EU Global Health: Strengthening Health Systems Capacity in Low-Income Countries

The European Commission's call for proposals under the EU Global Health initiative is a pivotal opportunity for organizations committed to strengthening health systems in low-income countries. With a deadline of August 1, 2026, the call aims to fund projects that enhance the capacity of health systems to deliver quality, accessible, and equitable care. The total indicative budget is €50 million, with individual grants ranging from €1 million to €5 million. The call is part of the EU's broader commitment to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen global health security, as outlined in the EU Global Health Strategy (2022). Key priorities include strengthening primary health care (PHC), improving health workforce capacity, promoting digital health solutions, and ensuring resilient supply chains. The call also emphasizes sustainability, gender equality, and climate resilience. Eligible applicants include international and local NGOs, public authorities, and research institutions, preferably in consortia. The EU expects proposals to demonstrate a clear theory of change, robust M&E frameworks, and sound financial management. The call encourages co-financing and in-kind contributions. For organizations new to EU funding, the call represents a chance to build capacity and credibility. GSLI offers targeted training programs that can help applicants design strong proposals and implement projects effectively. The call is competitive, and only proposals that clearly align with EU priorities and demonstrate organizational capacity will succeed. Strategic preparation is essential, including partnership development, capacity assessment, and proposal writing. GSLI's courses in Project Management for Development, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Writing Winning Proposals are particularly relevant. The overview underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates technical expertise, local engagement, and donor compliance. The call is not just an opportunity for funding but a chance to contribute to global health equity and resilience. Applicants should view it as a long-term investment in their organization's growth and impact. This call is specifically designed to address the systemic weaknesses in health systems that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income countries face critical gaps in infrastructure, workforce, financing, and governance, which the EU aims to fill through targeted investments. The call focuses on building resilient health systems that can withstand not only pandemics but also other shocks like climate change and conflict. The EU expects projects to be context-specific and to involve local stakeholders in design and implementation. The call also incorporates lessons from previous EU health programs, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and exit strategies. Organizations are encouraged to build on existing initiatives and avoid duplicating efforts. The call also requires alignment with national health policies and strategies. The EU will prioritize proposals that demonstrate strong partnerships with local governments and community-based organizations. Innovations in digital health and community engagement are particularly encouraged. The basic requirement for any proposal is a thorough problem analysis and a clear logic model linking inputs to outcomes. The call also emphasizes the need for accountability mechanisms, including grievance redressal for beneficiaries. The overview must therefore provide a comprehensive understanding of the call's scope and expectations, enabling organizations to make informed decisions about whether to apply and how to shape their proposals. Furthermore, the call places a strong emphasis on cross-cutting themes such as gender, human rights, and climate change. Projects should integrate gender analysis and ensure that women and girls have equal access to health services. Human rights-based approaches are mandatory, meaning that projects must promote dignity, non-discrimination, and participation. Climate change is an emerging health threat, and projects should consider climate-smart infrastructure and green supply chains. The call also encourages the use of digital health innovations, such as telemedicine, mobile health, and electronic health records, to improve efficiency and reach. Data security and patient privacy must be ensured. The call is also aligned with the EU's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Proposals should explicitly reference these SDGs and show how they contribute to their achievement. The EU will measure success not only by health outcomes but also by contributions to broader development goals. The overview must thus highlight these cross-cutting themes and encourage applicants to integrate them into their project design. GSLI's course on Public Health & Epidemiology covers many of these themes, providing a solid foundation for compliance.

Strategic Overview

The European Commission's call for proposals under the EU Global Health initiative is a pivotal opportunity for organizations committed to strengthening health systems in low-income countries. With a deadline of August 1, 2026, the call aims to fund projects that enhance the capacity of health systems to deliver quality, accessible, and equitable care. The total indicative budget is €50 million, with individual grants ranging from €1 million to €5 million. The call is part of the EU's broader commitment to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthen global health security, as outlined in the EU Global Health Strategy (2022). Key priorities include strengthening primary health care (PHC), improving health workforce capacity, promoting digital health solutions, and ensuring resilient supply chains. The call also emphasizes sustainability, gender equality, and climate resilience. Eligible applicants include international and local NGOs, public authorities, and research institutions, preferably in consortia. The EU expects proposals to demonstrate a clear theory of change, robust M&E frameworks, and sound financial management. The call encourages co-financing and in-kind contributions. For organizations new to EU funding, the call represents a chance to build capacity and credibility. GSLI offers targeted training programs that can help applicants design strong proposals and implement projects effectively. The call is competitive, and only proposals that clearly align with EU priorities and demonstrate organizational capacity will succeed. Strategic preparation is essential, including partnership development, capacity assessment, and proposal writing. GSLI's courses in Project Management for Development, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Writing Winning Proposals are particularly relevant. The overview underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates technical expertise, local engagement, and donor compliance. The call is not just an opportunity for funding but a chance to contribute to global health equity and resilience. Applicants should view it as a long-term investment in their organization's growth and impact. This call is specifically designed to address the systemic weaknesses in health systems that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income countries face critical gaps in infrastructure, workforce, financing, and governance, which the EU aims to fill through targeted investments. The call focuses on building resilient health systems that can withstand not only pandemics but also other shocks like climate change and conflict. The EU expects projects to be context-specific and to involve local stakeholders in design and implementation. The call also incorporates lessons from previous EU health programs, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and exit strategies. Organizations are encouraged to build on existing initiatives and avoid duplicating efforts. The call also requires alignment with national health policies and strategies. The EU will prioritize proposals that demonstrate strong partnerships with local governments and community-based organizations. Innovations in digital health and community engagement are particularly encouraged. The basic requirement for any proposal is a thorough problem analysis and a clear logic model linking inputs to outcomes. The call also emphasizes the need for accountability mechanisms, including grievance redressal for beneficiaries. The overview must therefore provide a comprehensive understanding of the call's scope and expectations, enabling organizations to make informed decisions about whether to apply and how to shape their proposals. Furthermore, the call places a strong emphasis on cross-cutting themes such as gender, human rights, and climate change. Projects should integrate gender analysis and ensure that women and girls have equal access to health services. Human rights-based approaches are mandatory, meaning that projects must promote dignity, non-discrimination, and participation. Climate change is an emerging health threat, and projects should consider climate-smart infrastructure and green supply chains. The call also encourages the use of digital health innovations, such as telemedicine, mobile health, and electronic health records, to improve efficiency and reach. Data security and patient privacy must be ensured. The call is also aligned with the EU's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Proposals should explicitly reference these SDGs and show how they contribute to their achievement. The EU will measure success not only by health outcomes but also by contributions to broader development goals. The overview must thus highlight these cross-cutting themes and encourage applicants to integrate them into their project design. GSLI's course on Public Health & Epidemiology covers many of these themes, providing a solid foundation for compliance.

Who is it For?

This call is primarily for international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), national NGOs, public sector bodies (ministries of health, regional health authorities), academic and research institutions, and private sector entities with a non-profit aim. Eligible applicants must be legally established in an EU member state, an EEA country, or a low-income country targeted by the call. Consortia are encouraged, with a lead applicant coordinating partners. The call targets organizations with proven experience in health system strengthening in low-income settings, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Applicants must demonstrate capacity in project management, financial management, and community engagement. For smaller NGOs, GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Writing Winning Proposals courses are essential to meet EU compliance standards. The EU values local ownership, so partnerships with local organizations are critical. New actors are welcome but must show rapid capacity building through training. The call is not for profit-making ventures or individuals.

Priorities

The donor's global priorities include achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), enhancing pandemic preparedness and response (PPR), and strengthening primary health care (PHC) as the foundation of resilient systems. Key performance indicators (KPIs) focus on reducing maternal and child mortality, increasing vaccine coverage, and improving access to essential health services. The EU emphasizes digital health innovation, such as telemedicine and electronic health records, to improve efficiency. Climate-resilient health systems are a growing priority, given the impact of climate change on disease patterns. Gender equality and human rights must be mainstreamed, with specific indicators for women's access to services. The EU also prioritizes health security, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment. Proposals should align with national health plans and the EU Global Health Strategy. Financial KPIs include cost-effectiveness, leveraging local resources, and sustainability beyond the grant period. The call expects results in institutional capacity building, policy influence, and community engagement.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria include legal status as a non-profit entity, registration in an eligible country, and at least three years of experience in health projects. Financial eligibility requires audited accounts for the last two years, demonstrating sound financial management. Applicants must not be in bankruptcy or conflict of interest with the EU. Spatial eligibility targets low-income countries per DAC list, with priority to EU partner countries. Corporate legal audit must show compliance with anti-corruption and anti-terrorism laws. Consortia must have a signed agreement outlining roles. Maximum EU contribution is typically up to 80% of total budget, with co-financing from own resources or other donors. For US-based NGOs, eligibility requires a partnership with an EU-based entity. GSLI's Grants Management course can help navigate these complex requirements. The call has specific exclusions for activities such as weapons procurement or activities harmful to the environment.

Path to Success

1. **Strategic Alignment and Partnership Development (Month 1-2)**: Begin by aligning your proposal with the EU Global Health Strategy and the specific priorities of the call. Identify and formalize partnerships with local NGOs, government health ministries, and community-based organizations. Develop a consortium agreement that clearly defines roles, governance, and financial management. GSLI's Project Management for Development course can help establish a robust partnership framework. 2. **Capacity Assessment and Training (Month 2-4)**: Conduct a rapid capacity assessment of your organization and partners in key areas like financial management, M&E, and procurement. Enroll key staff in GSLI courses such as Monitoring & Evaluation for Development and Financial Management for NGOs to address gaps. This demonstrates to the EU that you are serious about compliance and results. 3. **Proposal Design and Budgeting (Month 4-6)**: Draft a theory of change with clear logic linking activities to outcomes. Develop a detailed budget that includes co-financing and in-kind contributions. Use GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course to structure your narrative. Ensure all KPIs are SMART. 4. **Submission and Pre-award Compliance (Month 6-8)**: Complete all required forms, including ethical checklists and risk matrices. Obtain necessary signatures and audits. Submit before the deadline. After submission, prepare for potential interviews by the EU. GSLI's Grants Management course can help you prepare for post-award compliance. By integrating GSLI training, you not only improve your proposal quality but also demonstrate institutional capacity, a key factor in EU decisions.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal