African Development Bank Grant: Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Projects in West Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a new grant opportunity focused on building capacity for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of climate adaptation projects in West Africa. This initiative, part of the AfDB's Climate Change and Green Growth Strategic Framework, aims to address a critical gap: the lack of robust M&E systems that undermine the effectiveness of adaptation interventions. The grant will fund projects that strengthen the technical skills of government officials, NGO staff, and community members in designing, implementing, and evaluating adaptation efforts. The total funding available is estimated at $10 million, with individual projects ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. The deadline for concept notes is September 15, 2026. The need for this grant is urgent. West Africa is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions, experiencing increased droughts, floods, and heatwaves. However, many adaptation projects lack clear indicators and data collection mechanisms, making it difficult to measure impact and justify further investment. By strengthening M&E capacity, the AfDB aims to improve accountability, promote learning, and attract more climate finance. The grant targets national and local governments, research institutions, civil society, and private sector entities across the 16 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plus Mauritania. This grant is distinct from typical project funding because it focuses entirely on capacity building rather than direct adaptation implementation. It supports training, technology transfer, and development of national M&E frameworks. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate experience in adult learning, climate science, and M&E methodology. The AfDB places a strong emphasis on gender equality, requiring that women constitute at least 40% of training participants. Digital innovation is also encouraged, such as using mobile apps for data collection and GIS for spatial monitoring. The grant’s structure favors consortia that combine technical expertise with local knowledge. To maximize your chances, it is essential to align your proposal with the AfDB's 'High 5s' priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The bank’s evaluation criteria include: relevance to the call’s objectives (30%), technical soundness (25%), capacity and experience (20%), sustainability (15%), and cost-effectiveness (10%). The application process is two-stage: first a concept note (max 5 pages), then a full proposal for shortlisted candidates. The grant is expected to have a duration of 2-3 years. By building partnership and leveraging GSLI training, your organization can position itself as a leading applicant.

Strategic Overview

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced a new grant opportunity focused on building capacity for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of climate adaptation projects in West Africa. This initiative, part of the AfDB's Climate Change and Green Growth Strategic Framework, aims to address a critical gap: the lack of robust M&E systems that undermine the effectiveness of adaptation interventions. The grant will fund projects that strengthen the technical skills of government officials, NGO staff, and community members in designing, implementing, and evaluating adaptation efforts. The total funding available is estimated at $10 million, with individual projects ranging from $500,000 to $2 million. The deadline for concept notes is September 15, 2026. The need for this grant is urgent. West Africa is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions, experiencing increased droughts, floods, and heatwaves. However, many adaptation projects lack clear indicators and data collection mechanisms, making it difficult to measure impact and justify further investment. By strengthening M&E capacity, the AfDB aims to improve accountability, promote learning, and attract more climate finance. The grant targets national and local governments, research institutions, civil society, and private sector entities across the 16 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plus Mauritania. This grant is distinct from typical project funding because it focuses entirely on capacity building rather than direct adaptation implementation. It supports training, technology transfer, and development of national M&E frameworks. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate experience in adult learning, climate science, and M&E methodology. The AfDB places a strong emphasis on gender equality, requiring that women constitute at least 40% of training participants. Digital innovation is also encouraged, such as using mobile apps for data collection and GIS for spatial monitoring. The grant’s structure favors consortia that combine technical expertise with local knowledge. To maximize your chances, it is essential to align your proposal with the AfDB's 'High 5s' priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The bank’s evaluation criteria include: relevance to the call’s objectives (30%), technical soundness (25%), capacity and experience (20%), sustainability (15%), and cost-effectiveness (10%). The application process is two-stage: first a concept note (max 5 pages), then a full proposal for shortlisted candidates. The grant is expected to have a duration of 2-3 years. By building partnership and leveraging GSLI training, your organization can position itself as a leading applicant.

Who is it For?

This grant is open to a diverse range of entities operating in West Africa, including national and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), research and academic institutions, and private sector entities with a proven track record in climate adaptation and M&E. Eligible countries are the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) plus Mauritania: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Mauritania. Organizations must be legally registered in at least one of these countries and have been operational for a minimum of three years. Special consideration will be given to applicants from fragile and conflict-affected states, such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and parts of Nigeria. The grant targets institutions that are involved in climate adaptation planning, implementation, or oversight, including national meteorological agencies, water resource management authorities, agricultural extension services, and coastal zone management units. Research institutions must demonstrate a capacity to translate scientific data into actionable M&E frameworks. Civil society organizations should have a strong grassroots presence and experience in participatory M&E methods. The grant also encourages consortia that combine technical expertise with local knowledge. For profit entities are eligible if they can demonstrate a public benefit component. All applicants must have a functional financial management system and be able to adhere to AfDB's procurement and fiduciary standards. Priority will be given to organizations that have not previously received AfDB direct capacity-building grants, promoting diversification of implementing partners.

Priorities

The African Development Bank's strategic priorities for this grant are deeply embedded in its 'High 5s' agenda: Light Up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. Specifically, this grant aligns with 'Improve the Quality of Life' and 'Feed Africa' by enhancing climate resilience in agriculture, water, and energy systems. The donor's investment KPIs include: (1) Number of government and local staff trained in M&E for climate adaptation (target: 2,500 professionals across West Africa), (2) Number of national M&E frameworks developed or updated to integrate climate adaptation indicators (target: at least 12 countries), (3) Percentage of adaptation projects in West Africa with functional M&E systems within two years post-training (target: 50%), (4) Improvement in data quality and timeliness from reported adaptation interventions (measured via a composite score), (5) Number of gender-sensitive indicators tracked, with a target of at least 30% of all indicators disaggregated by sex. The grant also prioritizes cross-cutting themes: climate finance readiness, digitalization of M&E systems (using mobile data collection, GIS, and remote sensing), and South-South knowledge exchange. The AfDB emphasizes alignment with national adaptation plans (NAPs) and NDCs, requiring applicants to demonstrate how their projects support country-owned priorities. The bank is also interested in fostering private sector engagement in adaptation M&E, encouraging partnerships with tech startups that offer low-cost monitoring solutions. Additionally, the grant expects a focus on results-based management (RBM) and value for money, with clear cost-benefit analysis of training programs. Environmental and social safeguards must be integrated, following AfDB's Integrated Safeguards System (ISS). Finally, the grant aims to create a network of M&E practitioners in West Africa to sustain capacity beyond the project period.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant extends to legally registered entities in West Africa, including government agencies, NGOs, CBOs, research institutions, and private sector firms. Financial eligibility requires that the applicant organization has a minimum annual operating budget of $100,000 for the past two fiscal years, verified by audited financial statements or equivalent. Organizations with a budget below this threshold may apply if they partner with a larger entity under a consortium arrangement. Spatial eligibility is limited to the 16 countries listed under 'whoFor'. The grant explicitly encourages applications from least developed countries (LDCs) and conflict-affected areas, but all applicants must demonstrate a physical presence in the region. Corporate legal audits require that the organization is registered under the laws of its home country, with a clear governance structure, board of directors or equivalent, and a registered office. Applicants must provide proof of registration, tax clearance certificates (or equivalent), and for NGOs, registration with the relevant national authority (e.g., NGO Affairs Bureau). The AfDB requires that the organization has a functional financial management system that can track project expenditures and comply with donor reporting requirements. Systems should adhere to international accounting standards (ISA or IPSAS). Additionally, the organization must have no history of fraud, corruption, or sanction by the AfDB or other major donors. A due diligence check will be conducted. For research institutions, a track record of peer-reviewed publications on climate or M&E is advantageous. Private sector entities must demonstrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and a commitment to developmental goals. All applicants must provide a letter of endorsement from a relevant national ministry (e.g., Ministry of Environment or Planning) or from the AfDB country office, confirming the project's alignment with national priorities. Finally, organizations must have the technical capacity to implement M&E training, including at least two staff members with professional certification in M&E (e.g., from an accredited university or the International Program for Development Evaluation Training).

Path to Success

To secure this grant, follow this strategic roadmap integrating GSLI training programs: Step 1 - Pre-application Preparation (Months 1-3): Assemble a multidisciplinary team with expertise in climate science, M&E, adult learning, and regional development. Ensure your organization has a valid legal status and financial audits. Enroll key staff in GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' short course to reinforce best practices in logical framework design, indicator selection, and data management. Also take the 'Project Management for Development' course to strengthen your proposal's implementation plan. Step 2 - Partnership Development (Months 2-4): Form a consortium with local government agencies, research institutions, and at least two community-based organizations. Secure a letter of endorsement from the relevant national ministry. Define clear roles and responsibilities, and ensure partners have complementary M&E capabilities. Use GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to refine your partnership narrative and articulate how each partner's M&E capacity will be enhanced. Step 3 - Proposal Design (Months 3-6): Develop a theory of change that links your capacity-building activities to measurable adaptation outcomes in West Africa. Propose a training curriculum that includes modules on climate data analysis, GIS mapping, and results-based management. Budget for equipment (tablets, software) and field visits. Integrate GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to ensure your budget is compliant with AfDB guidelines. Submit a concept note by the deadline, followed by a full proposal if shortlisted. Step 4 - Implementation Preparation (Months 6-9): Prepare detailed work plans, hiring schedules, and procurement plans. Conduct a baseline assessment of M&E capacities among target institutions. Establish a steering committee with AfDB representatives. Enroll additional staff in GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to ensure seamless financial reporting and compliance throughout the project. This roadmap ensures your proposal is technically robust, partnership-driven, and aligned with donor priorities, significantly increasing your chances of success.

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Deadline: 2026-09-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal