Call for Proposals: Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery in Fragile Contexts

This UNICEF Call for Proposals is a landmark opportunity for organizations committed to advancing climate-resilient WASH services in the world’s most fragile settings. The call recognizes that climate change is not a future threat but a current reality that undermines water security and sanitation gains, particularly in conflict-affected regions. UNICEF seeks to move beyond short-term emergency responses by investing in the institutional capacity of local actors—governments, utilities, and community organizations—to plan, finance, and manage WASH services that can withstand climate shocks. The call is part of UNICEF’s broader Climate Action Plan and WASH Strategic Framework, which aims to integrate climate adaptation into all WASH investments. Proposals must demonstrate a clear understanding of the fragility context, including political instability, population displacement, and weak governance structures. They must also show how capacity-building activities will lead to measurable improvements in service sustainability and equity. The donor encourages innovative approaches such as performance-based financing, digital monitoring, and public-private partnerships. With a generous timeline until September 2026, applicants have the opportunity to develop thoughtful, evidence-based proposals that include robust stakeholder engagement and gender-sensitive designs. Organizations that lack in-house expertise in certain areas, such as climate risk assessments or M&E, can leverage GSLI’s specialized courses to fill gaps and strengthen their proposal’s credibility. The call is highly competitive, but those who invest in understanding UNICEF’s priorities and build strong consortia will stand out. Applicants are advised to start early by conducting a readiness assessment using UNICEF’s partner capacity tool. This will highlight strengths and weaknesses, allowing targeted improvements before submission. For instance, if an organization lacks a clear safeguarding policy, it can use GSLI's resources to draft one. Similarly, if the M&E framework is weak, the M&E course can help design indicator matrices and data collection plans. The overview also emphasizes the importance of aligning with national policies; hence, engaging with local WASH clusters and government line ministries is crucial. The call expects proposals to be holistic, covering technical, financial, and governance dimensions. Successful proposals will often include a component of learning and adaptation, where mid-course corrections are made based on monitoring data. This adaptive management approach is valued by UNICEF. GSLI’s Project Management course covers this in depth, teaching how to build feedback loops into project cycles. Finally, the overview reminds applicants that a strong narrative linking capacity investments to WASH outcomes is essential. Use of case studies from previous similar interventions can strengthen the proposal. In terms of budget, the proposal must be detailed and justified. UNICEF expects value for money, meaning that the cost per beneficiary should be reasonable and comparable to similar interventions. The capacity-building activities should be cost-effective, such as using cascade training models where master trainers train others. The budget should also include contingencies for currency fluctuations and inflation, as projects may extend over three years. GSLI’s Financial Management course provides guidance on preparing realistic budgets that meet donor standards. Overall, this overview underscores the need for meticulous preparation, strategic partnerships, and continuous learning—all of which GSLI can support through its courses.

Strategic Overview

This UNICEF Call for Proposals is a landmark opportunity for organizations committed to advancing climate-resilient WASH services in the world’s most fragile settings. The call recognizes that climate change is not a future threat but a current reality that undermines water security and sanitation gains, particularly in conflict-affected regions. UNICEF seeks to move beyond short-term emergency responses by investing in the institutional capacity of local actors—governments, utilities, and community organizations—to plan, finance, and manage WASH services that can withstand climate shocks. The call is part of UNICEF’s broader Climate Action Plan and WASH Strategic Framework, which aims to integrate climate adaptation into all WASH investments. Proposals must demonstrate a clear understanding of the fragility context, including political instability, population displacement, and weak governance structures. They must also show how capacity-building activities will lead to measurable improvements in service sustainability and equity. The donor encourages innovative approaches such as performance-based financing, digital monitoring, and public-private partnerships. With a generous timeline until September 2026, applicants have the opportunity to develop thoughtful, evidence-based proposals that include robust stakeholder engagement and gender-sensitive designs. Organizations that lack in-house expertise in certain areas, such as climate risk assessments or M&E, can leverage GSLI’s specialized courses to fill gaps and strengthen their proposal’s credibility. The call is highly competitive, but those who invest in understanding UNICEF’s priorities and build strong consortia will stand out. Applicants are advised to start early by conducting a readiness assessment using UNICEF’s partner capacity tool. This will highlight strengths and weaknesses, allowing targeted improvements before submission. For instance, if an organization lacks a clear safeguarding policy, it can use GSLI's resources to draft one. Similarly, if the M&E framework is weak, the M&E course can help design indicator matrices and data collection plans. The overview also emphasizes the importance of aligning with national policies; hence, engaging with local WASH clusters and government line ministries is crucial. The call expects proposals to be holistic, covering technical, financial, and governance dimensions. Successful proposals will often include a component of learning and adaptation, where mid-course corrections are made based on monitoring data. This adaptive management approach is valued by UNICEF. GSLI’s Project Management course covers this in depth, teaching how to build feedback loops into project cycles. Finally, the overview reminds applicants that a strong narrative linking capacity investments to WASH outcomes is essential. Use of case studies from previous similar interventions can strengthen the proposal. In terms of budget, the proposal must be detailed and justified. UNICEF expects value for money, meaning that the cost per beneficiary should be reasonable and comparable to similar interventions. The capacity-building activities should be cost-effective, such as using cascade training models where master trainers train others. The budget should also include contingencies for currency fluctuations and inflation, as projects may extend over three years. GSLI’s Financial Management course provides guidance on preparing realistic budgets that meet donor standards. Overall, this overview underscores the need for meticulous preparation, strategic partnerships, and continuous learning—all of which GSLI can support through its courses.

Who is it For?

This funding opportunity is designed for a diverse range of organizations that can demonstrate robust institutional capacity to implement climate-resilient WASH programs in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Primary target entities include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with a global footprint and regional experience in water, sanitation, and hygiene delivery. National NGOs based in target fragile countries (such as those in the Sahel, Horn of Africa, Middle East, and South Asia) are strongly encouraged, as they possess contextual knowledge and community trust. Academic and research institutions with applied WASH research portfolios and capacity-building track records are eligible, particularly those offering technical assistance in climate adaptation. Private sector firms specializing in WASH infrastructure, supply chain management, or water technology may also apply, especially if they demonstrate commitment to social impact. UNICEF seeks consortia led by a primary applicant (often an INGO) that includes local partners to ensure sustainability and localization. Funding will be awarded through a competitive process; applicants must show legal registration in their country of operation, audited financial statements for at least two years, and a governance structure that includes gender and safeguarding policies. Organizations with previous UNICEF agreements or those having passed the UN Common Supplier Assessment are at an advantage. The call explicitly excludes individuals, government agencies (unless as partners), and entities subject to UN sanctions. Successful applicants will possess at least five years of WASH programming experience in fragile contexts, with documented outcomes in institutional capacity strengthening. GSLI's courses in WASH, Procurement, and Grants Management can help organizations meet these stringent requirements by improving their compliance and technical expertise.

Priorities

UNICEF’s global priorities for this call revolve around institutional resilience, climate adaptation integration, and sustained WASH service delivery in fragile contexts. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Number of local institutions (government departments, utilities, community-based organizations) that demonstrate improved capacity in climate-resilient WASH planning and budgeting. (2) Percentage of target populations (particularly women, children, and marginalized groups) with sustained access to safely managed water and sanitation services over a minimum three-year period post-intervention. (3) Reduction in WASH system disruptions due to climate shocks (droughts, floods, cyclones) measured through service continuity indices. (4) Adoption of climate risk-informed asset management frameworks by at least 80% of partner institutions. (5) Integration of gender and disability inclusion in all capacity-building activities, with at least 50% of trained personnel being women. The donor also prioritizes alignment with national WASH policies and climate adaptation plans, ensuring local ownership. Proposals must demonstrate a clear link between capacity investments and service delivery outcomes, using performance metrics such as water quality compliance rates, sanitation facility functionality, and handwashing prevalence. UNICEF emphasizes value for money, requiring detailed cost-efficiency analyses showing least-cost approaches to capacity development (e.g., cascade training, on-site coaching). Innovation in financing mechanisms—like community-managed revolving funds for maintenance—is highly valued. Additionally, proposals should incorporate digital solutions for monitoring (e.g., mobile data collection, GIS mapping) and knowledge management. GSLI’s courses in Monitoring & Evaluation and Financial Management for NGOs directly help applicants design robust M&E frameworks and demonstrate cost-effectiveness, aligning with these KPIs.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this UNICEF call is comprehensive and requires meticulous compliance. Applicants must be legally constituted entities (e.g., non-profit, for-profit, academic) registered in a country where UNICEF operates. A certificate of registration and proof of non-profit status (if applicable) is mandatory. Financial eligibility requires submission of audited financial statements for the past two fiscal years, demonstrating sound financial health and no outstanding audit queries. The organization must have a bank account in its own name capable of receiving international wire transfers. Operational eligibility includes at least five years of demonstrable experience in WASH service delivery in fragile or conflict-affected settings, evidenced by project reports, evaluations, and references. Organizations must have a clear organizational structure with defined roles, safeguarding policies (including PSEA – Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), and gender equality policies. They must also have a functional procurement system compliant with external donor standards (e.g., dual signature, competitive bidding). Spatial eligibility requires presence or ability to operate in target fragile countries, with preference given to organizations with established field offices. Applicants must not be on any UN sanctions list or engaged in prohibited activities. Consortia are allowed but must designate a lead partner with overall accountability; each consortium member must meet individual eligibility. For private sector entities, additional requirements include proven corporate social responsibility programs and environmental sustainability commitments. Submission of a due diligence questionnaire and capacity assessment matrix is required as part of the application. GSLI’s courses in Project Management for Development and Procurement & Supply Chain help organizations strengthen these systems, improving eligibility scores. Moreover, the Writing Winning Proposals course assists in articulating compliance with complex eligibility criteria.

Path to Success

Strategic Roadmap with GSLI Integration Step 1: Pre-Proposal Capacity Assessment and Gap Analysis (Months 1-2) Begin by conducting a thorough institutional audit against UNICEF’s eligibility criteria. Evaluate your organization’s WASH technical expertise, climate adaptation experience, financial management systems, and M&E frameworks. Identify gaps in areas such as safeguarding policies, procurement processes, and climate risk integration. Enroll key staff in GSLI’s 'Grants Management' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' courses to strengthen financial compliance and reporting capabilities. Use GSLI’s 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to train proposal teams on donor-specific language and results frameworks. This step ensures that your organization presents a robust, compliant profile that meets UNICEF’s stringent due diligence requirements. Step 2: Strategic Partnership and Consortia Building (Months 2-4) Given UNICEF’s preference for localization, form a consortium with local partners in target fragile countries. Seek partners with strong community ties and proven capacity in climate-resilient WASH. Formalize agreements, clearly defining roles, budget shares, and accountability. GSLI’s 'Project Management for Development' course provides tools for consortium governance, risk sharing, and communication. Simultaneously, engage with UNICEF country offices to understand contextual priorities and align your proposal with national WASH and climate plans. Participate in pre-bid conferences to clarify technical requirements. This collaborative approach enhances credibility and demonstrates localization alignment. Step 3: Technical Proposal Development with GSLI Integration (Months 4-6) Draft the technical proposal emphasizing institutional capacity strengthening components. Use a theory of change that connects training, mentoring, and system strengthening to improved WASH service outcomes. Incorporate climate adaptation measures such as climate-proof infrastructure designs and community-based early warning systems. GSLI’s 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' course provides up-to-date technical knowledge on climate-resilient approaches, while the 'Public Health & Epidemiology' course helps frame health impact metrics. Develop a detailed M&E plan with baseline, milestones, and learning loops, informed by GSLI’s 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course. Ensure gender and disability inclusion are mainstreamed. Step 4: Budget, Compliance, and Final Submission (Months 6-8) Prepare a value-for-money budget that aligns with UNICEF’s cost principles. Include budget notes explaining cost assumptions and efficiency measures. Double-check all compliance documents: registration, audits, policies, and partner agreements. Use GSLI’s 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to ensure budget lines are realistic and auditable. Conduct a final peer review using GSLI’s proposal writing checklists. Submit before the deadline, retaining copies. After submission, debrief the team and, regardless of outcome, seek feedback to improve future applications. This systematic, GSLI-integrated approach increases the likelihood of success by building institutional capacity at every stage."

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Deadline: 2026-09-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal