EU Global Health and Humanitarian Capacity Building for Resilient Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

This European Commission (DG ECHO) call for proposals represents a strategic investment of €50 million in strengthening health system resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative seeks to enhance local capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies, aligning with the EU's Global Health Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The call prioritizes integrated approaches that combine health system strengthening with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, recognizing that access to clean water and proper sanitation is foundational to disease prevention. It also emphasizes epidemic preparedness, community-based surveillance, and primary healthcare delivery. Eligible applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), UN agencies, and local civil society organizations with proven operational presence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Individual grants range from €2 million to €10 million, with a co-financing requirement of at least 20%. The deadline for submission is August 1, 2026. Given the high urgency and competitive landscape, strategic capacity building through GSLI's specialized courses—such as Public Health & Epidemiology, WASH, and Project Management for Development—can significantly enhance proposal competitiveness. This overview provides a comprehensive analysis of the call's requirements, strategic fit, and actionable pathways to success. Moreover, the call is part of the EU's broader commitment to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, ensuring that humanitarian assistance transitions into long-term development gains. It specifically targets fragile and conflict-affected states in Sub-Saharan Africa, where health systems are weakest. The donor expects projects to demonstrate clear links to national health strategies and to foster local ownership through partnerships with ministries of health and community-based organizations. Key performance indicators include reductions in disease incidence, improvements in vaccination coverage, increased functionality of WASH facilities, and enhanced health workforce competencies. The call also encourages digital health innovations for data management and telemedicine. GSLI's courses in Monitoring & Evaluation and Writing Winning Proposals equip organizations with skills to design robust indicator frameworks and compelling narratives that align with donor expectations. By integrating these courses into project design, organizations can demonstrate a commitment to quality, sustainability, and measurable impact, thereby increasing their chances of securing funding.

Strategic Overview

This European Commission (DG ECHO) call for proposals represents a strategic investment of €50 million in strengthening health system resilience across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative seeks to enhance local capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies, aligning with the EU's Global Health Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The call prioritizes integrated approaches that combine health system strengthening with Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, recognizing that access to clean water and proper sanitation is foundational to disease prevention. It also emphasizes epidemic preparedness, community-based surveillance, and primary healthcare delivery. Eligible applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), UN agencies, and local civil society organizations with proven operational presence in Sub-Saharan Africa. Individual grants range from €2 million to €10 million, with a co-financing requirement of at least 20%. The deadline for submission is August 1, 2026. Given the high urgency and competitive landscape, strategic capacity building through GSLI's specialized courses—such as Public Health & Epidemiology, WASH, and Project Management for Development—can significantly enhance proposal competitiveness. This overview provides a comprehensive analysis of the call's requirements, strategic fit, and actionable pathways to success. Moreover, the call is part of the EU's broader commitment to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, ensuring that humanitarian assistance transitions into long-term development gains. It specifically targets fragile and conflict-affected states in Sub-Saharan Africa, where health systems are weakest. The donor expects projects to demonstrate clear links to national health strategies and to foster local ownership through partnerships with ministries of health and community-based organizations. Key performance indicators include reductions in disease incidence, improvements in vaccination coverage, increased functionality of WASH facilities, and enhanced health workforce competencies. The call also encourages digital health innovations for data management and telemedicine. GSLI's courses in Monitoring & Evaluation and Writing Winning Proposals equip organizations with skills to design robust indicator frameworks and compelling narratives that align with donor expectations. By integrating these courses into project design, organizations can demonstrate a commitment to quality, sustainability, and measurable impact, thereby increasing their chances of securing funding.

Who is it For?

This funding opportunity is designed for a diverse range of actors operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. Primary applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with a proven track record in health systems strengthening and humanitarian response. National NGOs based in target countries are also eligible, provided they demonstrate strong community linkages and financial management capacity. UN agencies, such as WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP, can apply, focusing on technical assistance and coordination. Additionally, consortia comprising multiple organizations are encouraged, as they foster synergies and resource pooling. The call targets organizations that can implement activities in at least two Sub-Saharan African countries, with a preference for those working in fragile and conflict-affected states. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in health programming, including epidemic preparedness, primary healthcare, or WASH. Furthermore, organizations need to show established partnerships with local health authorities and community-based organizations. The call also welcomes applications from academic and research institutions that can integrate evidence-based approaches into health system resilience. GSLI's courses in Procurement & Supply Chain and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) are particularly relevant for organizations seeking to strengthen their operational and accountability frameworks to meet donor expectations.

Priorities

The European Commission's investment priorities under this call are deeply embedded in the EU's Global Health Strategy and the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. Key priority areas include: (1) Strengthening health system governance and financing to ensure sustainable service delivery; (2) Enhancing disease surveillance and early warning systems for epidemic-prone diseases such as cholera, measles, and Ebola; (3) Improving WASH infrastructure and hygiene practices in health facilities and communities to prevent healthcare-associated infections; (4) Building capacity for emergency preparedness and response, including stockpiling essential supplies and training health workers; (5) Promoting integrated, people-centered health services that address both communicable and non-communicable diseases; (6) Supporting digital health innovations for data management and telemedicine; (7) Fostering community engagement and local ownership to ensure cultural acceptability and long-term sustainability. The donor expects measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) such as reduction in disease incidence, increased vaccination coverage, improved WASH facility functionality rates, and enhanced health workforce competencies. Cross-cutting themes include gender equality, disability inclusion, and climate resilience. GSLI's courses in Public Health & Epidemiology and Writing Winning Proposals directly align with these priorities by equipping staff with skills in disease surveillance, data analysis, and proposal development.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are stringent to ensure that funded projects achieve maximum impact. Legally, applicants must be registered as a non-profit organization in an EU member state or in a Sub-Saharan African country. For international organizations, a physical presence in the target region is required, with a minimum of three years of operational experience in health or WASH programs. Financial eligibility mandates that applicants demonstrate a stable funding history, with audited financial statements for the past two years. The minimum annual turnover should be at least €1 million, with sufficient liquidity to cover initial project costs. Spatial eligibility requires that projects be implemented in defined geographic areas within Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on underserved, rural, or conflict-affected zones. Applicants must submit a detailed budget with at least 20% co-financing from own resources or other donors. Ineligible activities include infrastructure construction without a maintenance plan, procurement of weapons, or any form of discrimination. The donor requires a strict adherence to EU procurement rules and anti-corruption policies. For organizations new to EU funding, GSLI's Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs courses provide essential training on compliance, reporting, and auditing standards.

Path to Success

To secure funding under this call, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's capacity-building courses. Step 1: Conduct a thorough needs assessment and align project design with donor priorities. This involves engaging local stakeholders, reviewing health system gaps, and defining measurable outcomes. GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course equips teams to design robust indicator frameworks. Step 2: Strengthen organizational capacity in financial management and compliance. The donor requires rigorous budgeting and procurement processes. GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs and Procurement & Supply Chain courses ensure that organizations meet EU standards and can manage multi-million euro grants effectively. Step 3: Develop a compelling proposal that articulates a clear theory of change. GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course provides step-by-step guidance on crafting logical frameworks, sustainability plans, and impact narratives. Step 4: Build a consortium if needed, leveraging complementary expertise. GSLI's Project Management for Development course helps coordinate partnerships and manage complex workflows. Step 5: Submit a comprehensive application with all required annexes, including risk matrices and due diligence documents. GSLI's Grants Management course offers insights into EU submission portals and documentation requirements. By integrating these courses, organizations not only enhance their proposal competitiveness but also build institutional capacity for long-term success in EU-funded projects.

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Deadline: 2026-08-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal