USAID Integrated WASH and Health Systems Strengthening Activity in the Sahel

The USAID Integrated WASH and Health Systems Strengthening Activity in the Sahel represents a transformative opportunity to address interconnected development challenges in one of the world's most vulnerable regions. This initiative targets the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, where lack of access to safe water and sanitation contributes to high mortality rates, especially among children under five, and weakens the overall capacity of health systems to provide quality care. Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of death, and health facilities often lack basic amenities such as safe water for handwashing and sterilization. The activity recognizes that sustainable health outcomes cannot be achieved without addressing the underlying environmental determinants of health. Under this solicitation, USAID will fund consortia that propose integrated interventions: construction or rehabilitation of water supply systems, latrines, and handwashing stations in health facilities, schools, and communities; behavior change communication to promote hygiene practices; strengthening of health system governance, including supply chains for WASH commodities, health worker training, and disease surveillance; and capacity building of local governments and communities to manage and maintain these systems. The activity emphasizes resilience to climate change and conflict, requiring innovative solutions such as solar-powered water pumps, rainwater harvesting, and climate-adaptive sanitation technologies. Gender equality and social inclusion are central: activities must target the specific needs of women, girls, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. Applicants must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Sahel's complex socio-political dynamics, including the presence of violent extremist groups, humanitarian crises, and weak institutional capacity. The proposal should outline a clear theory of change linking WASH improvements to health outcomes, with strong evidence from previous projects. Budgets should be realistic and cost-effective, with a clear narrative explaining how funds will be allocated across activities. GSLI's training courses directly support organizations in crafting competitive proposals that meet USAID's rigorous standards.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Integrated WASH and Health Systems Strengthening Activity in the Sahel represents a transformative opportunity to address interconnected development challenges in one of the world's most vulnerable regions. This initiative targets the Sahelian countries of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, where lack of access to safe water and sanitation contributes to high mortality rates, especially among children under five, and weakens the overall capacity of health systems to provide quality care. Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of death, and health facilities often lack basic amenities such as safe water for handwashing and sterilization. The activity recognizes that sustainable health outcomes cannot be achieved without addressing the underlying environmental determinants of health. Under this solicitation, USAID will fund consortia that propose integrated interventions: construction or rehabilitation of water supply systems, latrines, and handwashing stations in health facilities, schools, and communities; behavior change communication to promote hygiene practices; strengthening of health system governance, including supply chains for WASH commodities, health worker training, and disease surveillance; and capacity building of local governments and communities to manage and maintain these systems. The activity emphasizes resilience to climate change and conflict, requiring innovative solutions such as solar-powered water pumps, rainwater harvesting, and climate-adaptive sanitation technologies. Gender equality and social inclusion are central: activities must target the specific needs of women, girls, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups. Applicants must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Sahel's complex socio-political dynamics, including the presence of violent extremist groups, humanitarian crises, and weak institutional capacity. The proposal should outline a clear theory of change linking WASH improvements to health outcomes, with strong evidence from previous projects. Budgets should be realistic and cost-effective, with a clear narrative explaining how funds will be allocated across activities. GSLI's training courses directly support organizations in crafting competitive proposals that meet USAID's rigorous standards.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is primarily designed for a diverse range of organizations including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local/national NGOs, private sector companies (especially those specializing in WASH infrastructure, health logistics, or technology), universities and research institutions, and public international organizations (PIOs). USAID strongly encourages applications from consortia that leverage complementary expertise and demonstrate meaningful partnership with local entities to build long-term sustainability. Key recipient profiles must include proven experience in WASH programming (e.g., construction of boreholes, latrines, water treatment systems), health systems strengthening (e.g., health workforce training, supply chain management, disease surveillance), and community engagement in fragile contexts. Organizations must have a physical presence or demonstrated ability to operate in at least one Sahelian country, with strong preference for those with existing relationships with host governments and communities. Additionally, recipients must possess financial management systems that align with USAID's 2 CFR 200 guidelines and be capable of managing multi-million-dollar awards with rigorous reporting requirements. For example, a consortium might consist of an INGO with global WASH expertise, a local NGO with deep community trust, a university specializing in epidemiology, and a private firm with low-cost water filtration technology. GSLI's courses in 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' and 'Writing Winning Proposals' are highly relevant for smaller local NGOs seeking to strengthen their applications and partnership value.

Priorities

USAID's priorities for this activity are multifaceted and aligned with several global frameworks. First, the donor emphasizes cross-sectoral integration: WASH interventions must be explicitly linked to health outcomes, such as reducing waterborne diseases, improving maternal and child health, and enhancing nutrition. Proposals should demonstrate how clean water access reduces clinic visits for diarrhea and allows health workers to focus on other diseases. Second, USAID prioritizes resilience and sustainability in the Sahel, meaning projects must address climate adaptation (e.g., drought-resistant water sources) and strengthen local governance of water and health services. Third, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) are non-negotiable: activities must specifically target women, girls, persons with disabilities, and displaced populations. For instance, ensure that water points are designed with female users in mind (e.g., safe, accessible) and that women lead community health committees. Fourth, USAID invests in 'operationalizing' the USAID Sahel Regional Strategy, which calls for shock-responsive systems that can withstand conflict and climate shocks. Fifth, the activity should demonstrate how it contributes to USAID's 'Journey to Self-Reliance' by building host-country capacities to eventually manage WASH and health systems without external aid. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include reductions in under-5 mortality from diarrhea (target: 20% in 5 years), increased percentage of population using safely managed water (target: 30%), and improved health system scores on WHO's building blocks. GSLI's 'Public Health & Epidemiology' course directly supports designing evidence-based interventions that achieve these KPIs.

Eligibility

Eligibility for this USAID activity is broad but requires careful compliance with both U.S. government regulations and host-country laws. Eligible applicants include U.S. and non-U.S. organizations, but all must be legally registered and in good standing with relevant authorities. Key financial and corporate legal audits include: (1) SAM.gov registration and active status, with no active exclusions or debarments; (2) compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Federal Awards), including financial audits (single audit for entities expending >$750,000 in federal awards annually); (3) possession of a DUNS number (or now UEI) and an active NCAGE code for international entities; (4) demonstrated indirect cost rate negotiated or provisional; (5) for in-country partners, proof of registration with the host government (e.g., Ministry of Interior or NGO bureau); (6) anti-terrorism certifications and screening against OFAC sanctions lists; (7) ability to comply with USAID's branding and marking requirements for all public-facing materials. Spatial audits require evidence that proposed intervention zones are accessible, safe, and not under control of sanctioned groups. For conflict-affected areas like northern Mali or the Lake Chad basin, applicants must submit a detailed security plan and demonstrate local acceptance. Additionally, USAID requires a Environmental Threshold Decision (ETD) and/or Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for WASH infrastructure, so applicants must have or contract environmental experts. Cost sharing of at least 10% (for non-profit) or 25% (for for-profit) is expected unless waived. GSLI's 'Grants Management' course ensures that applicants understand these compliance requirements thoroughly.

Path to Success

To secure this grant and maximize implementation success, applicants should follow a strategic roadmap that integrates GSLI's training offerings at key milestones. Step 1: Partner Identification & Consortium Formation (Months 1-3). Given the complexity, form a consortium that covers all technical areas: WASH engineering, public health, community mobilization, M&E, and financial management. Use GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course to strengthen the consortium's supply chain plan for materials. Step 2: Needs Assessment & Co-Design (Months 4-6). Conduct rapid assessments in specific Sahelian localities (e.g., Ouagadougou's peri-urban zones, rural Niger). Involve local government and community members, with GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course helping to design baseline surveys that capture USAID's KPIs. Also attend GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' workshop to craft a compelling narrative aligned with the solicitation's evaluation criteria (technical approach, management plan, past performance, cost). Step 3: Proposal Development & Compliance (Months 7-9). Draft sections methodically: technical narrative (15-20 pages), management plan (5-7 pages), past performance (3-5 pages), budget and budget narrative (10-15 pages). Use GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course to ensure the budget is realistic, allocable, and includes all required cost elements (e.g., fringe benefits, travel, equipment, indirect costs). Also ensure alignment with the USAID ADS and include a detailed risk register. Step 4: Submission & Pre-Award Preparations (Month 10). Submit through grants.gov and ensure all forms (SF-424, SF-424A, etc.) are signed. After submission, prepare for possible negotiations and pre-award surveys. GSLI's 'Grants Management' course covers the post-submission process, including how to respond to questions from the agreement officer. Throughout all stages, GSLI's bespoke training 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' provides the technical depth needed for the WASH component, while 'Public Health & Epidemiology' aligns with health systems strengthening. This integrated approach increases the probability of success by addressing all evaluation criteria comprehensively.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Deadline: 2026-07-20

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal