USAID RFP: Institutional Strengthening for Water Security and Sanitation Governance in the Sahel

The USAID Institutional Strengthening for Water Security and Sanitation Governance in the Sahel RFP is a high-impact funding call aimed at addressing the acute water and sanitation crisis in the Sahel region. This region, encompassing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, faces extreme water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanization, and weak institutional capacity. USAID is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement a multi-year program that strengthens the governance, financial management, and technical capacity of local and national institutions responsible for water and sanitation services. The call emphasizes a paradigm shift from infrastructure-focused projects to sustainable governance models, where local entities can independently manage, finance, and regulate WASH services. Key components include institutional assessments, tailored capacity building, policy reform support, and community engagement. The program also integrates cross-cutting themes of gender equality, social inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and climate adaptation. With a deadline of August 30, 2026, this is a medium-term opportunity, but success requires immediate mobilization to form consortia, conduct needs assessments, and design a robust technical approach. The total funding is expected to be substantial, with individual awards ranging from $10 million to $50 million over 3-5 years. Eligible applicants include NGOs, private sector firms, research institutions, and international organizations. The U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 6 provide the strategic backdrop. This overview underscores the massive opportunity and the rigorous preparation needed. Organizations that invest in targeted training from GSLI in WASH, M&E, financial management, and proposal writing will be better positioned to meet USAID’s stringent requirements. The transformative potential for millions of people in the Sahel makes this a compelling opportunity for any development actor.

Strategic Overview

The USAID Institutional Strengthening for Water Security and Sanitation Governance in the Sahel RFP is a high-impact funding call aimed at addressing the acute water and sanitation crisis in the Sahel region. This region, encompassing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, faces extreme water scarcity exacerbated by climate change, rapid urbanization, and weak institutional capacity. USAID is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement a multi-year program that strengthens the governance, financial management, and technical capacity of local and national institutions responsible for water and sanitation services. The call emphasizes a paradigm shift from infrastructure-focused projects to sustainable governance models, where local entities can independently manage, finance, and regulate WASH services. Key components include institutional assessments, tailored capacity building, policy reform support, and community engagement. The program also integrates cross-cutting themes of gender equality, social inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and climate adaptation. With a deadline of August 30, 2026, this is a medium-term opportunity, but success requires immediate mobilization to form consortia, conduct needs assessments, and design a robust technical approach. The total funding is expected to be substantial, with individual awards ranging from $10 million to $50 million over 3-5 years. Eligible applicants include NGOs, private sector firms, research institutions, and international organizations. The U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy and Sustainable Development Goal 6 provide the strategic backdrop. This overview underscores the massive opportunity and the rigorous preparation needed. Organizations that invest in targeted training from GSLI in WASH, M&E, financial management, and proposal writing will be better positioned to meet USAID’s stringent requirements. The transformative potential for millions of people in the Sahel makes this a compelling opportunity for any development actor.

Who is it For?

This opportunity is specifically designed for a diverse array of organizations that have demonstrated expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) governance and institutional capacity building. Eligible applicants include: (1) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) both international and local, with a proven track record in the Sahel region; (2) Private sector entities, including consulting firms and water utilities, that can offer technical and managerial solutions; (3) Academic and research institutions that can contribute evidence-based approaches and training; (4) International organizations such as UN agencies or development banks; (5) Civil society organizations with grassroots connections for community engagement. A key requirement is that the lead applicant must demonstrate substantial experience in at least three of the following areas: institutional assessment, public financial management, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, or policy advocacy. USAID strongly encourages consortia or partnerships that include at least one local Sahelian organization as a co-applicant or subcontractor. The target beneficiaries are national and sub-national government agencies, regional water authorities, community-based organizations, and civil society. Successful applicants must have a physical presence or demonstrated capacity to operate in at least one Sahel country (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, or Senegal). Moreover, organizations should have a minimum annual operating budget of $1 million over the past three years and be legally registered in their country of operation. For-profit entities must demonstrate that the intervention is not for private gain and aligns with development objectives. This eligibility criteria ensures that only well-established, capable entities pursue this strategic funding.

Priorities

USAID’s global priorities for this RFP are deeply embedded in the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy (2022–2027) and the USAID Water and Development Plan. Specific investment KPIs include: increasing the number of people with sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities; strengthening water governance institutions to improve service delivery; and enhancing climate resilience of water resources. The donor expects measurable outcomes such as a 20% reduction in waterborne diseases in target areas, a 30% increase in local government budget execution for WASH, and a 50% improvement in water utility operational performance. Furthermore, the RFP prioritizes activities that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment—for instance, ensuring women hold at least 40% of leadership positions in water committees. Climate adaptation is another core pillar, with indicators like the number of water systems resilient to drought and flood risks. The donor also emphasizes cross-cutting themes of conflict sensitivity, particularly in regions with intercommunal tension. USAID seeks to advance locally led development, so proposals must articulate how local organizations are meaningfully involved in decision-making and implementation. Strategic partnerships with local governments are crucial to ensure sustainability post-project. The RFP also aligns with the U.S. National Security Strategy by addressing root causes of instability in the Sahel. Applicants should demonstrate how their technical approach integrates these priorities into measurable, time-bound targets. The donor places high importance on value for money, requiring cost-effectiveness analyses for proposed interventions. Additionally, innovation in digital technologies for WASH monitoring (smart meters, remote sensing) is encouraged. These priorities collectively ensure that funded projects are both strategically aligned and impactful.

Eligibility

Eligibility requires rigorous compliance with USAID’s financial, spatial, and corporate legal standards. Financially, applicants must demonstrate sound fiscal management through audited financial statements for the past three years, showing no material weakness or fraud incidents. The proposed budget must allocate at least 10% to monitoring and evaluation, with detailed cost breakdowns in local currency equivalents. The total grant amount typically ranges from $10 million to $50 million, but no ceiling is specified; however, cost sharing is encouraged but not required. Spatial eligibility mandates that activities must be implemented in designated Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, or Senegal) and specifically in regions with high water insecurity as defined by the Joint Monitoring Programme. Applicants must secure necessary permits for foreign and local operations, including registration with host government ministries. Corporate legal audits include proof of non-profit/tax-exempt status or equivalent for NGOs, articles of incorporation, and board resolutions authorizing the application. For international organizations, a country agreement with the host government is necessary. Additionally, applicants must not be listed on the U.S. government’s debarment list (SAM.gov) and must implement robust anti-terrorism vetting procedures for sub-grantees. A mandatory pre-award survey will assess organizational capacity in procurement, human resources, and internal controls. Applicants must also provide evidence of prior experience in the Sahel, such as program completion reports or references. The eligibility review also considers past performance on USAID awards, with a focus on meeting targets and compliance. Finally, organizations must have a demonstrated policy on gender equality and environmental safeguards. Meeting these comprehensive eligibility requirements is non-negotiable and requires meticulous preparation.

Path to Success

To win this USAID bid, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap integrating GSLI’s training to enhance their proposal. Step 1: Conduct a rapid institutional readiness assessment using GSLI’s 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' and 'Project Management for Development' courses to identify gaps in technical expertise and management systems. This involves mapping current capabilities against USAID’s evaluation criteria (30% technical approach, 20% organizational capacity, 20% past performance, 15% cost, 15% compliance). Step 2: Build a consortium that leverages complementary strengths. Use GSLI’s 'Procurement & Supply Chain' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' courses to train finance and logistics teams on USAID’s stringent compliance requirements. This step should include identifying local Sahelian partners and drafting memorandum of understanding that outline shared vision and risk management. Step 3: Develop a robust technical approach that integrates climate adaptation, gender equality, and conflict sensitivity. Enroll in GSLI’s 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' and 'Writing Winning Proposals' courses to design a logical framework with measurable indicators and an evidence-based narrative. This includes building a detailed implementation plan with milestones, a risk matrix, and a sustainability strategy. Step 4: Prepare a comprehensive budget and compliance documentation. Use GSLI’s 'Fundraising & Resource Mobilization' and 'Grants Management' courses to ensure the budget is cost-effective, allocates required percentages for M&E, and meets Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) standards. Also, conduct due diligence checks on all partner organizations to avoid debarment issues. Throughout this process, maintain close communication with USAID via a pre-proposal conference and leverage regional contacts. GSLI certification in these courses will not only strengthen the application but also demonstrate commitment to professional standards, increasing credibility. Success hinges on presenting a cohesive, evidence-based, and locally grounded proposal that clearly articulates institutional strengthening outcomes.

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Deadline: 2026-08-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal