UNDP Global Environmental Facility: Capacity Building for Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Projects

The UNDP Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has announced a call for proposals titled "Capacity Building for Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Projects," with a deadline of August 1, 2026. This funding opportunity is specifically designed to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of organizations operating in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to effectively monitor and evaluate climate adaptation initiatives. The total indicative budget is $15 million, with individual grants ranging from $500,000 to $2 million over a 3-5 year implementation period. The call is part of the GEF's Capacity-building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), which aim to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of climate adaptation investments. Priority themes include gender-responsive M&E, data-driven decision-making, integration of local and indigenous knowledge, and use of innovative technologies such as remote sensing and mobile data collection. The ultimate goal is to ensure that adaptation projects are accountable, evidence-based, and aligned with national frameworks like National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Organizations that are eligible to apply include national and sub-national government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, community-based organizations, and private sector entities with a demonstrated track record in climate adaptation or M&E. The lead organization must have legal registration, financial stability, and at least five years of relevant experience. Consortia are encouraged, with the lead organization assuming overall responsibility. Co-financing from non-GEF sources (at least 20% of the total budget) is a strong preference, demonstrating country ownership and sustainability. The proposal must include a gender analysis and action plan, as well as a detailed sustainability strategy for maintaining M&E systems beyond the project period. Moreover, the call emphasizes the importance of partnerships with national governments, requiring a letter of endorsement from the relevant ministry. In summary, this is a strategic opportunity for organizations to build long-term M&E capacity that will not only benefit individual projects but also contribute to national and global adaptation frameworks. By investing in this call, organizations can position themselves as leaders in climate adaptation transparency, attract additional funding, and create lasting impact. The GSLI offers targeted courses that can strengthen an organization's proposal by demonstrating a commitment to professional development and capacity building, such as the Monitoring & Evaluation course, Project Management for Development, and Financial Management for NGOs. These courses equip staff with the skills needed to design, implement, and manage robust M&E systems, directly addressing the priorities of this call.

This call is designed for a diverse range of organizations involved in climate adaptation, including national and sub-national government agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic and research institutions, community-based organizations (CBOs), and private sector entities with a demonstrated track record in climate resilience or M&E. Priority will be given to applicants from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as these regions face acute vulnerability to climate impacts and often lack technical M&E capacity. Proposals must be submitted by a lead organization that can demonstrate legal registration, financial stability, and at least five years of experience in climate adaptation or M&E. The lead organization must have a physical presence in the target country or region and a proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder partnerships. Consortia are encouraged, provided the lead organization assumes overall responsibility. Sub-grantees or partners may include local CBOs, women's groups, and indigenous organizations, which are critical for ensuring community engagement and integrating local knowledge. The call particularly welcomes proposals that empower marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, through capacity-building activities. Eligible organizations must also demonstrate commitment to transparency, gender equality, and environmental safeguards, as per UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES). Additionally, applicants must not be under any sanction or debarment by the United Nations or other international bodies. The call excludes for-profit entities unless they operate as non-profit affiliates or demonstrate a clear public benefit mission. In summary, the ideal applicant is a legally registered entity with strong local roots, technical expertise in M&E or adaptation, and a collaborative approach that leverages existing national systems.

The UNDP GEF's overarching priority is to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of climate adaptation investments by strengthening national and local M&E systems. Investment KPIs focus on three pillars: (1) Institutional Capacity: Number of national and local institutions with improved M&E frameworks, including standardized indicators, data management protocols, and reporting mechanisms. (2) Human Capacity: Number of professionals trained in MEL methodologies, data analysis, and results-based management, with a target of at least 80% reporting improved skills within two years. (3) Data Availability: Percentage of adaptation projects with baseline data and regular monitoring reports integrated into national systems, aiming for 100% coverage by project end. The donor prioritizes proposals that demonstrate gender-responsive M&E, ensuring disaggregated data by sex, age, and disability. Another key priority is the use of innovative technologies (e.g., GIS, remote sensing, mobile apps) to improve data quality and timeliness. Alignment with national frameworks such as NAPs, NDCs, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 (Climate Action) and 17 (Partnerships) is essential. The call also emphasizes sustainability, requiring a clear plan for maintaining M&E systems beyond the project period, including budget allocation from national resources. Co-financing from non-GEF sources (at least 20% of total budget) is a strong preference, demonstrating country ownership. Finally, the donor seeks to foster communities of practice and South-South cooperation, so proposals should include mechanisms for peer learning, knowledge sharing, and scaling successful approaches. In summary, proposals must clearly articulate how they will deliver measurable improvements in M&E capacity, with a strong focus on gender, technology, and long-term sustainability.

Financial eligibility requires lead organizations to submit audited financial statements for the past two years, demonstrating a stable financial position and ability to manage advance payments (up to 30% of grant) and quarterly reporting. The total grant request must be between $500,000 and $2 million, with a minimum co-financing commitment of 20% from non-GEF sources (cash or in-kind). Indirect costs are capped at 8% of direct costs. Spatial eligibility is restricted to projects implemented in LDCs or SIDS, with at least 50% of activities occurring in rural or vulnerable urban areas. The project must cover at least two administrative levels (national and local) and involve at least three local partners. Corporate legal eligibility requires the lead organization to be a legally registered entity under national law, with a clear governance structure, anti-corruption policy, and environmental safeguard policy (aligned with UNDP SES). The organization must not have any conflict of interest with UNDP or GEF partners. Additionally, the proposal must include a letter of endorsement from the national government (e.g., Ministry of Environment) confirming alignment with national adaptation priorities. Organizations that have received GEF funding within the last three years must demonstrate successful completion of prior projects with no outstanding audit queries. If the lead organization is an international NGO, it must have a local office in the target country and a partnership agreement with a national entity. Finally, all activities must comply with the GEF's gender policy, requiring a gender analysis and action plan in the proposal. In summary, eligibility is stringent, requiring not only technical capacity but also robust financial management, legal compliance, and strong local partnerships.

To secure funding and deliver a high-impact M&E capacity-building project, follow this strategic roadmap with GSLI integration: **Step 1: Pre-Proposal Readiness & Capacity Assessment (Months 1-2)** Conduct an internal audit of your organization's M&E systems, staff competencies, and existing partnerships. Use tools like the UNDP M&E Capacity Assessment Framework to identify gaps. Simultaneously, enroll key staff in GSLI's **Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course** and **Project Management for Development course** to quickly strengthen core skills. These courses provide practical training in indicator development, data collection methods, and results-based management, ensuring your proposal reflects current best practices. Also, engage with national government agencies to secure endorsement letters and align with NAPs. Prepare preliminary co-financing commitments from partners. This step ensures your organization is technically and institutionally ready to propose a credible, competitive project. **Step 2: Stakeholder Engagement & Needs Assessment (Months 3-4)** Facilitate inclusive consultations with national and local stakeholders, including women's groups, indigenous communities, and local government staff. Use participatory tools to identify priority M&E needs and capacities. Document these findings in a needs assessment report that will form the basis of your proposal's theory of change. Integrate GSLI's **WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) course** if adaptation projects include water resilience components, as this course offers sector-specific M&E frameworks. Also, leverage GSLI's **Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course** to train local partners in sustainable financing strategies, demonstrating a commitment to long-term capacity. This step builds local ownership and ensures your proposal is grounded in real-world needs. **Step 3: Proposal Design & Budgeting (Months 5-6)** Develop a comprehensive proposal with a clear logical framework, detailed work plan, and results chain linking outputs to outcomes and impacts. Include a gender action plan and a sustainability strategy outlining how M&E systems will be institutionalized post-project. Budget realistically, ensuring at least 20% co-financing and adherence to UNDP's cost categories. To strengthen the M&E design, incorporate methodologies from GSLI's **Writing Winning Proposals course**, which covers donor-specific requirements. Also, assign roles for staff who completed GSLI's **Financial Management for NGOs course** to handle budgeting and compliance. The proposal should highlight how GSLI-trained personnel will lead key activities, increasing donor confidence in implementation capacity. **Step 4: Submission & Stakeholder Buy-In (Month 7)** Submit the proposal via UNDP's online portal, ensuring all annexes (audited statements, endorsement letters, CVs of key staff) are included. Simultaneously, engage in advocacy with UNDP country offices, emphasizing your organization's enhanced capacity through GSLI training. Consider joining or forming a consortium to pool complementary strengths. After submission, prepare for potential clarifications by having a rapid response team, including individuals with GSLI **Grants Management course** experience to handle administrative queries. Finally, plan for dissemination of results through GSLI's alumni network, positioning your organization as a thought leader. This comprehensive approach maximizes your chances of success and ensures a high-quality implementation once funded.