About This EOI:

UNICEF Nepal is seeking grant applications to strengthen child immunization systems in Karnali Province through digital tools, GIS-based tracking, and community engagement strategies. The initiative aims to identify and reduce the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children — addressing persistent gaps in vaccination coverage despite strong national immunization programmes.

A zero-dose child is one who has not received any routine vaccine doses. Under-immunized children have started but not completed recommended immunization schedules. Both groups face elevated risks of preventable diseases. Karnali Province, Nepal's most remote and underserved province, has among the country's lowest vaccination coverage rates due to geographic isolation, limited health infrastructure, cultural barriers, and supply chain challenges.

Programme Components:

• Digital Tools for Immunization Tracking: Implement digital health tools to track immunization status of individual children. Real-time data collection, monitoring, and reporting systems. Enable health workers to identify and follow up on zero-dose and under-immunized children. Strengthen data-driven decision-making at local and provincial levels.
• GIS-Based Tracking: Geographic mapping of unvaccinated and under-immunized children. Identify geographic pockets of low coverage — hard-to-reach communities, seasonal migration areas. Enable targeted outreach based on spatial data. Map health facility catchment areas against vaccination coverage.
• Community Engagement: Deploy community ambassadors to increase vaccination awareness and demand. Engage religious leaders and community influencers to address vaccine hesitancy. Social behaviour change communication targeting caregivers. Address cultural, geographic, and informational barriers to vaccination. Target: 100% vaccination completion of referred children within six months.
  

Karnali Province Context:

Karnali is Nepal's most underserved province — remote mountain and hill districts with limited road access, sparse health infrastructure, and the country's lowest human development indicators. Districts include Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Kalikot, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Rukum West, Salyan, and Surkhet. Many communities are accessible only by foot — often days of walking from the nearest health facility. Seasonal migration, cultural practices, and vaccine misinformation contribute to low coverage. Cold chain maintenance is challenging in remote, off-grid settings.

Nepal Immunization Context:

Nepal has a strong national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) — but coverage varies significantly by geography and socioeconomic status. In 2024, Nepal conducted a nationwide measles-rubella campaign reaching 6.3+ million children, supported by Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF. Despite progress, zero-dose and under-immunized children remain concentrated in remote provinces including Karnali. The COVID-19 pandemic further widened immunization gaps, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

Who Should Apply:

• Health NGOs with immunization programme experience in Karnali or similar remote settings.
• Digital health organisations with mHealth, data collection, and GIS tools.
• Community health organisations with social behaviour change and demand creation expertise.
• Organisations experienced with UNICEF/UN partnership and UNPP applications.
• CSOs with established presence and networks in Karnali Province.
  

KEY DETAILS

• EOI: Reducing Unvaccinated Children Through Digital Tools in Karnali
  
• Organization: UNICEF Nepal
  
• DEADLINE: June 4, 2026 
  
• Posted: May 27, 2026 (TODAY — fresh!)
  
• APPLY: UN Partner Portal — https://www.unpartnerportal.org/
  

• BUDGET: NPR 26,500,000 (~USD $200,000)
  — UNICEF grant
  — Substantial for Nepal CSO
  

• LOCATION: KARNALI PROVINCE — Nepal's most underserved
  — Remote mountain/hill districts
  — Lowest vaccination coverage
  — Most challenging access
  

• TARGET: ZERO-DOSE + UNDER-IMMUNIZED CHILDREN
  — Zero-dose = never received ANY vaccine
  — Under-immunized = incomplete schedule
  — Goal: 100% vaccination completion within 6 months of referral
  

• THREE COMPONENTS:
  DIGITAL TOOLS — immunization tracking, real-time data, monitoring
  GIS-BASED TRACKING — geographic mapping of unvaccinated children
  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT — ambassadors, religious leaders, behaviour change
  
  
• FOR: NEPAL CSOs/NGOs with:
  — IMMUNIZATION programme experience
  — DIGITAL HEALTH tools capacity
  — GIS / mapping capability
  — COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT in remote settings
  — KARNALI PROVINCE presence or experience
  — UNPP registration
  

• WHY THIS IS SIGNIFICANT:
  — NPR 26.5M (~$200K) = SUBSTANTIAL Nepal CSO grant
  — UNICEF = most prestigious child health funder
  — KARNALI = highest need, most impactful
  — DIGITAL HEALTH = innovative, growing sector
  — ZERO-DOSE = global priority (Gavi, WHO, UNICEF)
  — FRESH — posted TODAY (May 27) — competitors may not have seen
  — Aligns with Nepal's EPI goals + Gavi partnership
  — Strong PORTFOLIO piece for health + digital organisations
  

• IMPORTANT NOTES:
  — Deadline - June 4
  — Apply via UN PARTNER PORTAL — must be registered
  — If not registered on UNPP, start NOW — registration takes time
  — KARNALI experience is critical — don't apply without it
  — DIGITAL TOOLS must be practical for remote/off-grid settings
  — GIS capability must account for limited connectivity
  — COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS approach = key to demand creation
  — RELIGIOUS LEADERS engagement = culturally sensitive vaccination promotion
  — COLD CHAIN awareness important — vaccines need temperature control
  — 100% completion target within 6 months = ambitious — plan realistically
  — UNICEF reporting + financial management standards apply
  — This connects to global IMMUNIZATION AGENDA 2030
  
  
• CONTACT:
  UNICEF Nepal: https://www.unicef.org/nepal/
  UN Partner Portal: https://www.unpartnerportal.org/