EU Horizon Europe Call: Climate-Resilient Integrated WASH and One Health Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

This Horizon Europe call is a flagship opportunity for organizations aiming to integrate climate adaptation with WASH and health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The European Commission has allocated €25 million to support 3-5 projects that will co-create and scale nature-based solutions for water security, decentralized sanitation, and One Health surveillance. The call is explicitly designed to foster partnerships between EU and African entities, ensuring local ownership and sustainability. Applicants must submit a concept note by June 15, 2026, describing their proposed intervention, consortium composition, and expected impact. The concept note is a 10-page document focusing on the project's relevance to the call's objectives, the innovative nature of the proposed solutions, and the partners' track record. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals by October 30, 2026. The call emphasizes cross-cutting priorities: climate resilience, digital transformation, gender equality, and social inclusion. Projects must be implemented over 36-48 months and demonstrate clear pathways to scaling beyond the initial funding period. This is a high-urgency opportunity requiring immediate action to build consortia and develop compelling narratives.

Strategic Overview

This Horizon Europe call is a flagship opportunity for organizations aiming to integrate climate adaptation with WASH and health systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The European Commission has allocated €25 million to support 3-5 projects that will co-create and scale nature-based solutions for water security, decentralized sanitation, and One Health surveillance. The call is explicitly designed to foster partnerships between EU and African entities, ensuring local ownership and sustainability. Applicants must submit a concept note by June 15, 2026, describing their proposed intervention, consortium composition, and expected impact. The concept note is a 10-page document focusing on the project's relevance to the call's objectives, the innovative nature of the proposed solutions, and the partners' track record. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals by October 30, 2026. The call emphasizes cross-cutting priorities: climate resilience, digital transformation, gender equality, and social inclusion. Projects must be implemented over 36-48 months and demonstrate clear pathways to scaling beyond the initial funding period. This is a high-urgency opportunity requiring immediate action to build consortia and develop compelling narratives.

Who is it For?

Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU member states, Horizon Europe associated countries, and African Union countries. Consortia must comprise at least three independent entities from three different EU member states or associated countries, and at least three entities from three different African Union countries. International organizations, including UN agencies, can participate as additional partners. NGOs, social enterprises, and local community-based organizations are encouraged to join consortia as operational partners. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in water technology or health innovations are highly relevant. The call particularly targets partnerships that include local government authorities (e.g., district water departments) and research institutions with expertise in hydrology, public health, and social sciences.

Priorities

The donor's priorities are: 1) Development of climate-resilient WASH infrastructure using nature-based solutions (e.g., constructed wetlands, rainwater harvesting). 2) Integration of One Health surveillance systems to monitor waterborne diseases and antimicrobial resistance. 3) Strengthening local governance and financial management for sustainable WASH services. 4) Promoting gender equality and social inclusion in WASH decision-making. 5) Adoption of digital tools for real-time monitoring and adaptive management. Key performance indicators include a 30% reduction in waterborne disease incidence, 20% increase in water use efficiency, and at least 40% of project beneficiaries being women and girls.

Eligibility

Applicants must be legal entities with a proven track record in WASH and health research or implementation. Financial viability checks will be conducted; organizations must have audited accounts for the last two years demonstrating stable funding. In-kind contributions are allowed up to 25% of total eligible costs. Compliance with EU Horizon Europe ethics and security rules is mandatory, including data protection and environmental safeguards. Partners from non-EU countries must provide a letter of commitment from their national authority. Additionally, consortia must demonstrate previous experience in multi-country projects and have a formal partnership agreement covering IP and profit sharing.

Path to Success

1. **Strengthen Organizational Capacity**: Enroll in the GSLI courses 'Project Management for Development' and 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' to design robust work plans and logical frameworks. Use 'WASH' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to align technical approach with donor priorities. 2. **Form a Strong Consortium**: Identify partners from EU and African countries with complementary expertise. Attend matchmaking events organized by the European Commission. Utilize 'Writing Winning Proposals' to craft a compelling narrative. 3. **Develop a Gender-Responsive, Nature-Based Solution**: Integrate climate adaptation strategies, such as constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Use 'Financial Management for NGOs' to prepare detailed budgets. 4. **Prepare for Submission**: Submit a concise concept note by June 15, 2026. If shortlisted, allocate resources for full proposal development, ensuring all mandatory annexes (e.g., ethics self-assessment, partner letters) are included. Use 'Grants Management' to ensure post-award compliance.

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Deadline: 2026-06-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal