Assistance needed from the UN
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UNHCR is the UN organization responsible for refugees, asylum seekers, stateless, and internally displaced people. On its platform help.unhcr.org, the UN Refugee agency provides information on how to request asylum, family reunification, work permits etc. It also gives country-specific information, including options to contact UNHCR country offices for help.
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Gross and systematic human rights violations can be reported to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Complaints can be filed against one of the 193 Member States of the United Nations.
There are several complaint procedures within OHCHR. Read all information carefully before submitting a complaint to understand the differences between these procedures and know which procedure to use. It may also prove helpful to seek the support of a local human rights organization or legal advice.
Complaints against individuals, groups or companies should be addressed through national jurisdiction.
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There are only limited options for externals to present their projects to a UN body. UN Geneva does not accept any project proposals. However, some of the UN funds, programmes and agencies may do for specific purposes.
Projects can be funded or supported through some of the following initiatives. These serve as examples and are not a complete list:
- UN Democracy Fund (civil society, civic engagement, human rights,…)
- Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (environment)
- UNICEF Venture Fund (tech solutions for children’s wellbeing)
- UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women and Girls
- The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
- The United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
The UN Partner Portal, an initiative of several UN entities, actively offers partnership opportunities between the UN and civil society organisations.
Small businesses in developing countries may receive support through the International Trade Center which helps market and scale business enterprises.
In addition, several UN entities go into partnerships with public or private partners as well as civil society organizations. Further information can be found on their respective websites.
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During emergencies, the UN system, together with partner organizations, starts its humanitarian response.
At any time, agencies like WFP provide food or cash transfers for people not being able to meet their daily needs.
However, it is not possible to walk into a UN office and ask for help. The assistance rendered is usually part of a larger response mechanism between the UN, governments and civil society organizations.