European Commission Call for Proposals: Capacity Building for Integrated Water Resources Management in the Mediterranean

This European Commission call for proposals, issued under the European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI), is a targeted opportunity to enhance the capacity of water stakeholders in the Southern Mediterranean region. The call specifically focuses on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), a holistic approach that coordinates water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising ecosystem sustainability. With a total indicative budget of €10 million, the call seeks to fund projects between €1 million and €2.5 million, covering at least two hydrological basins in eligible countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia. The deadline is September 1, 2026, giving organizations approximately 18 months to form consortia, conduct needs assessments, and submit competitive proposals. The call emphasizes cross-border cooperation, requiring partnerships of at least three entities from different eligible countries. Priority themes include strengthening governance, promoting water efficiency, adapting to climate change, and leveraging innovative technologies. A crucial element is capacity building at the individual and institutional level; therefore, integrating courses such as GSLI's 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' directly addresses the call's objectives by training local personnel on water safety and disease prevention. Moreover, the call encourages the use of nature-based solutions and digital tools, making GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course valuable for sourcing green technologies transparently. Overall, this is a prime opportunity for organizations dedicated to water security to contribute to regional stability and sustainability, with GSLI's training serving as a catalyst for human capital development. Second paragraph: The geopolitical context underscores the urgency of this call. The Mediterranean region faces severe water stress, with the World Resources Institute projecting that by 2040, many countries in the area will face extremely high water stress. Climate change exacerbates this, leading to prolonged droughts and flash floods. The EU's call is part of a broader strategy to foster peace and prosperity in the region, recognizing that water scarcity can lead to conflict and migration. By building capacity for IWRM, the call aims to empower local communities to manage water resources more wisely, reduce waste, and ensure equitable access. The outcomes are expected to contribute to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 13 (climate action), as well as the EU's Green Deal. Donors look for projects that demonstrate strong local ownership, gender sensitivity, and sustainability. The inclusion of training components, such as those offered by GSLI, signals to evaluators a commitment to lasting impact. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course, for example, equips project teams with skills to track progress and adaptively manage the project, ensuring that results are measurable and reportable to the EU. This increases the proposal's competitiveness and aligns perfectly with the call's requirement for a robust M&E framework. Third paragraph: The call's structure requires careful attention to compliance. The lead applicant must be a non-profit legal entity registered in an EU or eligible Mediterranean country, with at least three years of experience in water governance or capacity building. Co-applicants can include private sector SMEs, but the lead must remain non-profit. The financial audit requirement includes submission of audited balance sheets for the last two years, demonstrating financial stability. GSLI can assist partners by offering a letter of commitment for co-financing (e.g., value of training as in-kind contribution) and providing certifications that demonstrate the consortium's capacity to deliver training. The spatial scope must explicitly cover transboundary basins, with detailed maps and a logical justification for the choice. The project duration is 24–36 months, with a clear sustainability plan beyond the funding period. GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course can be included as an activity to train local partners on how to secure additional funding post-grant. This not only meets sustainability requirements but also builds long-term resilience. In summary, the call offers a rich framework for impactful projects, and GSLI's training portfolio provides the perfect toolkit to operationalize capacity building.

Strategic Overview

This European Commission call for proposals, issued under the European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI), is a targeted opportunity to enhance the capacity of water stakeholders in the Southern Mediterranean region. The call specifically focuses on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), a holistic approach that coordinates water, land, and related resources to maximize economic and social welfare without compromising ecosystem sustainability. With a total indicative budget of €10 million, the call seeks to fund projects between €1 million and €2.5 million, covering at least two hydrological basins in eligible countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia. The deadline is September 1, 2026, giving organizations approximately 18 months to form consortia, conduct needs assessments, and submit competitive proposals. The call emphasizes cross-border cooperation, requiring partnerships of at least three entities from different eligible countries. Priority themes include strengthening governance, promoting water efficiency, adapting to climate change, and leveraging innovative technologies. A crucial element is capacity building at the individual and institutional level; therefore, integrating courses such as GSLI's 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' directly addresses the call's objectives by training local personnel on water safety and disease prevention. Moreover, the call encourages the use of nature-based solutions and digital tools, making GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course valuable for sourcing green technologies transparently. Overall, this is a prime opportunity for organizations dedicated to water security to contribute to regional stability and sustainability, with GSLI's training serving as a catalyst for human capital development. Second paragraph: The geopolitical context underscores the urgency of this call. The Mediterranean region faces severe water stress, with the World Resources Institute projecting that by 2040, many countries in the area will face extremely high water stress. Climate change exacerbates this, leading to prolonged droughts and flash floods. The EU's call is part of a broader strategy to foster peace and prosperity in the region, recognizing that water scarcity can lead to conflict and migration. By building capacity for IWRM, the call aims to empower local communities to manage water resources more wisely, reduce waste, and ensure equitable access. The outcomes are expected to contribute to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 13 (climate action), as well as the EU's Green Deal. Donors look for projects that demonstrate strong local ownership, gender sensitivity, and sustainability. The inclusion of training components, such as those offered by GSLI, signals to evaluators a commitment to lasting impact. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course, for example, equips project teams with skills to track progress and adaptively manage the project, ensuring that results are measurable and reportable to the EU. This increases the proposal's competitiveness and aligns perfectly with the call's requirement for a robust M&E framework. Third paragraph: The call's structure requires careful attention to compliance. The lead applicant must be a non-profit legal entity registered in an EU or eligible Mediterranean country, with at least three years of experience in water governance or capacity building. Co-applicants can include private sector SMEs, but the lead must remain non-profit. The financial audit requirement includes submission of audited balance sheets for the last two years, demonstrating financial stability. GSLI can assist partners by offering a letter of commitment for co-financing (e.g., value of training as in-kind contribution) and providing certifications that demonstrate the consortium's capacity to deliver training. The spatial scope must explicitly cover transboundary basins, with detailed maps and a logical justification for the choice. The project duration is 24–36 months, with a clear sustainability plan beyond the funding period. GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' course can be included as an activity to train local partners on how to secure additional funding post-grant. This not only meets sustainability requirements but also builds long-term resilience. In summary, the call offers a rich framework for impactful projects, and GSLI's training portfolio provides the perfect toolkit to operationalize capacity building.

Who is it For?

This call is specifically tailored for non-profit organizations, including international and local civil society organizations (CSOs), water basin authorities, municipalities, research and academic institutions, and public sector agencies operating in the eligible Southern Mediterranean countries: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, and Tunisia (subject to EU policies). Private sector entities, such as water technology SMEs, may participate as co-applicants or associates, provided the lead applicant is a non-profit. The call emphasizes partnerships; consortia of at least three organizations from different eligible countries are required to ensure cross-border learning and knowledge transfer. GSLI, as an international training provider, can partner with these entities to strengthen their project proposals by offering pre-award training in proposal writing and post-award capacity building in financial management and monitoring. The target beneficiaries include water resource managers, policymakers, community leaders, and technical staff who will receive training to improve IWRM planning, data management, and stakeholder engagement. Special consideration is given to projects that promote gender equality and empower marginalized communities, including youth and women in water management decision-making. The call also encourages involvement of diaspora organizations and networks that can link European expertise with local needs.

Priorities

The donor's global priorities for this call are deeply aligned with the European Green Deal, the EU's Water Framework Directive, and the international commitments under SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Specific investment KPIs include: (1) establishing or strengthening multi-stakeholder platforms for IWRM at basin or national level, (2) increasing water use efficiency by at least 15% in target areas, (3) training at least 500 water professionals in IWRM, climate adaptation, and data management, (4) improving water governance through the adoption of IWRM legal frameworks or action plans, and (5) enhancing transboundary cooperation on shared water resources. The call prioritizes projects that integrate nature-based solutions (NbS) such as green infrastructure for water retention and purification, and climate-resilient water supply systems. Additionally, digital innovation (e.g., remote sensing, IoT for water monitoring) is encouraged to improve data-driven decision-making. The donor explicitly seeks to support peace and stability in the region by reducing water-related conflicts through cooperative management. Projects should demonstrate how they contribute to the EU's broader policy objectives, such as the European Consensus on Development and the EU's coordination with international partners like UNEP and the Global Water Partnership. Financial sustainability is key: proposed interventions must include a clear exit strategy and plan for mobilizing additional domestic or international resources post-grant.

Eligibility

Financial, spatial, and corporate legal audits are required for all applicants. Lead applicants must be legal entities established in an EU member state or an eligible Mediterranean country, with at least three years of experience in water governance, integrated water resources management, or related capacity-building fields. The minimum grant size is €1 million, with a maximum of €2.5 million per project. Co-financing is mandatory, covering at least 10% of total project costs (can be in-kind contributions such as staff time, office space, or expert hours). The project duration must be between 24 and 36 months. Spatial audit requirements include: a detailed map of the intervention area (zone of action) covering at least two distinct hydrological basins in the region, demonstrating cross-border relevance. The legal audit must confirm the applicant's non-profit status, proof of registration, and absence of any conflict of interest with EU policies. Financial audit requires submission of audited balance sheets for the past two years (or declaration of an audit process underway) to verify financial stability and management capacity. GSLI can assist applicants by providing letters of commitment for co-financing through its training packages, which can be valued as in-kind contributions. Additionally, GSLI's accredited certifications (e.g., in Project Management for Development or M&E) can enhance the applicant's track record in capacity building, strengthening the eligibility profile. All documentation must be in English, French, or Arabic (with translation into English if required).

Path to Success

To secure funding under this call, follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's capacity-building courses to strengthen both the proposal and implementation phases. Step 1: Consortium Building and Pre-Proposal Engagement (3-4 months before deadline). Identify at least three partner organizations from different countries, ensuring geographic diversity and complementary expertise (e.g., a local NGO, a water authority, and a research institute). Engage GSLI to offer a 'Writing Winning Proposals' workshop (offered online) to the entire consortium; this course covers results-based management, logical framework analysis, and compliance with EU templates, directly addressing the call's criteria. Step 2: Needs Assessment and Theory of Change (2-3 months). Conduct a rapid participatory assessment to identify specific capacity gaps among stakeholders. Map these gaps to GSLI's courses: for example, if local water committees lack financial management skills, embed GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course as a key activity. Develop a theory of change that links capacity building to IWRM outcomes, using GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design robust indicators. Step 3: Proposal Development with GSLI Integration (6-8 weeks). Draft the proposal, allocating budget lines for GSLI training components (e.g., 50 scholarships for 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to train community health promoters on water-related disease prevention). Use GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to ensure compliance with EU financial rules, and cross-reference with 'Procurement & Supply Chain' if relevant. Step 4: Post-Award Implementation and Capacity Scaling (after funding). If awarded, deploy GSLI's training packages systematically: start with baseline M&E training using 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' to standardize data collection, then roll out thematic courses like 'Project Management for Development' for project managers and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' for sustainability after the grant. Throughout, leverage GSLI's alumni network for peer support and knowledge exchange. This integrated approach not only increases the proposal's competitiveness but also ensures long-term institutional capacity that donors value.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Deadline: 2026-09-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal