UNICEF Global Call for Proposals: WASH in Schools Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening

The UNICEF Global Call for Proposals on WASH in Schools Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening is a flagship opportunity for organizations dedicated to improving the health and educational outcomes of children worldwide. With a deadline of August 30, 2026, this call seeks to address the persistent gap in water, sanitation, and hygiene services in schools, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to UNICEF's 2023 report, 1 in 5 schools globally lack basic water services, affecting over 570 million children. The call is part of UNICEF's broader commitment under the 'Sanitation and Water for All' initiative, targeting systemic solutions that go beyond infrastructure to include policy development, institutional capacity, and behavior change. Proposals must demonstrate a clear theory of change, linking WASH improvements to reduced disease burden, increased school attendance, and improved educational attainment. The call prioritizes gender-responsive interventions, climate-resilient technologies, and innovative financing models. With a high urgency level, UNICEF expects rapid mobilization and a phased approach over 18-36 months. Budgets are flexible but typically range from $500,000 to $5 million, with a requirement for at least 15% co-financing from the applicant or partners. Successful proposals will showcase strong partnerships with local governments and civil society. GSLI's training courses can significantly enhance an organization's capacity to meet these requirements, providing skills in financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and procurement. Organizations responding to this call must be prepared for rigorous due diligence, including financial audits and site visits. The evaluation criteria prioritize technical soundness, sustainability, and alignment with national strategies. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers targeted guidance for UNICEF proposals, including tips on structuring the narrative, addressing donor priorities, and presenting a compelling budget. Additionally, the 'WASH' course provides technical depth on water quality testing, sanitation standards, and hygiene promotion frameworks. By leveraging these resources, applicants can craft a proposal that stands out in a competitive field.

Strategic Overview

The UNICEF Global Call for Proposals on WASH in Schools Capacity Building and Systems Strengthening is a flagship opportunity for organizations dedicated to improving the health and educational outcomes of children worldwide. With a deadline of August 30, 2026, this call seeks to address the persistent gap in water, sanitation, and hygiene services in schools, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to UNICEF's 2023 report, 1 in 5 schools globally lack basic water services, affecting over 570 million children. The call is part of UNICEF's broader commitment under the 'Sanitation and Water for All' initiative, targeting systemic solutions that go beyond infrastructure to include policy development, institutional capacity, and behavior change. Proposals must demonstrate a clear theory of change, linking WASH improvements to reduced disease burden, increased school attendance, and improved educational attainment. The call prioritizes gender-responsive interventions, climate-resilient technologies, and innovative financing models. With a high urgency level, UNICEF expects rapid mobilization and a phased approach over 18-36 months. Budgets are flexible but typically range from $500,000 to $5 million, with a requirement for at least 15% co-financing from the applicant or partners. Successful proposals will showcase strong partnerships with local governments and civil society. GSLI's training courses can significantly enhance an organization's capacity to meet these requirements, providing skills in financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and procurement. Organizations responding to this call must be prepared for rigorous due diligence, including financial audits and site visits. The evaluation criteria prioritize technical soundness, sustainability, and alignment with national strategies. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers targeted guidance for UNICEF proposals, including tips on structuring the narrative, addressing donor priorities, and presenting a compelling budget. Additionally, the 'WASH' course provides technical depth on water quality testing, sanitation standards, and hygiene promotion frameworks. By leveraging these resources, applicants can craft a proposal that stands out in a competitive field.

Who is it For?

This call is open to international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), research institutions, social enterprises, and private sector firms specializing in WASH infrastructure, education, and public health. Preference is given to consortia that combine technical expertise in water/sanitation engineering, behavior change communication, and education systems strengthening. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of five years of operational experience in low- and middle-income countries, with at least three years focused on WASH in Schools or related school health programs. Organizations must demonstrate legal registration in the country of operation, a robust financial management system audited by an independent auditor within the last two years, and proven compliance with UNICEF's accountability standards. Additionally, applicants with existing partnerships with Ministries of Education or Health are prioritized, as the call aims to align with national sector plans. GSLI's courses in WASH, Project Management for Development, and Monitoring & Evaluation equip organizations to meet these stringent eligibility criteria by enhancing technical competence and operational readiness.

Priorities

UNICEF's top priorities under this call include: (1) Strengthening institutional capacity for WASH in Schools at national and district levels, covering policy development, budgeting, and monitoring; (2) Promoting sustainable water supply and sanitation infrastructure in schools, including rainwater harvesting, water treatment, and gender-segregated toilets; (3) Enhancing hygiene behavior change through evidence-based interventions (e.g., handwashing with soap, menstrual hygiene management); (4) Integrating WASH in Schools into emergency preparedness and response frameworks; (5) Leveraging data and digital tools for real-time monitoring and evaluation. Key performance indicators include: percentage increase in schools with basic WASH services, reduction in waterborne diseases among schoolchildren, and number of teachers trained on WASH curriculum. The donor expects multi-sectoral collaboration, innovation in low-cost solutions, and measurable contributions to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Priority regions include Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and small island developing states, where WASH coverage gaps are widest. Organizations must demonstrate alignment with UNICEF's theory of change, which emphasizes child rights and equity.

Eligibility

Eligibility requires detailed evidence of financial, spatial, and legal capacity. Financially, organizations must submit audited financial statements for the last two fiscal years, showing operational budget of at least $500,000 annually and no history of fraud or mismanagement. A current ratio of at least 1.2 and debt-to-equity ratio below 0.5 are recommended. Spatially, applicants must have permanent offices or registered presence in the target implementation countries, with the ability to deploy field teams within 30 days of grant award. Legal documentation includes: certificate of incorporation, tax exemption status, non-profit registration (if applicable), and letters of support from relevant government ministries. Additionally, organizations must have a clear conflict-of-interest policy, child safeguarding policy, and anti-corruption policy in place. For consortia, the lead applicant must meet all eligibility criteria, and each partner must submit equivalent documentation. UNICEF may conduct pre-award assessments, including site visits and financial audits. GSLI's courses in Grants Management and Financial Management for NGOs help organizations prepare these compliance documents, ensuring audit readiness and adherence to donor standards.

Path to Success

To secure funding under this call, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap: Step 1: Conduct a rigorous gap analysis of existing WASH in Schools programs in target regions, using UNICEF's WASH in Schools Monitoring Package as a baseline. Identify bottlenecks in infrastructure, behavior change, and institutional capacity. Step 2: Form a consortium with complementary partners—e.g., a water engineering firm, a behavior change NGO, and a research institute—to cover all technical areas. Ensure each partner has a track record in the target country. Step 3: Develop a detailed proposal that aligns with UNICEF's six priority areas, incorporating innovative approaches like IoT sensors for water quality monitoring or gamified hygiene education. Include a robust theory of change with clear causal linkages. Step 4: Strengthen organizational capacity through GSLI training: e.g., take the 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design indicator frameworks and 'Financial Management for NGOs' to present a transparent budget. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course can refine the proposal narrative, while 'Procurement & Supply Chain' ensures efficient resource use. Additionally, engage in pre-bid consultations with UNICEF country offices to align with local priorities. After submission, prepare for due diligence by having all eligibility documents ready. Post-award, use GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' to implement with fidelity, and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' for co-financing. Success hinges on demonstrating systemic impact, scalability, and sustainability.

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Deadline: 2026-08-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal