World Bank RFP: Strengthening Climate-Resilient Water Security and WASH Governance in the Horn of Africa

The World Bank has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a multi-year technical assistance program aimed at strengthening climate-resilient water security and WASH governance across the Horn of Africa, with a focus on Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. This RFP is part of the Bank's broader 'Water Security and Climate Resilience Program' (WSCRP), which has a total envelope of $450 million for the 2026-2031 period. The program targets increasing the capacity of local governments, water utilities, and community-based organizations to manage water resources under climate stress, improve WASH service delivery in drought-prone areas, and integrate climate adaptation into water sector planning. The RFP specifically seeks partners to provide training, technical assistance, and institutional strengthening in areas such as integrated water resource management, climate-resilient WASH infrastructure planning, financial management for water utilities, monitoring and evaluation of water security outcomes, and community engagement for behavioral change. The successful bidder will work closely with the World Bank's Water Global Practice, national ministries of water and environment, and local NGOs. The deadline for proposals is June 30, 2026, with a project implementation period of up to five years. This opportunity is highly strategic for organizations with expertise in WASH, climate adaptation, capacity building, and public financial management. Given the region's vulnerability to climate shocks and water scarcity, the program aligns closely with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Donors prioritize evidence-based interventions, gender-responsive approaches, and sustainability through local ownership. The RFP uses the World Bank's 'Selection Based on Qualifications and Technical Proposal' (QBS) method, with a technical threshold of 80%. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years of relevant experience, an annual operating budget of at least $10 million, and a legal presence in one of the target countries or a country with strong prior engagement. Consortia are encouraged, and local partners are essential for legitimacy and sustainability. The budget for this specific RFP is estimated at $50-70 million over five years, covering training, technical assistance, and small-scale infrastructure investments. The World Bank requires a robust M&E framework with baseline surveys and annual outcome assessments. Key themes include conflict-sensitive approaches, gender equality, and innovative financing mechanisms such as performance-based grants. The deadline is June 30, 2026, so interested organizations must act quickly to form consortia and prepare responsive proposals.

Strategic Overview

The World Bank has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a multi-year technical assistance program aimed at strengthening climate-resilient water security and WASH governance across the Horn of Africa, with a focus on Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. This RFP is part of the Bank's broader 'Water Security and Climate Resilience Program' (WSCRP), which has a total envelope of $450 million for the 2026-2031 period. The program targets increasing the capacity of local governments, water utilities, and community-based organizations to manage water resources under climate stress, improve WASH service delivery in drought-prone areas, and integrate climate adaptation into water sector planning. The RFP specifically seeks partners to provide training, technical assistance, and institutional strengthening in areas such as integrated water resource management, climate-resilient WASH infrastructure planning, financial management for water utilities, monitoring and evaluation of water security outcomes, and community engagement for behavioral change. The successful bidder will work closely with the World Bank's Water Global Practice, national ministries of water and environment, and local NGOs. The deadline for proposals is June 30, 2026, with a project implementation period of up to five years. This opportunity is highly strategic for organizations with expertise in WASH, climate adaptation, capacity building, and public financial management. Given the region's vulnerability to climate shocks and water scarcity, the program aligns closely with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Donors prioritize evidence-based interventions, gender-responsive approaches, and sustainability through local ownership. The RFP uses the World Bank's 'Selection Based on Qualifications and Technical Proposal' (QBS) method, with a technical threshold of 80%. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of five years of relevant experience, an annual operating budget of at least $10 million, and a legal presence in one of the target countries or a country with strong prior engagement. Consortia are encouraged, and local partners are essential for legitimacy and sustainability. The budget for this specific RFP is estimated at $50-70 million over five years, covering training, technical assistance, and small-scale infrastructure investments. The World Bank requires a robust M&E framework with baseline surveys and annual outcome assessments. Key themes include conflict-sensitive approaches, gender equality, and innovative financing mechanisms such as performance-based grants. The deadline is June 30, 2026, so interested organizations must act quickly to form consortia and prepare responsive proposals.

Who is it For?

Eligible applicants include international NGOs, consulting firms, academic institutions, and consortia with proven experience in WASH programming, climate adaptation, and institutional capacity building in fragile or conflict-affected states. The World Bank expects applicants to demonstrate a track record of working in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Horn of Africa region, and to have a minimum of five years of relevant experience. Key personnel must include experts in water resource management, financial management for water utilities, monitoring and evaluation, and community engagement. The prime applicant must have an annual operating budget of at least $10 million and a demonstrated ability to manage multi-donor funded projects of similar scale. Consortia are encouraged, but the lead partner must have a legal presence in one of the target countries or a country with a strong prior engagement in the region. Local partners—national NGOs, research institutes, or government agencies—are strongly recommended to enhance legitimacy and sustainability. The World Bank will assess organizational capacity based on past performance, financial stability, and compliance with the Bank's fiduciary standards, including anti-corruption and fraud prevention measures.

Priorities

The World Bank's global priorities for this RFP are anchored in its 'Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2030' and its 'Water Security Strategy 2025-2030'. The donor emphasizes integrated approaches that combine climate adaptation with water security and WASH service delivery. Key investment KPIs include: (1) Number of water utilities with climate-resilient business plans (target: 25 utilities across three countries), (2) Percentage reduction in water loss in target urban systems (target: 15% reduction), (3) Number of community water management committees trained in financial management and infrastructure maintenance (target: 200 committees), (4) Number of people gaining access to safely managed drinking water (target: 500,000), and (5) Integration of gender and social inclusion into all program activities (target: 50% women representation in training programs). The donor also prioritizes sustainability by requiring co-financing or in-kind contributions from local governments, and the use of innovative financing mechanisms such as performance-based grants. Additionally, the RFP emphasizes data-driven decision-making, requiring robust Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) frameworks with baseline surveys and annual outcome assessments.

Eligibility

Comprehensive eligibility criteria include: (1) Legal registration as a non-profit entity, for-profit company, or academic institution in a country eligible for World Bank financing. (2) Minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in WASH, climate resilience, and capacity building in Sub-Saharan Africa. (3) Submission of audited financial statements for the past three years, showing a clean audit opinion and no material weaknesses. (4) Capacity to handle advance payments up to 20% of the contract value, with adequate financial controls (preferably with an established internal audit function). (5) No conflict of interest with the World Bank or any of its partner governments. (6) Adherence to the World Bank's Anti-Corruption Guidelines, including a signed integrity pact. (7) For consortia, a formal agreement outlining roles, responsibilities, and financial management arrangements is required. The procurement process will follow the World Bank's 'Selection Based on Qualifications and Technical Proposal' (QBS) method, with a technical threshold of 80% to pass. The financial proposal will be evaluated only for those achieving the technical minimum.

Path to Success

To strategically position for this RFP, organizations should follow a four-step roadmap integrated with GSLI training: Step 1 – Conduct a Rapid Organizational Capacity Assessment (GSLI's 'Grants Management' and 'Financial Management for NGOs' courses are critical). Ensure compliance with World Bank fiduciary standards by reviewing the Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, revised November 2020). Step 2 – Develop a Consortium with Local Partners (Use GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' to coordinate joint proposal writing, risk sharing, and governance structures). Step 3 – Design a Theory of Change and M&E Framework aligned with the World Bank's Climate and Water KPIs (Leverage GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation' course to create logical frameworks with measurable indicators, such as 'percentage of communities with adaptive water management plans'). Step 4 – Write a Compelling Technical Proposal (Apply insights from GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' to articulate past performance, innovation in climate-resilient WASH, and a sustainability plan. Include a detailed risk mitigation matrix for political instability, drought cycles, and procurement delays. Finally, submit the proposal through the World Bank's e-Procurement platform (STEP) before the deadline.

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Deadline: 2026-06-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal