UNDP Global Call for Proposals: Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Integrated Water Resources Management and WASH Governance

The UNDP Global Call for Proposals on Strengthening Institutional Capacity for IWRM and WASH Governance is a flagship initiative under UNDP's Water and Ocean Governance Programme. It directly responds to the alarming global gap in water and sanitation access and the weak institutional frameworks that perpetuate inequalities and vulnerabilities. The call recognizes that sustainable water management is not merely a technical issue but a governance challenge requiring coherent policies, accountable institutions, and active citizen participation. With an emphasis on capacity development, the grant supports activities such as training of government officials, revision of legal frameworks, establishment of water user associations, and deployment of digital tools for monitoring water quality and quantity. The overarching goal is to create self-sustaining systems that can withstand shocks like climate change, population growth, and economic instability. This overview delves into the call's genesis, its alignment with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and its integration with UNDP's broader portfolio on climate adaptation and biodiversity. The call is expected to fund a diverse range of projects across multiple regions, with priority given to nations with the greatest need, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Small Island Developing States. Each project will have a defined duration of 24 to 36 months, with budgets ranging from $500,000 to $2 million USD. UNDP has set clear evaluation criteria: relevance and alignment with national priorities (25%), technical soundness and innovation (20%), institutional capacity and partnership (15%), sustainability and scaling potential (15%), gender and human rights integration (10%), monitoring and evaluation rigor (10%), and cost-effectiveness (5%). Applicants must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the local context, including political economy dynamics and cultural sensitivities. The call is open to both single organizations and consortia, but the lead applicant must bear full responsibility for implementation and reporting. UNDP will also prioritize projects that incorporate lessons from past initiatives, such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF) IWRM projects or previous UNDP WASH programs. Knowledge management is a key component: grantees are expected to document challenges and successes, participate in online communities of practice, and contribute to UNDP's global knowledge platform. This overview further explores how the call complements other donor initiatives, such as the World Bank's Water Global Practice and bilateral programs from USAID or DFID, and encourages co-financing to maximize impact. Finally, it underscores the importance of an adaptive management approach, allowing for course corrections based on real-time data and stakeholder feedback.

Strategic Overview

Who is it For?

This call is designed for a diverse range of organizations committed to advancing IWRM and WASH governance. Primary targets include national and local government agencies responsible for water resources management, sanitation, and hygiene; non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with proven experience in community-based water projects; research and academic institutions undertaking applied research in water governance; and international development organizations with a strong field presence in water-scarce or climate-vulnerable regions. Additionally, community-based organizations (CBOs) and indigenous groups that represent marginalized communities are encouraged to apply, provided they have the legal capacity to enter into grant agreements. The call particularly seeks entities that can demonstrate strong institutional memory, technical expertise in IWRM, and robust financial management systems. Organizations should have a minimum of five years of experience in implementing WASH or water resource projects, with at least two successfully completed projects of similar scale. They must also show evidence of working in multi-stakeholder environments, including partnerships with local governments, private sector, and civil society. UNDP prioritizes applicants that incorporate gender-sensitive approaches, human rights-based frameworks, and climate adaptation strategies. Furthermore, organizations should be legally registered in the country of implementation, with a proven track record of compliance with national laws and international standards. The call also welcomes consortia or partnerships between multiple organizations to leverage complementary strengths, provided a lead applicant is identified. For instance, a consortium combining a research institute’s analytical capacity with an NGO’s grassroots reach can create powerful synergies. However, all partners must meet the eligibility criteria individually. The call excludes individuals, for-profit entities not registered as social enterprises, and political parties. It is crucial for applicants to review the full eligibility criteria in the official UNDP guidelines, as failure to meet any requirement may result in disqualification. Moreover, UNDP encourages applications from organizations in least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS), as these face unique water challenges. Finally, organizations must have a proven ability to mobilize communities and foster participatory governance, as ownership by local stakeholders is critical for sustainability.

Priorities

UNDP's global priorities for this call are deeply rooted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 6, and the organization's Strategic Plan 2022-2025. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Enhanced institutional capacity at national and sub-national levels to develop, implement, and monitor IWRM and WASH policies and plans, measured by the number of institutions adopting or updating water governance frameworks. (2) Improved regulatory and accountability mechanisms in the water and sanitation sector, including transparent budget allocation and anti-corruption measures. (3) Increased access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services, especially for vulnerable populations such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and communities in remote or conflict-affected areas. (4) Strengthened climate resilience of water systems through integrated approaches like water harvesting, nature-based solutions, and early warning systems, with metrics such as reduced water stress indices. (5) Promotion of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in water governance, ensuring that at least 50% of beneficiaries are women and that decision-making bodies include marginalized groups. (6) Scaling up innovative financing mechanisms, including public-private partnerships, results-based financing, and blended finance, to sustain water services. (7) Digital transformation in water management, such as using real-time monitoring, GIS mapping, and mobile platforms for citizen engagement. UNDP also emphasizes cross-sectoral integration, requiring projects to demonstrate linkages with health, education, livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. Another priority is knowledge management: projects should document best practices and lessons learned for replication. Additionally, UNDP expects alignment with national water and sanitation policies, as well as regional frameworks like the African Water Vision 2025 or the EU Water Framework Directive. The call also supports South-South and triangular cooperation, encouraging knowledge exchange between countries. Furthermore, UNDP prioritizes projects that leverage existing partnerships with UN agencies like UNICEF, WHO, and UNEP to maximize coherence. Finally, the call underscores the need for sustainability beyond the project lifecycle, requiring a clear exit strategy and capacity building for local institutions to continue activities post-grant. Successful proposals will articulate how they contribute to at least three of these priorities and provide concrete, measurable targets with baseline data.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria are comprehensive to ensure that only capable and accountable organizations receive funding. Legally, applicants must be officially registered as a non-profit entity (e.g., NGO, foundation, academic institution, or government agency) in the country where the project will be implemented. A certificate of registration and articles of association must be submitted. Financially, organizations must have audited financial statements for the past two fiscal years, demonstrating sound financial management and no history of fraud or misappropriation. They must have a minimum annual operating budget of at least $500,000 USD in the past two years, with the grant amount not exceeding 50% of the organization's average annual budget. Organizations must also have a dedicated finance team and internal control systems, including segregation of duties and procurement policies. Spatially, the project must be implemented in a country where UNDP has an active country office, and the organization must have a physical presence or partnership with a local entity in the target area. Projects in fragile or conflict-affected states must demonstrate additional security and risk management protocols. Technically, the organization must have at least five years of demonstrated experience in IWRM or WASH governance, with references from at least two completed projects of comparable size. Key personnel, such as the project manager and technical lead, must have advanced degrees (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields like water engineering, environmental science, public health, or development studies, with at least 10 years of professional experience. Furthermore, organizations must have a track record of promoting gender equality and social inclusion, evidenced by policies and past project data. They must also have a proven capacity to monitor and evaluate projects using standardized metrics. Compliance with UNDP’s social and environmental standards is mandatory; organizations must have an environmental and social management framework. Excluded entities are for-profit organizations (unless they operate as non-profit social enterprises), individuals, political parties, and organizations sanctioned by the UN. Organizations with active litigation or past due reporting to UNDP are also ineligible. Additionally, the grant cannot be used for lobbying, political activities, or military purposes. All applicants must sign an anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering certification. A rigorous pre-screening process will verify these criteria; incomplete applications will be rejected. It is highly recommended to consult the official UNDP eligibility checklist and engage with the UNDP country office for guidance.

Path to Success

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Recommended GSLI Courses

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

Deadline: 2026-08-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal