UNDP: Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water Governance in the Arab Region – Call for Proposals

The UNDP call for proposals for 'Capacity Building for Climate-Resilient Water Governance in the Arab Region' is a flagship initiative designed to address the severe water challenges facing the Arab world. With groundwater depletion rates among the highest globally and climate change models predicting increased aridity, the region's water security is at a critical juncture. This call seeks to empower local institutions—government agencies, water utilities, and community organizations—to adopt a climate-resilient approach to water governance. The program is part of UNDP's broader Regional Programme for the Arab States, which prioritizes sustainable development and resilience. Proposals must be submitted by July 30, 2026, and should outline a comprehensive plan for capacity building, including training, technical assistance, policy support, and pilot demonstrations. The call encourages innovative approaches such as the use of remote sensing for water monitoring, blockchain for water accounting, and nature-based solutions like wetlands restoration. A key aspect is the focus on cross-sectoral integration, linking water governance with agriculture, energy, and health. UNDP expects projects to deliver tangible improvements in water use efficiency, sustainable access, and institutional readiness. Organizations must demonstrate a clear understanding of the regional context, including political sensitivities, cultural norms, and infrastructure realities. The call is highly competitive, with UNDP seeking to fund projects that have a high potential for impact and scalability. To succeed, applicants should present a well-researched needs assessment, a theory of change, and a detailed implementation plan. Collaboration with local partners is essential. The call also stresses the importance of gender equality, with expectations that women are both participants and decision-makers in water management. Overall, this is a strategic funding opportunity for organizations committed to water security and climate action in a vulnerable region.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This call is specifically designed for a diverse range of stakeholders operating in or focusing on the Arab region. Eligible entities include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic and research institutions, private sector consulting firms, and international development agencies with proven expertise in water governance, climate change adaptation, and capacity building. Proposals must be led by an organization legally registered in one of the Arab states or with a substantial operational presence in the region. Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate a strong track record in implementing similar projects, particularly those that have successfully collaborated with UNDP or other UN agencies. Additionally, the donor encourages consortia approaches that bring together complementary skills such as technical water management, policy advocacy, community engagement, and monitoring & evaluation. Small and medium-sized local organizations are strongly encouraged to apply, with provisions for capacity support if needed. The target beneficiaries include government ministries, water authorities, local communities, and women-led organizations. Proposals should clearly articulate how the organization’s expertise and network will be leveraged to achieve sustainable, climate-resilient water governance outcomes.

Priorities

UNDP’s global priorities for this call center on enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience of water governance systems in the face of climate change. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at national and transboundary levels; (2) Improving data collection, analysis, and early warning systems for climate-related water risks; (3) Promoting innovative, nature-based solutions for water conservation and quality improvement; (4) Fostering inclusive, gender-responsive, and participatory decision-making processes; (5) Scaling up climate finance and public-private partnerships for sustainable water infrastructure; and (6) Building technical and managerial capacities of water professionals. Additionally, UNDP emphasizes cross-cutting themes such as digital transformation in water management, conflict-sensitive approaches in fragile contexts, and alignment with the Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework. Proposals should specify how they will measure success through clear indicators such as number of policies revised, stakeholder capacity gains, and volume of water savings. The donor also prioritizes scalability and replicability of interventions, ensuring that pilot initiatives can be expanded regionally. Finally, partnerships with local universities and youth groups are highly valued to foster long-term ownership and innovation.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are stringent to ensure financial probity, spatial relevance, and corporate legal compliance. Financially, organizations must have a minimum annual operating budget of $500,000 (or equivalent) for the past two fiscal years and provide audited financial statements. They must demonstrate sound financial management systems, including internal controls, anti-fraud procedures, and adherence to UNDP’s financial rules. Spatially, the proposed project activities must be implemented within one or more of the 22 Arab League member states, with a focus on countries most vulnerable to water stress such as Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and the State of Palestine. Organizations must have a physical presence or a formal partnership with a local entity in the target country. Corporate legal requirements include proof of legal registration (e.g., certificate of incorporation), tax compliance certificates, and a valid registration in the UN Partner Portal (UNPP). Additionally, organizations must not be listed on any UN sanctions or debarment lists. They must submit a signed declaration of conformity with UNDP’s core values and policies on gender equality, environmental sustainability, and human rights. For consortia, a lead applicant must be identified, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or agreement among partners is required. Failure to meet any of these criteria may result in immediate disqualification.

Path to Success

To maximize the likelihood of a successful proposal, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI’s specialized training courses. The first step is to conduct a thorough needs assessment and stakeholder mapping in the target Arab country, identifying gaps in water governance capacities and key actors. This phase benefits from GSLI’s 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course, which teaches participants how to design baseline studies and assess institutional readiness. The second step is to develop a coherent project design that aligns with UNDP’s priorities. Here, GSLI’s 'Writing Winning Proposals' course provides essential skills in crafting compelling narratives, logical frameworks, and budgets that meet donor requirements. The third step involves building a strong consortium with complementary partners. GSLI’s 'Project Management for Development' course equips teams with tools for effective coordination and communication, ensuring smooth collaboration. The fourth step is to establish robust financial and procurement systems. GSLI’s 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses help organizations design transparent, efficient processes that comply with UNDP’s stringent standards. Finally, ongoing capacity building for project staff through courses like 'Public Health & Epidemiology' (for water quality aspects) and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' (for sustainability) ensures long-term success. By integrating these training modules, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to excellence and significantly enhance their proposal’s competitiveness.

Recommended GSLI Courses

WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)
Project Management for Development
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)

Deadline: 2026-07-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal