UNDP Call for Proposals: Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Projects in Asia-Pacific

The UNDP Call for Proposals for Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Projects in Asia-Pacific is a strategic funding mechanism designed to enhance the abilities of local and national stakeholders to measure the impacts of climate adaptation interventions. In a region heavily affected by climate change—including sea-level rise, intensified cyclones, and prolonged droughts—there is a critical need for robust M&E systems that can track adaptation effectiveness and guide resource allocation. This call targets organizations that can develop and deliver comprehensive training programs that cover the full M&E cycle, from indicator selection to data utilization for decision-making. The funding envelope is expected to support multiple projects with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 over a 24-month period. The UNDP emphasizes that proposals must clearly articulate how the training will be tailored to the specific needs of government agencies, civil society, and community groups in at least three Asia-Pacific countries. Additionally, the call requires a strong focus on gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights-based approaches, ensuring that vulnerable groups are actively involved in M&E processes. The deadline is July 30, 2026, making it imperative for interested organizations to begin preparation immediately. GSLI’s course on 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' provides an excellent foundation for teams to develop the technical expertise needed to design a winning proposal, including advanced topics like outcome mapping and contribution analysis. Moreover, the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course can sharpen the persuasive skills necessary to articulate a compelling project concept. By combining subject matter expertise with strategic communication, organizations can significantly improve their chances of securing this high-opportunity grant. This call is not merely a funding opportunity but a chance to influence how climate adaptation is measured and managed across the Asia-Pacific. The UNDP recognizes that weak M&E capacity has historically hindered effective adaptation, leading to wasted resources and missed learning opportunities. Therefore, this initiative aims to create lasting institutional capacity by training trainers, developing accessible toolkits, and establishing networks of M&E practitioners. The geographic scope includes particularly vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Pacific Island states like Fiji and Vanuatu. Applicants are encouraged to propose multi-country programs that leverage regional similarities while respecting national specificities. The UNDP also values innovation in M&E methods, such as the use of citizen science, remote sensing, and mobile technology to collect data in real-time. The budget should reflect a balance between training delivery, material development, and post-training support. Importantly, the UNDP expects grantees to contribute to the global knowledge base by sharing tools and lessons through platforms like the UNFCCC's Adaptation Knowledge Portal. For organizations looking to strengthen their financial management and compliance capacity, GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course is highly recommended, as it covers donor-specific reporting requirements and audit readiness. Finally, the call underscores the importance of sustainability; proposals must explain how capacities will be maintained after the project ends, such as through integration with existing academic programs or government training institutes.

Strategic Overview

The UNDP Call for Proposals for Capacity Building for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Projects in Asia-Pacific is a strategic funding mechanism designed to enhance the abilities of local and national stakeholders to measure the impacts of climate adaptation interventions. In a region heavily affected by climate change—including sea-level rise, intensified cyclones, and prolonged droughts—there is a critical need for robust M&E systems that can track adaptation effectiveness and guide resource allocation. This call targets organizations that can develop and deliver comprehensive training programs that cover the full M&E cycle, from indicator selection to data utilization for decision-making. The funding envelope is expected to support multiple projects with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 over a 24-month period. The UNDP emphasizes that proposals must clearly articulate how the training will be tailored to the specific needs of government agencies, civil society, and community groups in at least three Asia-Pacific countries. Additionally, the call requires a strong focus on gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights-based approaches, ensuring that vulnerable groups are actively involved in M&E processes. The deadline is July 30, 2026, making it imperative for interested organizations to begin preparation immediately. GSLI’s course on 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' provides an excellent foundation for teams to develop the technical expertise needed to design a winning proposal, including advanced topics like outcome mapping and contribution analysis. Moreover, the 'Writing Winning Proposals' course can sharpen the persuasive skills necessary to articulate a compelling project concept. By combining subject matter expertise with strategic communication, organizations can significantly improve their chances of securing this high-opportunity grant. This call is not merely a funding opportunity but a chance to influence how climate adaptation is measured and managed across the Asia-Pacific. The UNDP recognizes that weak M&E capacity has historically hindered effective adaptation, leading to wasted resources and missed learning opportunities. Therefore, this initiative aims to create lasting institutional capacity by training trainers, developing accessible toolkits, and establishing networks of M&E practitioners. The geographic scope includes particularly vulnerable countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Pacific Island states like Fiji and Vanuatu. Applicants are encouraged to propose multi-country programs that leverage regional similarities while respecting national specificities. The UNDP also values innovation in M&E methods, such as the use of citizen science, remote sensing, and mobile technology to collect data in real-time. The budget should reflect a balance between training delivery, material development, and post-training support. Importantly, the UNDP expects grantees to contribute to the global knowledge base by sharing tools and lessons through platforms like the UNFCCC's Adaptation Knowledge Portal. For organizations looking to strengthen their financial management and compliance capacity, GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course is highly recommended, as it covers donor-specific reporting requirements and audit readiness. Finally, the call underscores the importance of sustainability; proposals must explain how capacities will be maintained after the project ends, such as through integration with existing academic programs or government training institutes.

Who is it For?

This call for proposals is designed for a wide range of eligible entities, including international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic and research institutions, private sector consulting firms, and development agencies with demonstrated experience in capacity building for climate adaptation and monitoring and evaluation. The target beneficiaries of the project are primarily government agencies responsible for climate change planning and implementation, such as ministries of environment, agriculture, water resources, and disaster risk reduction, as well as provincial and local government units. Additionally, community-based organizations (CBOs) and indigenous groups involved in adaptation projects will benefit indirectly through strengthened M&E systems that ensure their voices and traditional knowledge are incorporated. The programs will also target project managers and M&E officers working for non-profits and international development partners in the region. The UNDP encourages proposals that engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including women-led organizations, youth groups, and organizations representing persons with disabilities, to ensure inclusive and equitable capacity building. Priority will be given to organizations with a strong track record in the Asia-Pacific region, especially those with existing networks and partnerships in countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Pacific Island States. Collaborations with local institutions that can provide contextual understanding and language skills are highly valued. The call also welcomes consortia or joint proposals that pool expertise in M&E, climate science, adult learning methodologies, and institutional strengthening.

Priorities

The UNDP’s global priorities are deeply embedded in this call, reflecting the organization's commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The primary investment KPIs focus on enhancing adaptive capacity, reducing vulnerability, and integrating climate risks into national and local planning. Specifically, the call prioritizes outcomes that demonstrate improved M&E systems for climate adaptation projects, including the development of standardized indicators, data collection protocols, and reporting frameworks that are transparent and accountable. The UNDP emphasizes the importance of gender-responsive and human rights-based approaches, requiring that all training modules address gender equality and the empowerment of women and marginalized groups. Another key priority is the use of digital tools and innovative data sources, such as GIS, remote sensing, and participatory video, to strengthen M&E in remote or data-scarce areas. The call also prioritizes the creation of communities of practice and knowledge-sharing platforms that can sustain learning beyond the project period. Financial KPIs include cost-effectiveness, value for money, and leveraging of co-financing from other sources. The UNDP expects proposals to align with its Strategic Plan (2022-2025), focusing on structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and building resilience. Additionally, the call stresses the importance of alignment with national adaptation plans (NAPs) and nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of target countries, ensuring that capacity building supports country-owned priorities. Success will be measured through indicators such as the number of participants trained, pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, the adoption of new M&E frameworks by partner organizations, and the quality and timeliness of reporting.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this call is based on a comprehensive set of criteria spanning financial, spatial, and corporate legal dimensions. Financially, applicant organizations must demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to manage grants typically ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with annual audited financial statements for the previous two years, a proven track record of donor fund management, and adequate internal controls to prevent fraud and corruption. Organizations must have a minimum annual budget of $500,000 and at least three years of experience in relevant capacity-building projects. Spatially, the call is open to entities legally registered in any country, but with a strong preference for those having an operational presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Applicants must provide details of their physical offices or partnerships in the region, as well as a demonstrated understanding of the local context. Corporate legal eligibility requires that the organization be a legally registered entity under national law, with a clear governance structure, including a board of directors or equivalent oversight body. Non-profit status is not mandatory but is advantageous. Organizations must not be debarred or suspended by the United Nations or any other international donor. Partnerships with local entities are encouraged, and consortia must designate a lead organization that meets all eligibility criteria. Ineligible organizations include those with conflicts of interest, political parties, government agencies (unless in a partnership with an eligible entity), and entities involved in activities contrary to UN values. The UNDP also applies negative gender and social inclusion checks, excluding organizations with a history of discrimination or human rights violations. Applicants must submit a completed proposal form, a detailed budget, CVs of key personnel, and evidence of past performance in similar projects.

Path to Success

To secure this opportunity, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI’s specialized training courses to bolster credibility and capacity. Step 1: Conduct a thorough needs assessment and align your proposal with the UNDP’s priority themes of gender-responsive M&E, digital data collection, and local ownership. Leverage GSLI’s 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to train your team on advanced M&E methodologies, including theory of change, logic models, and impact evaluation design, ensuring your proposal demonstrates technical rigor. Step 2: Build a robust consortium or partnership structure involving local organizations with deep community ties and government relationships. Use GSLI’s 'Project Management for Development' course to enhance your team’s skills in stakeholder coordination, work breakdown structures, and risk management, which are critical for managing complex multi-country projects. Step 3: Develop a comprehensive and realistic budget that reflects value for money and includes co-financing commitments. The GSLI 'Financial Management for NGOs' course will equip your finance team with knowledge on donor budgeting, cost allocation, and financial reporting in line with UNDP standards, reducing the risk of budget rejection. Step 4: Write a compelling narrative that emphasizes sustainability, scalability, and innovation. GSLI’s 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers strategies for framing your project’s impact, using evidence from past successes, and articulating a clear theory of change. By embedding these training outcomes, your proposal will demonstrate institutional competence and a high likelihood of success. Additionally, integrate GSLI’s 'Grants Management' course to ensure post-award compliance and effective grant administration, which is a key evaluation criterion. This step-by-step approach, combined with GSLI’s expertise, positions your organization as a reliable and capable partner for the UNDP.

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Deadline: 2026-07-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal