UNICEF Global WASH Systems Strengthening Partnership 2026-2031

The UNICEF Global WASH Systems Strengthening Partnership 2026-2031 is a groundbreaking initiative designed to fundamentally transform the way WASH services are delivered and sustained in low- and middle-income countries. With a total investment envelope of approximately USD 3.5 billion over five years, this partnership aims to reach at least 50 million people with safe water and 30 million with adequate sanitation, while embedding hygiene behaviors in communities. The call for proposals is open to a wide range of organizations—from large INGOs to small community-based groups—but requires a consortium approach to ensure complementary skills and coverage. The partnership is not just about building infrastructure; it is about strengthening the entire system: policy, financing, regulation, service delivery, and demand generation. Central to the partnership is the concept of 'WASH systems strengthening', which means addressing root causes of failure such as weak institutions, lack of accountability, and insufficient local capacity. UNICEF expects proposals to outline how they will work with national and local governments to develop WASH master plans, establish regulatory frameworks, and create enabling environments for private sector participation. Climate resilience is mandatory: all interventions must consider current and future climate risks, using green technologies like solar pumps and nature-based solutions for water treatment. Gender and social inclusion are equally critical: proposals must demonstrate how they will empower women, girls, and marginalized groups in WASH decision-making and benefit from improved services. The application deadline is September 1, 2026, with a two-stage process: concept note (max 10 pages) followed by a full proposal by invitation only. Successful consortia will be selected based on technical merit, management capacity, and financial health. Given the complexity, organizations are strongly advised to invest in capacity building now. GSLI's courses in WASH, Public Health, and Project Management provide the foundational knowledge needed to design a compelling proposal. Additionally, our 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers specific techniques for addressing donor requirements and demonstrating impact. By preparing early and systematically, bidders can significantly enhance their chances of securing this transformative partnership.

Strategic Overview

The UNICEF Global WASH Systems Strengthening Partnership 2026-2031 is a groundbreaking initiative designed to fundamentally transform the way WASH services are delivered and sustained in low- and middle-income countries. With a total investment envelope of approximately USD 3.5 billion over five years, this partnership aims to reach at least 50 million people with safe water and 30 million with adequate sanitation, while embedding hygiene behaviors in communities. The call for proposals is open to a wide range of organizations—from large INGOs to small community-based groups—but requires a consortium approach to ensure complementary skills and coverage. The partnership is not just about building infrastructure; it is about strengthening the entire system: policy, financing, regulation, service delivery, and demand generation. Central to the partnership is the concept of 'WASH systems strengthening', which means addressing root causes of failure such as weak institutions, lack of accountability, and insufficient local capacity. UNICEF expects proposals to outline how they will work with national and local governments to develop WASH master plans, establish regulatory frameworks, and create enabling environments for private sector participation. Climate resilience is mandatory: all interventions must consider current and future climate risks, using green technologies like solar pumps and nature-based solutions for water treatment. Gender and social inclusion are equally critical: proposals must demonstrate how they will empower women, girls, and marginalized groups in WASH decision-making and benefit from improved services. The application deadline is September 1, 2026, with a two-stage process: concept note (max 10 pages) followed by a full proposal by invitation only. Successful consortia will be selected based on technical merit, management capacity, and financial health. Given the complexity, organizations are strongly advised to invest in capacity building now. GSLI's courses in WASH, Public Health, and Project Management provide the foundational knowledge needed to design a compelling proposal. Additionally, our 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers specific techniques for addressing donor requirements and demonstrating impact. By preparing early and systematically, bidders can significantly enhance their chances of securing this transformative partnership.

Who is it For?

This partnership is designed for consortia comprising international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with proven WASH experience, national NGOs with deep community roots, UN agencies with technical mandate, academic institutions specializing in water research, and private sector firms offering innovative technologies or financing. Eligible lead applicants must have an annual budget exceeding USD 50 million, at least ten years of WASH programming in low-income settings, and a registered presence in the target country. Sub-grantees may include smaller local CSOs, female-led organizations, and youth groups, but the consortium lead must demonstrate fiduciary capacity to manage multi-million-dollar grants. Priority will be given to organizations with a track record in systems strengthening—going beyond infrastructure to policy advocacy, tariff regulation, and market facilitation. Applicants must show experience in at least three of these areas: climate-smart water supply, sanitation marketing, hygiene behavior change, WASH in schools, and emergency WASH. Additionally, consortia should include a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) partner capable of deploying digital data collection tools, GIS mapping, and real-time dashboards. UNICEF expects the lead organization to have a global footprint with country offices in two or more regions, enabling cross-learning and scale-up. GSLI courses like 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' equip teams with the specialized knowledge to design robust M&E frameworks and ensure compliance with UNICEF's reporting standards, thereby enhancing bid competitiveness.

Priorities

UNICEF's priorities for this partnership revolve around achieving universal and equitable access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene by 2030, with specific focus on the most vulnerable children and communities. Key investment KPIs include: increasing the proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services by 20% in target areas; reducing open defecation by 30% through community-led total sanitation (CLTS) and sanitation marketing; achieving 80% adherence to handwashing with soap at critical times; and ensuring 50% of schools and health facilities have basic WASH services. Climate resilience is a cross-cutting priority: at least 30% of WASH investments must incorporate climate adaptation measures such as solar-powered water pumps, rainwater harvesting, or groundwater recharge. Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) are mandatory; all interventions must address menstrual hygiene management and involve women and girls in decision-making. Furthermore, UNICEF prioritizes sustainability through systems strengthening—supporting local governments to develop WASH master plans, establishing cost-recovery tariffs, and building private sector capacity for maintenance. Digital transformation is another key pillar: proposals should include mobile-based monitoring, smart water meters, and data analytics to track performance. Partners are expected to contribute at least 20% co-financing from other sources, demonstrating leverage. GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' courses prepare organizations to develop robust co-financing strategies and align with these donor priorities.

Eligibility

Eligibility is strictly defined across financial, spatial, and corporate legal dimensions. Financially, the lead applicant must submit audited financial statements for the past three years, demonstrating a minimum annual turnover of USD 50 million and a current ratio (current assets/current liabilities) above 1.5. A debt-to-equity ratio below 1.0 is preferred. The organization must have a proven track record of managing grants of at least USD 10 million from bilateral or multilateral donors, with no major audit findings in the last five years. Spatially, the partnership targets countries classified as low-income or lower-middle-income by the World Bank, with priority for fragile and conflict-affected states. Proposals must focus on a defined geographic area (e.g., a region or district) and include a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the relevant national or sub-national government WASH ministry. Legally, the lead applicant must be a legally registered entity in its home country and in the target country, with valid registration under local NGO law. The organization must have a clear anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering policy, a child safeguarding policy, and a code of conduct. All consortium members must sign a partnership agreement outlining governance, financial flows, and intellectual property rights. Disclosure of any past convictions for fraud or corruption is mandatory. GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' and 'Grants Management' courses help organizations establish compliant procurement systems and financial controls, directly addressing donor due diligence requirements.

Path to Success

To secure funding under this partnership, organizations should follow a structured strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI training to build capacity at each step. Step 1: Conduct a readiness assessment and capacity gap analysis. Use GSLI's 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' course to update your technical knowledge on climate-resilient WASH, behavior change communication, and WASH in schools. Simultaneously, assess your organization’s financial management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and procurement systems against UNICEF requirements. Step 2: Build a strong consortium by identifying complementary partners—local NGOs for community engagement, a research institution for evidence generation, and a private sector provider for innovative solutions. Leverage GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to establish clear governance structures, risk management protocols, and communication plans among consortium members. Step 3: Develop a comprehensive proposal focusing on systems strengthening. Use GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to craft a compelling narrative that aligns with UNICEF's priorities: climate resilience, gender equality, and digital M&E. Incorporate innovative financing models such as blended finance (using GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course) to demonstrate sustainability and leverage. Ensure your M&E framework includes logframes with SMART indicators, baseline data, and a learning agenda. Step 4: Prepare for due diligence and negotiation. Strengthen your organization's procurement and grants management policies through GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' and 'Grants Management' courses to pass UNICEF's fiduciary checks. Finally, submit a cohesive proposal that highlights your consortium's track record, technical expertise, and commitment to systems strengthening. Post-submission, be prepared to participate in negotiation workshops to refine the partnership agreement. GSLI's comprehensive training programs—especially 'Public Health & Epidemiology' for understanding disease patterns and 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' for designing robust M&E systems—will significantly enhance your organization's credibility and capacity to deliver results under this prestigious partnership.

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Deadline: 2026-09-01

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal