UNDP Global Call: Capacity Building for Integrated WASH and Climate Resilience in Urban Municipalities

The UNDP Global Call for Capacity Building for Integrated WASH and Climate Resilience in Urban Municipalities is a major funding opportunity for organizations committed to strengthening urban water and sanitation systems in the face of climate change. This grant is part of UNDP’s broader efforts to support local implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas where climate risks are most acute. The call recognizes that traditional WASH projects often fail to account for climate impacts such as floods, droughts, and sea-level rise, which can damage infrastructure, contaminate water sources, and disrupt services. Therefore, the focus is on building the capacity of municipal stakeholders to plan, design, and manage resilient WASH systems. Eligible applicants include international NGOs, national NGOs, research institutions, and consortia that can demonstrate experience in both WASH and climate adaptation. The grant amount ranges from $500,000 to $2 million per project, with a total funding envelope estimated at $20-30 million. The deadline is September 15, 2026, giving organizations over a year to develop a comprehensive proposal. The UNDP encourages proposals that use innovative approaches such as digital tools, nature-based solutions, and results-based financing. Gender equality and social inclusion are cross-cutting priorities, requiring specific actions to ensure that women, youth, and marginalized groups benefit from the project. Successful proposals will include a clear theory of change, a detailed implementation plan, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and a sustainability strategy. The project should be designed in collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure ownership and alignment with local priorities. The UNDP also stresses the importance of risk management, including environmental and social safeguards. By integrating GSLI training courses such as 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)', 'Project Management for Development', 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)', and 'Writing Winning Proposals', applicants can significantly enhance the quality of their proposals and subsequent project implementation. The overview of the call reveals a sophisticated understanding of the WASH-climate nexus and the need for systemic capacity building. The UNDP expects applicants to go beyond simple training to foster institutional change, including policy updates, improved budget allocations, and cross-departmental coordination. The call also emphasizes the use of data and evidence for decision-making, encouraging applicants to incorporate baseline assessments and real-time monitoring. The integration of climate adaptation into WASH planning is a critical outcome, with indicators such as the number of climate-resilient WASH plans developed or updated. This grant represents a significant opportunity for organizations to contribute to sustainable urban development while building their own expertise and partnerships.

Strategic Overview

The UNDP Global Call for Capacity Building for Integrated WASH and Climate Resilience in Urban Municipalities is a major funding opportunity for organizations committed to strengthening urban water and sanitation systems in the face of climate change. This grant is part of UNDP’s broader efforts to support local implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas where climate risks are most acute. The call recognizes that traditional WASH projects often fail to account for climate impacts such as floods, droughts, and sea-level rise, which can damage infrastructure, contaminate water sources, and disrupt services. Therefore, the focus is on building the capacity of municipal stakeholders to plan, design, and manage resilient WASH systems. Eligible applicants include international NGOs, national NGOs, research institutions, and consortia that can demonstrate experience in both WASH and climate adaptation. The grant amount ranges from $500,000 to $2 million per project, with a total funding envelope estimated at $20-30 million. The deadline is September 15, 2026, giving organizations over a year to develop a comprehensive proposal. The UNDP encourages proposals that use innovative approaches such as digital tools, nature-based solutions, and results-based financing. Gender equality and social inclusion are cross-cutting priorities, requiring specific actions to ensure that women, youth, and marginalized groups benefit from the project. Successful proposals will include a clear theory of change, a detailed implementation plan, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, and a sustainability strategy. The project should be designed in collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure ownership and alignment with local priorities. The UNDP also stresses the importance of risk management, including environmental and social safeguards. By integrating GSLI training courses such as 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)', 'Project Management for Development', 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)', and 'Writing Winning Proposals', applicants can significantly enhance the quality of their proposals and subsequent project implementation. The overview of the call reveals a sophisticated understanding of the WASH-climate nexus and the need for systemic capacity building. The UNDP expects applicants to go beyond simple training to foster institutional change, including policy updates, improved budget allocations, and cross-departmental coordination. The call also emphasizes the use of data and evidence for decision-making, encouraging applicants to incorporate baseline assessments and real-time monitoring. The integration of climate adaptation into WASH planning is a critical outcome, with indicators such as the number of climate-resilient WASH plans developed or updated. This grant represents a significant opportunity for organizations to contribute to sustainable urban development while building their own expertise and partnerships.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations that operate at the intersection of urban development, water and sanitation, and climate adaptation. Primary applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), national NGOs, research institutions, universities, and social enterprises with demonstrated expertise in capacity building for urban WASH and climate resilience. Municipal authorities and local government agencies may also apply, particularly if they partner with technical organizations. The UNDP encourages consortia that bring together complementary skills, such as technical WASH engineering, climate science, community engagement, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation. Organizations must have a physical presence or established partnerships in the target municipalities to ensure contextual relevance and sustainability. Eligible entities must have a proven track record of implementing similar capacity-building programs in urban settings, with at least five years of experience in WASH or climate change adaptation. They should possess technical expertise in integrated water resource management, climate risk assessment, and participatory governance. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate financial stability, with annual budgets exceeding $1 million and audited financial statements for the past two years. Organizations must be legally registered in the country of operation and comply with UNDP’s zero-tolerance policy on fraud, corruption, and sexual exploitation. Partnerships with local universities or research institutes are highly encouraged to ensure the capacity-building content is locally relevant and evidence-based. Finally, applicants must have a gender-sensitive and socially inclusive approach, with policies ensuring the participation of women, youth, and marginalized communities in all project activities.

Priorities

The UNDP’s global priorities for this call are centered on achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals through an integrated WASH-climate resilience lens. Specifically, the donor seeks to support urban municipalities in developing and implementing capacity-building programs that enhance the technical, managerial, and financial capabilities of local stakeholders. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include the number of municipal staff trained in climate-resilient WASH planning, the percentage of trainees who apply new skills within six months, and the number of integrated WASH-climate risk assessments conducted. The donor also prioritizes initiatives that strengthen institutional frameworks, such as updating building codes, zoning regulations, and water safety plans to incorporate climate risks. Additionally, the UNDP emphasizes the importance of leveraging innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds, climate funds, or public-private partnerships, to ensure the long-term sustainability of WASH services. The call encourages the use of nature-based solutions (e.g., green roofs, permeable pavements, constructed wetlands) and low-carbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in digital tools for monitoring, data collection, and decision-support is also a priority, as these can enhance the efficiency and accountability of WASH services. Another critical focus is on vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by poor WASH services and climate impacts. Proposals must include specific actions to address the unique needs of these groups, such as designing gender-responsive training modules or establishing women-led water committees. From a spatial perspective, the UNDP prioritizes urban municipalities in least developed countries (LDCs), small island developing states (SIDS), and conflict-affected areas, where the need for integrated WASH and climate resilience is most acute. Financial audits will assess the cost-effectiveness of proposed activities, with a preference for programs that demonstrate a high return on investment in terms of social, environmental, and economic benefits. The call also expects applicants to adhere to the UNDP’s environmental and social safeguards, which require thorough impact assessments and mitigation plans.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this UNDP grant is governed by strict financial, spatial, and corporate legal requirements. From a financial perspective, applicants must demonstrate that they can manage funds responsibly, with a proven track record of implementing projects of at least $500,000. Audited financial statements for the last two fiscal years are mandatory, and organizations with significant funding from other UNDP projects may face conflict-of-interest checks. The donor requires co-financing of at least 10% of the total project cost, which can be in-kind contributions such as staff time, office space, or equipment. Indirect costs (overhead) are capped at 7% of direct costs, except for local NGOs where the cap is 10%. Spatially, the grant targets urban municipalities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million, located in countries eligible for official development assistance (ODA). The UNDP prioritizes secondary cities that are experiencing rapid urbanization and are highly vulnerable to climate impacts such as floods, droughts, or heatwaves. Applicants must provide a clear rationale for selecting the target municipality, including a baseline assessment of WASH coverage, climate risks, and institutional capacity. The project must be implemented within the municipal boundaries, with potential for scale-up to neighboring areas. Corporate legal eligibility requires that the applicant organization be legally registered in the country of operation, with a valid registration certificate and tax clearance. For international NGOs, a local partnership with a registered entity is mandatory. The UNDP will conduct due diligence checks, including anti-terrorism screening and verification of the organization’s governance structure. Applicants must have a board of directors or equivalent governing body, with at least 50% independent members. Additionally, the organization must have a documented policy on anti-fraud, anti-corruption, and whistleblower protection. Any history of sanctions, debarment, or mismanagement will be grounds for immediate disqualification. Finally, the applicant must submit a signed declaration of compliance with the UNDP’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which covers labor rights, environmental standards, and ethical behavior.

Path to Success

To secure this UNDP grant, applicants must follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training to build proposal writing and project management capacity. Step 1: Conduct a Preliminary Landscape Analysis. Before drafting the proposal, conduct a thorough needs assessment in the target municipality, including a review of existing WASH infrastructure, climate vulnerability, and stakeholder capacity. Use GSLI’s 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Public Health & Epidemiology' courses to ensure your team understands the latest technical standards and health impacts. Engage local authorities, water utilities, and community leaders early to validate findings and build buy-in. This phase should produce a baseline report that will form the foundation of your proposal. Step 2: Design the Capacity-Building Framework. Based on the landscape analysis, develop a comprehensive training curriculum that covers climate-resilient WASH planning, financial management, and monitoring. Use GSLI’s 'Project Management for Development' and 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' courses to structure your program effectively. Ensure the curriculum includes practical exercises, case studies, and field visits to demonstrate integration of climate adaptation. Establish a monitoring framework with clear KPIs, such as number of participants trained, post-training competency assessments, and behavior change indicators. Include a theory of change that links training to improved WASH services and climate resilience. Step 3: Build a Strong Consortium. Partner with organizations that bring complementary strengths, such as a local NGO for community mobilization, a university for research and technical assistance, and a private sector partner for technology or financing. Draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that outlines roles, responsibilities, and cost-sharing arrangements. Ensure all consortium members have relevant experience and can contribute to the capacity-building goals. Use GSLI’s 'Writing Winning Proposals' and 'Grants Management' courses to learn how to articulate consortium strengths and manage the grant effectively. Step 4: Develop the Proposal with a Focus on Sustainability. Write a compelling proposal that clearly addresses the UNDP’s priorities, including gender equality, innovation, and sustainability. Use GSLI’s 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' courses to develop a realistic budget and demonstrate long-term financial viability. Include a sustainability plan that outlines how capacity-building gains will be maintained after the grant ends, such as through peer-to-peer learning networks or local training institutions. Review the proposal for compliance with UNDP’s requirements, including environmental and social safeguards, risk management, and monitoring frameworks. Submit the proposal well before the deadline to allow for any last-minute revisions.

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Deadline: 2026-09-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal