UNICEF Global WASH Capacity Strengthening and Systems Building Grant 2026-2030

The UNICEF Global WASH Capacity Strengthening and Systems Building Grant 2026-2030 is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the systemic challenges that prevent sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services from reaching the most vulnerable populations. The grant recognizes that to achieve lasting impact, the focus must shift from short-term infrastructure projects to building the capacity of national and sub-national institutions that are responsible for planning, delivering, and regulating WASH services. This includes local governments, utilities, civil society organizations, and the private sector. By strengthening the skills, systems, and processes of these entities, UNICEF aims to create a foundation for continuous improvement and resilience against shocks like climate change and pandemics. This call for proposals is highly competitive, targeting organizations that can demonstrate a deep understanding of WASH systems and a track record in capacity development. The grant period is five years, from 2026 to 2030, and anticipates a total funding envelope that supports multiple projects across different countries. The deadline for proposals is July 30, 2026, and the urgency is high given the short timeline to prepare a comprehensive submission. Funding will be provided in annual tranches subject to satisfactory performance and reporting. The grant emphasizes a partnership approach, requiring collaboration with governments, other development partners, and local stakeholders. Key areas of intervention include governance and regulation, finance and budgeting, human resources development, and monitoring and evaluation. In addition to technical capacity, the grant places a strong emphasis on financial management and accountability. Applicants must have robust financial systems, past audit reports, and a commitment to transparency. The grant also requires a clear sustainability plan, demonstrating how capacity gains will be maintained after the funding ends. This includes securing government commitment to fund WASH capacity building from domestic resources. By investing in capacity strengthening, UNICEF hopes to create a multiplier effect, enabling local institutions to attract additional funding and improve service delivery across sectors. This overview underscores the depth and ambition of the grant opportunity and the need for proposers to present a compelling, evidence-based case for support.

Strategic Overview

The UNICEF Global WASH Capacity Strengthening and Systems Building Grant 2026-2030 is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the systemic challenges that prevent sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services from reaching the most vulnerable populations. The grant recognizes that to achieve lasting impact, the focus must shift from short-term infrastructure projects to building the capacity of national and sub-national institutions that are responsible for planning, delivering, and regulating WASH services. This includes local governments, utilities, civil society organizations, and the private sector. By strengthening the skills, systems, and processes of these entities, UNICEF aims to create a foundation for continuous improvement and resilience against shocks like climate change and pandemics. This call for proposals is highly competitive, targeting organizations that can demonstrate a deep understanding of WASH systems and a track record in capacity development. The grant period is five years, from 2026 to 2030, and anticipates a total funding envelope that supports multiple projects across different countries. The deadline for proposals is July 30, 2026, and the urgency is high given the short timeline to prepare a comprehensive submission. Funding will be provided in annual tranches subject to satisfactory performance and reporting. The grant emphasizes a partnership approach, requiring collaboration with governments, other development partners, and local stakeholders. Key areas of intervention include governance and regulation, finance and budgeting, human resources development, and monitoring and evaluation. In addition to technical capacity, the grant places a strong emphasis on financial management and accountability. Applicants must have robust financial systems, past audit reports, and a commitment to transparency. The grant also requires a clear sustainability plan, demonstrating how capacity gains will be maintained after the funding ends. This includes securing government commitment to fund WASH capacity building from domestic resources. By investing in capacity strengthening, UNICEF hopes to create a multiplier effect, enabling local institutions to attract additional funding and improve service delivery across sectors. This overview underscores the depth and ambition of the grant opportunity and the need for proposers to present a compelling, evidence-based case for support.

Who is it For?

This grant is designed for a broad range of eligible entities, including government agencies at national and sub-national levels, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutions, and private sector entities with a proven track record in WASH capacity strengthening. Priority will be given to consortia that demonstrate the ability to work across sectors and scales, integrating WASH with health, nutrition, education, and climate adaptation programs. Recipients must show not just technical expertise but also institutional capacity to manage large, multi-year funds, including procurement, financial reporting, and monitoring and evaluation systems aligned with UNICEF's standards. Organizations should have a presence in target countries, with established relationships with local governments and communities. Additionally, UNICEF values partnerships that promote local ownership, meaning the grant is particularly suitable for national and local organizations that can drive sustainable change. International NGOs may also apply but must exhibit genuine collaboration with local counterparts. The call encourages applications from consortia that leverage complementary strengths, such as one partner focusing on technical assistance and another on community mobilization. Eligibility also requires alignment with national WASH plans and policies, and a demonstrated ability to reach marginalized groups including women, children, and persons with disabilities. Applicants should be prepared to undergo a thorough due diligence process, including a review of financial systems, governance structures, and past performance. Overall, the grant is for organizations that are not just implementers but catalysts for systemic change in the WASH sector.

Priorities

UNICEF's global WASH priorities for this grant are anchored in its WASH Strategy 2021-2030, which emphasizes capacity strengthening as a core enabler for sustainable services and systems. Key investment KPIs include: (1) the number of national or sub-national institutions with strengthened capacity to plan, budget, monitor, and regulate WASH services; (2) improved service delivery indicators such as increased access to safely managed water and sanitation services in target areas; (3) enhanced resilience of WASH systems to climate shocks and disasters; (4) integration of gender and equity considerations in WASH policies and programs; and (5) increased domestic financing for WASH systems. Donors are particularly focused on ensuring that capacity investments translate into measurable improvements in service delivery, especially for the most vulnerable. They expect grantees to adopt a systems lens, working at multiple levels – policy, institutional, service delivery, and community – to create lasting change. Another priority is the use of data and evidence for adaptive management; proposals should outline how monitoring data will inform program adjustments and contribute to the global evidence base. Climate adaptation is a cross-cutting priority, with UNICEF seeking projects that address water scarcity, flooding, and water quality risks. Additionally, innovation in financing mechanisms, such as results-based financing or public-private partnerships, is highly valued. Grantees must also demonstrate a commitment to collaborative partnerships with governments, other development partners, and the private sector. Overall, the donor seeks proposals that offer a clear theory of change showing how capacity strengthening leads to sustainable services and systemic reform.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria for this grant are comprehensive to ensure that funded projects have the highest potential for success and sustainability. Firstly, legal entity requirements: applicants must be legally constituted organizations with a mandate relevant to WASH capacity strengthening. This includes government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and private sector companies. Government agencies must provide evidence of authorization to apply for external funding. Financial eligibility: organizations must have a proven track record of sound financial management, demonstrated through annual audits conducted by an independent auditor in accordance with international standards (e.g., ISA). They must have a minimum annual turnover that aligns with the scale of the grant (the call document may specify a threshold, e.g., $500,000). Additionally, organizations must have a functional accounting system that can track expenditures by budget line and provide timely financial reports. Spatial eligibility: projects must be implemented in countries where UNICEF has a WASH program; applicants should check the list of target countries in the call. However, regional or global projects may also be considered if they benefit multiple countries. Corporate legal audits: applicants must submit copies of registration certificates, articles of association, and proof of tax compliance. Any history of fraud, corruption, or mismanagement will disqualify. Technical eligibility: organizations must demonstrate at least five years of experience in WASH capacity strengthening, with at least two references from similar projects. Personnel qualifications: key staff, such as the Chief of Party and WASH specialists, must have advanced degrees and relevant experience. Furthermore, consortia must have a lead partner that meets the eligibility criteria and a clear partnership agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and risk-sharing mechanisms. All applicants must accept UNICEF's standard terms and conditions, including adherence to UNICEF's policies on child protection, gender equality, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Failure to meet any of these criteria can result in disqualification.

Path to Success

To secure this UNICEF grant and maximize impact, organizations should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's capacity-building courses to strengthen institutional readiness. Step 1: Pre-Proposal Readiness Assessment (Months 1-2). Conduct a thorough gap analysis of your organization's technical, financial, and managerial capacities against UNICEF's eligibility and evaluation criteria. This includes reviewing past audit reports, procurement systems, and M&E frameworks. Use GSLI's 'Grants Management' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' courses to train your finance and compliance teams on UNICEF's standards, ensuring accurate budgeting and reporting. This step is critical to identify weaknesses early and take corrective action. Step 2: Partnership Formation and Needs Assessment (Months 2-3). Identify and formalize a consortium of partners with complementary expertise and local presence. Reach out to local WASH sector actors, government agencies, and research institutions. Conduct a detailed needs assessment using participatory methods to define the capacity gaps at target institutions. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' courses can equip your team with tools for baseline assessments and indicator design. This collaborative approach ensures the proposal is grounded in local realities and builds ownership. Step 3: Proposal Development and Peer Review (Months 3-5). Draft the proposal using UNICEF's template, ensuring alignment with the country's WASH sector plan and UNICEF's strategic priorities. Highlight your theory of change, results framework, and sustainability plan. Include detailed budgets with narrative justifications. Engage GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to improve your writing team's skills in developing compelling narratives and logical frameworks. After the first draft, conduct a peer review with experts in WASH systems strengthening and financial management. Revise based on feedback. Ensure all required attachments (audits, CVs, partnership letters) are complete. Step 4: Submission and Post-Submission Engagement (Month 5 onward). Submit the proposal before the deadline. Follow up with UNICEF if allowed, and be prepared to answer clarifying questions. Meanwhile, continue capacity building using GSLI's 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' and 'Procurement & Supply Chain' courses to strengthen your organization's long-term sustainability. After submission, irrespective of the outcome, your team will have enhanced capacities for future grants.

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Deadline: 2026-07-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal