in other languages must include certified English translations attached alongside original documents.
No. UNESCO REF does not charge any fees for partnership applications. Any request for payment is fraudulent and should be reported to [email protected] immediately.
Yes, only if submitted before December 10, 2026. Email updates to [email protected] with the subject line "Application Update — [Organization Name]". Updates will not be accepted after December 10, 2026.
No. Partnership establishes a collaboration framework and network access. Funding is negotiated separately based on programme-specific opportunities and resource availability.
UNESCO REF partnerships directly operationalize SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by creating multi-stakeholder collaboration frameworks that strengthen implementation capacity for all SDGs. Approved partners become part of a global network advancing sustainable development through coordinated action.
You will receive constructive feedback identifying specific eligibility gaps or areas for improvement. Organizations may reapply in the next application cycle (minimum 12-month waiting period) after addressing identified issues.
No. Select the single most appropriate track based on your organization's primary legal status. Hybrid organizations (e.g., NGO with corporate partnerships) should apply under their primary registered legal form.
Track A (NGO) applications submitted during the Oct 2 – Dec 24, 2026 window will receive decisions in February 2027. Track B (Corporate / Foundations) and Track C (Government) applications are processed within 4–8 weeks from submission on a rolling basis.
Yes. UNESCO REF welcomes applications from both national and international organizations. International applicants should demonstrate commitment to working in Nigeria or contributing to UNESCO REF's global programmes with Nigerian impact.
Get in Touch
Application Support.
UNESCO REF Partnership Office
We're here to help your application succeed.
[email protected]Office hours · Monday to Friday · 09:00 – 17:00 WAT