Call for Partnership – LNGO

Emergency preparedness and response program implemented by local front-line players in North-West and North-East Nigeria

2026

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries throughout the world. DRC is a rights-based organization and consistently works with beneficiaries as holders of rights to decide and influence decisions that affect their lives and enhance their ability to enjoy their human rights. The programming ‘lenses’ used in determining the DRC interventions are need-based and rights-based approaches. DRC is committed to international laws, principles, and standards (which constitute the cornerstone of its accountability framework).

DRC has operated in Nigeria since 2015, with the mission to respond to humanitarian emergencies, support solutions to displacement, and address the root causes of displacement through the provision of humanitarian assistance. DRC is registered with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the registration number: 1965033. DRC provides life-saving services and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations, including internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees, and host communities in the sectors Protection, Food Security/ Economic Recovery, WASH, shelters and infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP). DRC operates across several Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno, Adamawa (Northeast), Sokoto, and Zamfara (Northwest).

DRC Vision regarding Partnerships

DRC adopts a strategic approach to partnerships, grounded in strengthening local capacities and systems. Working with local actors is central to our ambition to support effective, locally anchored humanitarian responses and to promote durable solutions for populations affected by displacement. Implementing programmes with local partners not only aims to expand the reach and effectiveness of interventions but also to strengthen local capacities over the long term through a mutual exchange of expertise and a focus on sustainability.

This call contributes to DRC’s localization strategy as well as commitments within the Grand Bargain in general for the reach of emergency response and protection assistance through strong coordination with local actors. The partnership will be guided by DRC’s Global Civil Society Engagement Strategy, reflective of DRC’s overall civil society partnership/ engagement approach. The partnership will also be grounded in DRC’s values, objectives, and programme strategies, which govern DRC’s selection and approach to implementing partners.

Our commitment to working in partnership is grounded in the following principles:

• Equity: A fair, transparent, and respectful partnership that acknowledges resource imbalances while ensuring equitable treatment and mutual listening.
• Transparency: Open, regular, and honest communication from the outset, supported by clear mechanisms for information sharing, dialogue, and negotiation of roles and responsibilities.
• Results-oriented approach: Partnerships are designed to respond concretely to humanitarian needs, while strengthening the long-term capacities of local partners.
• Complementarity: Partners share common objectives and leverage their respective expertise to deliver a more effective collective response.
• Accountability: Each organization commits to act with integrity, uphold its commitments, and actively prevent any form of abuse, including within capacity strengthening processes.

Objective of this Call

In line with DRC’s global strategic priority of expanding equitable partnerships with local Non-Governmental Organizations (LNGOs), DRC seeks to identify Nigerian NGOs with an interest in future partnerships with DRC.

DRC is seeking to identify and pre-qualify legally registered humanitarian NGOs operating in Nigeria, particularly in the Northeast and Northwest regions, for potential future partnerships. This call aims to establish a pool of vetted partners for future funding opportunities and joint programming initiatives.

If selected, the partner may benefit from one or more of the following commitments from DRC:

• Capacity sharing: Access to an organizational assessment to support technical, organizational, and institutional development through training and assistance in developing internal policies.
• Facilitated access to funding: Active sharing of funding opportunities and support to resource mobilization efforts.
• Sustainability Support: Accompaniment of the partner towards increased autonomy, structuring, and long-term institutional visibility.
• Equitable and strategic partnership: Establishment of a joint governance model promoting transparency, shared responsibility, and joint decision-making.

If selected, partners commit in particular to:

• Actively participating in co-design of projects when funding opportunities arise: Contribute proactively to needs identification, activity design, and definition of implementation approaches in case of joint submissions.
• Engaging in a mutual capacity strengthening process: Be proactive in communicating capacity strengthening needs or proposing knowledge-sharing opportunities, actively participate in trainings and support provided by DRC when relevant, and facilitate knowledge transfer to DRC.
• Ensuring transparent and constructive collaboration: Maintain regular, open, and two-way communication with DRC teams, particularly regarding challenges, required adaptations, and shared achievements.
• Contributing to joint monitoring and learning: Participate in joint monitoring, needs assessments and/or activity evaluations, and openly share feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Complying with the rule of law and applicable legal frameworks: Ensure organizational compliance with laws and regulations in force in Nigeria, particularly regarding labor law, organizational governance, data protection, and human resources management.
• Placing communities at the center of interventions: Ensure active participation of affected populations, promote accountability, and integrate community accountability mechanisms into projects.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered eligible, applicants shall be able to demonstrate the following criteria:

1. Local or National Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) with Legal registration and permission to work in the States/LGAs specified in the call for application.
2. Be formally registered to work in Nigeria, specifically in the North-East and North-West.
3. Have a legal, active presence and proven capacity (evidence of previous/current activities) to access one or more of the following areas: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
4. Have a sufficiently consolidated management to independently manage human resources, financial management, programming, and logistical processes.
5. Have salaried staff with clear job descriptions and duty segregation in key positions.
6. Have well-developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide implementation of activities in place or be willing to develop some.
7. Have their own Code of Conduct, PSEA policy, and Child Protection Policy that all staff members and volunteers sign, or be willing to strengthen or develop their policies and practices in accordance with DRC standards.
8. Demonstrate ability and experience in providing emergency and post-emergency assistance in at least one of DRC’s key sectors:
   1. Protection
   1. Food Security & Economic Recovery
   1. Shelter, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), and Infrastructure
   1. Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding

 

Application Process

Organizations meeting the criteria mentioned above and wishing to apply to become a strategic partner of DRC Nigeria should complete the online application before Sunday, 31^st of May 2026. [EH1] 

Link to the Microsoft Forms: DRC NIGERIA CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – Northwest and Northeast – Fill in form

Pre-selected organizations will be invited to provide additional supporting documentation.

DRC Nigeria is under no obligation to initiate a partnership with any of the applicants submitting an EoI.

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 [EH1]To update: 3 weeks from launch date