African Development Bank – Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services

The African Development Bank's Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services is a landmark initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of institutions across Africa to deliver water and sanitation services that can withstand the increasing impacts of climate change. This grant call, which opens a window for proposals until September 1, 2026, is part of the AfDB's broader strategic commitment to climate adaptation and sustainable development on the continent. The initiative recognizes that the ability to provide safe water and adequate sanitation is not only a matter of infrastructure but also of strong institutional frameworks, skilled personnel, effective policies, and robust governance structures. The call specifically targets capacity building at multiple levels: national ministries, regional authorities, local utilities, and community-based organizations. It encourages projects that address the full range of institutional capacities, including human resources development, financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. The AfDB expects that successful projects will lead to lasting improvements in the performance of WASH institutions, enabling them to plan for and respond to climate risks, such as prolonged droughts, flash floods, and waterborne diseases exacerbated by extreme weather events. The initiative is grounded in the recognition that many African countries have made progress in expanding access to WASH services, but these gains are threatened by climate change and often undermined by weak institutional capacity. The funding available through this call is intended to change that dynamic by investing in people, processes, and systems. Given the breadth of the call, applicants are encouraged to be innovative in their approaches, such as using digital technologies for training, establishing partnerships with academic institutions for research and curriculum development, or integrating climate risk insurance mechanisms into utility management. The overview of this opportunity underscores its potential to catalyze transformative change in Africa's WASH sector, but it also highlights the need for careful planning and evidence-based interventions. GSLI's specialized courses offer the precise skill sets needed to navigate the complexities of this grant, from designing a theory of change to managing a multi-million dollar budget. Organizations that leverage GSLI training will be better positioned to craft competitive proposals that meet the AfDB's stringent criteria and deliver meaningful results on the ground.

This funding opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations that are actively engaged in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Africa, with a specific focus on institutional capacity building for climate resilience. Eligible entities include national and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), academic and research institutions, private sector companies, and public-private partnerships. Applicants must demonstrate a proven track record of implementing WASH projects, particularly those that incorporate climate adaptation strategies. The call prioritizes organizations that have a strong presence in underserved and climate-vulnerable regions, such as the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and other drought-prone areas. Additionally, collaborations with regional bodies like the African Union or the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) are viewed favorably. Organizations must be legally registered in an African Development Bank member country and possess the necessary operational and financial capacity to manage grants of significant scale. Experience in gender mainstreaming, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder coordination is essential. The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of institutions at various levels: from national water ministries and regulatory bodies to local utilities and community committees. Specific target groups include policy makers, water utility managers, engineers, hygiene promoters, and financial officers. The call encourages applications from organizations that can demonstrate a clear understanding of the nexus between climate change, water security, and public health. Furthermore, partnerships with local universities or training institutes are recommended to facilitate knowledge transfer and sustainability. The AfDB also expects applicants to have systems in place for effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), as well as compliance with environmental and social safeguard standards. Ultimately, the who for this opportunity are entities that can deliver scalable, measurable, and long-lasting improvements in institutional performance, thereby ensuring that climate-resilient WASH services are not just a project outcome but a permanent feature of the operational landscape.

The donor's global priorities, as outlined in the African Development Bank's Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient WASH initiative, are deeply rooted in the Bank's overarching strategic objectives and the pressing needs of the African continent. Central to these priorities is the enhancement of institutional capacity to plan, finance, deliver, and monitor water and sanitation services in the face of climate change. The AfDB emphasizes a systems-strengthening approach that moves beyond isolated projects to create lasting improvements in governance, policy, and regulation. Key investment KPIs include: (1) number of institutions with updated climate-resilient WASH policies, (2) percentage of water utilities incorporating climate risk assessments into infrastructure planning, (3) increase in budget allocations for climate adaptation in WASH at national and sub-national levels, (4) number of staff trained in climate-smart WASH management, (5) adoption of digital tools for real-time monitoring of water quality and quantity, and (6) improvements in service continuity during extreme weather events. The initiative prioritizes projects that demonstrate integration of gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that women, children, and marginalized communities benefit equitably. Additionally, the AfDB places a premium on innovation, particularly in areas such as water recycling, rainwater harvesting, low-cost sanitation technologies, and nature-based solutions for water treatment. The donor also seeks to leverage partnerships with the private sector to mobilize additional financing and expertise. Another critical priority is knowledge management and the dissemination of best practices across the continent, encouraging South-South cooperation and peer learning. The AfDB's investment themes align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The Bank also references the African Union's Agenda 2063, particularly its goal of ensuring water security for all. By focusing on institutional capacity, the AfDB aims to create an enabling environment where climate-resilient WASH services can be sustained beyond project cycles, thus maximizing the return on investment. The donor expects projects to have clear, measurable targets and to contribute to national and regional frameworks such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Finally, the AfDB prioritizes transparency and accountability, requiring robust financial management and anti-corruption measures.

Eligibility for the African Development Bank's Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Services grant is multi-faceted, encompassing financial, spatial, legal, and technical dimensions. Financially, applicants must demonstrate sound financial management systems, including audited financial statements for the past three years, a clear accounting framework, and internal controls compliant with international standards. The organization must have a banking history with the ability to receive and manage foreign currency transfers. There is no minimum annual budget specified, but the applicant should show sufficient operational capacity to handle grants typically in the range of $500,000 to $5 million. Co-financing is encouraged but not mandatory, and in-kind contributions may be considered. Spatially, the project must be implemented within an African Development Bank member country, with preference given to low-income and climate-vulnerable nations. The initiative targets all African regions, but special emphasis is placed on countries in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. Legally, the organization must be a legally registered entity in the country of operation, with a valid registration certificate, tax compliance, and no history of fraud or mismanagement. Non-profit organizations must have a non-profit status recognized by the government. For academic institutions, proof of accreditation is required. Corporate applicants must submit certificates of incorporation. Additionally, the organization must have a physical office or presence in the project area. Technically, the applicant must have a minimum of five years of experience in WASH or capacity building, with at least three projects of similar scale completed. Staff qualifications are crucial: key personnel (project manager, finance officer, M&E specialist) should have advanced degrees and relevant certifications. The proposal must outline a clear institutional capacity development plan, including training curricula, mentorship programs, and policy development. Furthermore, the applicant must have a clear understanding of AfDB's environmental and social safeguards, and must commit to implementing them. Gender equality and disability inclusion are cross-cutting eligibility criteria. The organization must also have a policy on anti-corruption and conflict of interest. Finally, eligibility extends to consortia or partnerships, with a lead applicant that meets all criteria. In such cases, a partnership agreement detailing roles, responsibilities, and budget sharing is required. The AfDB also requires that the applicant has no ongoing litigation with the donor or other international financial institutions. Adherence to these eligibility requirements is critical for a successful application.

To secure funding from the African Development Bank's Institutional Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient WASH initiative, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's specialized training courses to strengthen their proposal and implementation capacity. The path to success consists of four key steps: (1) Pre-Proposal Capacity Audit and Training Gap Analysis: Begin by conducting a rigorous internal assessment of your organization's technical, financial, and managerial capacities relative to the donor's requirements. Evaluate your institution's current abilities in climate-resilient WASH, project management, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation. Identify gaps that could weaken your proposal. For instance, if your M&E framework lacks climate indicators, this is a critical gap. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course provides targeted training to develop robust, donor-aligned M&E systems. Similarly, GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course ensures your team demonstrates fiscal accountability, which is paramount for AfDB compliance. Enroll key staff in these courses to build a strong foundation. (2) Proposal Development with GSLI-Certified Team: Assemble a project team that includes individuals who have completed relevant GSLI training, such as 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Project Management for Development'. This ensures your proposal is structured, persuasive, and meets all donor guidelines. Use GSLI's 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' course to integrate sector-specific best practices into your design. The proposal should clearly articulate how each training component addresses the donor's priorities: institutional capacity, climate resilience, gender equality, etc. For example, outline a training-of-trainers program for water utility staff covering climate risk assessment, which would be informed by GSLI's curriculum. Also, incorporate a robust M&E framework using the skills from GSLI's M&E course, with specific indicators tied to AfDB's KPIs. (3) Partnership and Local Ownership: The AfDB values partnerships with local organizations to ensure sustainability. Partner with local universities, CBOs, or government agencies, and leverage GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course to manage these collaborations efficiently. If your consortium includes organizations with limited capacity, use GSLI's training to upskill them through a cascading training model. Outline a clear capacity transfer plan, where your core team, trained by GSLI, trains local stakeholders. This demonstrates a multiplier effect and institutional sustainability. (4) Post-Award Implementation and Compliance: Upon securing funding, use GSLI's 'Grants Management' and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' courses to ensure proper grant administration and financial reporting. The courses provide tools for tracking expenditures, reporting to the donor, and mobilizing additional resources for project scaling. Additionally, enroll procurement staff in GSLI's procurement course to comply with AfDB's strict procurement guidelines. Use GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' course if your project includes water quality testing or health impact assessments. Throughout implementation, continuously apply lessons from GSLI training to adapt to challenges, such as climate variability or community resistance. Regularly update the M&E system using GSLI's frameworks to measure progress and make data-driven decisions. Ultimately, GSLI's courses serve as a strategic multiplier, enhancing your organization's credibility, technical proficiency, and compliance capacity, which significantly increases your chances of both winning the grant and achieving lasting impact.