World Bank RFP: Strengthening Public Financial Management for Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery

The World Bank's Request for Proposals (RFP) titled "Strengthening Public Financial Management for Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery" is a landmark opportunity for organizations to drive transformative change in the water, sanitation, and hygiene sector. This RFP reflects the Bank's increasing focus on integrating climate adaptation into core public financial management (PFM) systems, rather than treating it as an add-on. The call is open to international NGOs, consulting firms, academic institutions, and consortiums that can demonstrate expertise in both PFM and WASH, as well as a strong track record in institutional capacity building. The project will be implemented over 36 months in at least three pilot countries, with a total budget estimated at $15-20 million. The deadline for submitting proposals is August 15, 2026. A critical aspect of this RFP is its emphasis on evidence generation. The successful applicant must not only implement PFM reforms but also produce rigorous data on their impact on WASH service outcomes. This includes conducting baseline and endline surveys, publishing policy briefs, and contributing to the global knowledge base on climate-resilient PFM. The World Bank expects the project to leverage co-financing from other partners and to actively engage with national governments to ensure ownership and sustainability. The RFP aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), and it supports the Bank's commitment to gender equality by requiring gender-responsive budgeting approaches. Organizations considering this RFP should be prepared to invest significant resources in proposal development. The competition is likely to be intense, with many leading development organizations vying for the opportunity. To stand out, proposals must present a clear theory of change, a detailed implementation plan, and a strong team with complementary skills. GSLI training courses, such as Financial Management for NGOs and Monitoring & Evaluation, can help organizations strengthen their internal capacity and design a more compelling proposal. Furthermore, by incorporating GSLI certification into the project's training component, proposers can offer a ready-made solution that reduces risk and ensures quality. This RFP is a chance to shape the future of climate-resilient WASH governance and to contribute to global efforts to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation.

This RFP targets a diverse range of organizations capable of delivering large-scale technical assistance in public financial management (PFM) and climate-resilient WASH. Eligible applicants include international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) with demonstrated experience in PFM reforms and WASH service delivery; consulting firms specializing in fiscal policy, climate finance, and institutional strengthening; research and academic institutions with strong analytical capacity and field presence; multilateral development agencies already operating in the WASH sector; and consortiums formed by two or more entities that collectively possess the required technical and operational expertise. The World Bank particularly encourages proposals from organizations with a track record in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where climate risks to water infrastructure are highest. Additionally, proposals must demonstrate a deep understanding of the political economy of PFM reforms, including the ability to engage with ministries of finance, planning, and local government. The successful applicant will have staff or partners with expertise in gender-responsive budgeting, climate risk assessment, and results-based financing. Organizations with existing relationships with national governments and regional bodies like the African Development Bank or the Asian Development Bank will have a competitive edge. Crucially, the lead applicant must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in at least two of the following areas: public expenditure management, climate adaptation planning, and WASH sector policy. The organization must also have a proven capacity to manage multi-country programs with budgets exceeding $5 million. GSLI’s course in Procurement & Supply Chain can help organizations strengthen their operational capacity to meet these eligibility criteria.

The World Bank’s priorities for this RFP are deeply intertwined with its global commitment to achieve universal access to safely managed water and sanitation by 2030 (SDG 6) and to strengthen climate resilience (SDG 13). Specifically, the donor seeks to:(1) Mainstream climate resilience into national PFM systems, ensuring that climate risks are explicitly considered in budget planning, allocation, and execution for WASH services. This includes developing climate budget tagging methodologies and training finance ministers on climate-responsive fiscal planning.(2) Enhance efficiency and transparency in WASH spending by supporting governments to implement program-based budgeting, improve financial data systems, and establish independent audit mechanisms. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) include a reduction in the variance between approved and actual budgets for WASH, and an increase in the percentage of WASH projects that undergo climate risk screening.(3) Strengthen the capacity of subnational governments, which are often responsible for frontline service delivery yet have the weakest PFM systems. The project will target at least five local government units per country, providing technical assistance to improve revenue mobilization, expenditure control, and reporting on climate-related expenditures.(4) Foster evidence-based policy making by generating rigorous data on the cost-effectiveness of climate-resilient WASH interventions. The project must include a research component, partnering with at least one local university to produce at least three policy briefs and two peer-reviewed articles.(5) Promote gender equality and social inclusion by ensuring that PFM reforms address the disproportionate impact of water scarcity on women and girls. Specific KPIs include the number of gender-responsive budgeting initiatives implemented and the percentage of women in PFM training programs. The project also expects to leverage at least $2 million in co-financing from other development partners. GSLI’s course on Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) can help applicants design robust indicator tracking systems to demonstrate achievement of these priorities.

Eligibility criteria are comprehensive and require meticulous compliance. Firstly, legal eligibility: the applying organization must be a legally registered entity (e.g., non-profit, for-profit, or academic institution) in its country of origin, with at least 5 years of continuous operations. Proof of registration must be submitted, along with audited financial statements for the past three fiscal years showing a positive net worth and no material qualifications. Secondly, financial capacity: the applicant must demonstrate a minimum annual turnover of $3 million for the last two years and have the ability to advance funds (as World Bank contracts often operate on reimbursement basis). A letter of credit from a reputable bank may be required. Thirdly, technical eligibility: the organization must have a proven track record of implementing at least two similar PFM or climate finance projects with budgets exceeding $1 million each. Documentation of these projects, including reference letters from clients, is mandatory. Fourthly, team composition: the proposed team must include a Project Director with at least 15 years of experience in PFM, a Climate Finance Specialist with 10 years, and a WASH Engineer with 10 years. At least 60% of the key personnel must be based in the project region. Additionally, the organization must have a presence (country office or long-term representation) in at least one of the pilot countries—or commit to establishing one within three months of award. Fifthly, compliance with World Bank standards: applicants must certify that they have no conflict of interest with the Bank or the recipient governments, and must adhere to the Bank’s Anti-Corruption Guidelines and Fraud and Corruption policies. The proposal must include detailed CVs, signed declarations of availability, and a clear organizational chart. Finally, the application must be submitted in English or French, with all supporting documents translated by a certified translator. GSLI’s course in Grants Management can help organizations navigate these complex eligibility requirements and ensure compliance.

Strategic Roadmap to Secure the World Bank RFP with GSLI Integration Success hinges on a deliberate, multi-phase approach that leverages GSLI’s expertise to build institutional capacity and differentiate your proposal. Here are the key steps: **Step 1: Conduct an Internal Capacity Gap Analysis (Weeks 1-2)** Before responding, assess your organization’s readiness in PFM, climate finance, and WASH. Use GSLI’s online self-assessment tools (available with any course enrollment) to identify weaknesses. For example, if your financial management systems are not aligned with donor requirements, enroll key staff in GSLI’s Financial Management for NGOs course. Simultaneously, form a core bid team that includes at least one certified GSLI trainer to infuse best practices. Document the analysis in a gap report that will inform your proposal’s strengths section. **Step 2: Develop a Robust Technical Proposal (Weeks 3-6)** Structure your proposal around the World Bank’s three pillars: Climate-Responsive PFM, Institutional Strengthening, and Knowledge Generation. For each pillar, detail how your approach aligns with the Bank’s priorities. Use GSLI’s course in Writing Winning Proposals to craft compelling narratives that highlight your organization’s unique value. Include a dedicated section on how GSLI training will be integrated into the project’s capacity-building activities. For instance, propose to deliver GSLI’s Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) course to 200 government officials as part of the project. This not only strengthens your proposal but also demonstrates a ready-made training solution. **Step 3: Establish Strategic Partnerships (Weeks 4-6)** Form a consortium with local organizations that have on-the-ground presence in the pilot countries. These partners should bring complementary expertise, such as community engagement (WASH NGOs) or fiscal policy research (think tanks). Use GSLI’s alumni network across 120+ countries to identify reliable partners. Jointly develop a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines roles and responsibilities. Ensure that the consortium collectively meets all eligibility criteria, including financial capacity and technical experience. World Bank evaluations give preference to consortiums that demonstrate synergy and cost-effectiveness. **Step 4: Prepare a Compelling Budget and Work Plan (Weeks 7-8)** Develop a detailed budget that adheres to World Bank cost principles, including allowable direct and indirect costs. Allocate at least 10% of the budget for capacity building, and specifically budget for GSLI course licenses and certification fees. The work plan should show a clear timeline: months 1-6 for inception and needs assessment, months 7-24 for implementation of PFM tools and training, and months 25-36 for monitoring, evaluation, and scaling. Use GSLI’s Project Management for Development course to ensure your team uses best-practice methodologies like logical framework analysis. Finally, submit the proposal via the World Bank’s eProcurement portal by August 15, 2026, ensuring all annexes are uploaded in accepted formats. GSLI’s course in Procurement & Supply Chain can guide you through the submission process. By following this roadmap and integrating GSLI training, your proposal will stand out for its institutional capacity, technical rigor, and sustainability.