World Bank RFP: Strengthening Public Financial Management for Climate-Resilient Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Fragile States

The World Bank has published a Request for Proposals (RFP) under the title 'Strengthening Public Financial Management for Climate-Resilient Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Fragile States.' This high-urgency procurement (deadline: July 15, 2026) targets a critical nexus: the intersection of public financial management (PFM) and climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). The total funding pool is estimated at $50 million, with individual project sizes ranging from $5 million to $15 million over 3–5 years. The RFP responds to the reality that billions of people in FCAS lack access to safely managed water and sanitation, and that climate change exacerbates these deficits through droughts, floods, and water quality degradation. Weak PFM systems—characterized by poor budget execution, corruption, and lack of accountability—undermine even well-intentioned WASH investments. Therefore, this RFP requires bidders to propose integrated interventions that simultaneously strengthen PFM capabilities (e.g., budget planning, climate expenditure tagging, internal audits) and deliver tangible improvements in WASH service delivery (e.g., water supply schemes, sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion). The World Bank emphasizes a holistic approach: governance reforms must go hand-in-hand with infrastructure investments. Bidders are expected to demonstrate experience in both PFM and WASH, preferably in FCAS contexts. The procurement process is competitive, with a two-stage evaluation: first, technical criteria (weighted 80%) including track record, methodology, and team composition; second, financial criteria (20%). The World Bank reserves the right to negotiate with the top-ranked bidder. GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'WASH' short courses are designed to help organizations build the necessary expertise to compete effectively. This RFP is part of the World Bank's broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It also aligns with the Bank's Climate Change Action Plan and its Strategy for Fragile, Conflict, and Violent Situations. By linking PFM reforms with climate-resilient WASH, the RFP addresses root causes of service delivery failures. For example, without proper financial management, funding for water infrastructure may be diverted or spent inefficiently, leading to broken facilities and community distrust. Conversely, when PFM systems are robust, resources are allocated transparently, procurement is fair, and maintenance is funded sustainably. The World Bank expects bidders to propose projects that are scalable and adaptable to different FCAS contexts. The RFP encourages consortia comprising PFM specialists (e.g., accounting firms, public finance institutes) and WASH technical organizations (e.g., engineering consultancies, NGOs). Cross-cutting themes include gender equality (ensuring women's participation in water governance), climate resilience (infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather), and use of digital technologies (e.g., mobile payments for water tariffs, GIS for asset management). Bidders must also incorporate a strong Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework with baseline data, performance indicators, and regular reporting. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation for Development' course can help structure this framework. For organizations considering this opportunity, preparation must begin immediately. The first step is to conduct a rapid self-assessment of in-house expertise in PFM, WASH, and FCAS operations. If capacity gaps exist, GSLI's targeted short courses can fill them quickly. Additionally, organizations should start networking with potential partners in target countries—ideally those with existing relationships with ministries of finance and water. The World Bank expects bidders to demonstrate a deep understanding of the local political economy, including potential risks of corruption or instability. A thorough risk analysis is mandatory, with contingency plans for fiduciary and security risks. The proposal must also include a detailed budget, showing co-financing commitments (if any) and value-for-money. Given the high level of detail required, GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers a step-by-step guide to structuring World Bank proposals, from executive summary to annexes. The deadline of July 15, 2026, provides roughly 18 months for proposal development—ample time to conduct field assessments, form consortia, and draft a competitive proposal. However, early action is recommended as the most successful bidders often start 12-18 months before the deadline. GSLI can support with training, proposal review, and even access to a network of experienced consultants.

Strategic Overview

The World Bank has published a Request for Proposals (RFP) under the title 'Strengthening Public Financial Management for Climate-Resilient Water Supply and Sanitation Services in Fragile States.' This high-urgency procurement (deadline: July 15, 2026) targets a critical nexus: the intersection of public financial management (PFM) and climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). The total funding pool is estimated at $50 million, with individual project sizes ranging from $5 million to $15 million over 3–5 years. The RFP responds to the reality that billions of people in FCAS lack access to safely managed water and sanitation, and that climate change exacerbates these deficits through droughts, floods, and water quality degradation. Weak PFM systems—characterized by poor budget execution, corruption, and lack of accountability—undermine even well-intentioned WASH investments. Therefore, this RFP requires bidders to propose integrated interventions that simultaneously strengthen PFM capabilities (e.g., budget planning, climate expenditure tagging, internal audits) and deliver tangible improvements in WASH service delivery (e.g., water supply schemes, sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion). The World Bank emphasizes a holistic approach: governance reforms must go hand-in-hand with infrastructure investments. Bidders are expected to demonstrate experience in both PFM and WASH, preferably in FCAS contexts. The procurement process is competitive, with a two-stage evaluation: first, technical criteria (weighted 80%) including track record, methodology, and team composition; second, financial criteria (20%). The World Bank reserves the right to negotiate with the top-ranked bidder. GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'WASH' short courses are designed to help organizations build the necessary expertise to compete effectively. This RFP is part of the World Bank's broader commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It also aligns with the Bank's Climate Change Action Plan and its Strategy for Fragile, Conflict, and Violent Situations. By linking PFM reforms with climate-resilient WASH, the RFP addresses root causes of service delivery failures. For example, without proper financial management, funding for water infrastructure may be diverted or spent inefficiently, leading to broken facilities and community distrust. Conversely, when PFM systems are robust, resources are allocated transparently, procurement is fair, and maintenance is funded sustainably. The World Bank expects bidders to propose projects that are scalable and adaptable to different FCAS contexts. The RFP encourages consortia comprising PFM specialists (e.g., accounting firms, public finance institutes) and WASH technical organizations (e.g., engineering consultancies, NGOs). Cross-cutting themes include gender equality (ensuring women's participation in water governance), climate resilience (infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather), and use of digital technologies (e.g., mobile payments for water tariffs, GIS for asset management). Bidders must also incorporate a strong Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework with baseline data, performance indicators, and regular reporting. GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation for Development' course can help structure this framework. For organizations considering this opportunity, preparation must begin immediately. The first step is to conduct a rapid self-assessment of in-house expertise in PFM, WASH, and FCAS operations. If capacity gaps exist, GSLI's targeted short courses can fill them quickly. Additionally, organizations should start networking with potential partners in target countries—ideally those with existing relationships with ministries of finance and water. The World Bank expects bidders to demonstrate a deep understanding of the local political economy, including potential risks of corruption or instability. A thorough risk analysis is mandatory, with contingency plans for fiduciary and security risks. The proposal must also include a detailed budget, showing co-financing commitments (if any) and value-for-money. Given the high level of detail required, GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course offers a step-by-step guide to structuring World Bank proposals, from executive summary to annexes. The deadline of July 15, 2026, provides roughly 18 months for proposal development—ample time to conduct field assessments, form consortia, and draft a competitive proposal. However, early action is recommended as the most successful bidders often start 12-18 months before the deadline. GSLI can support with training, proposal review, and even access to a network of experienced consultants.

Who is it For?

This RFP is designed for a broad range of organizations including international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), local NGOs, research institutions, private sector consultancies, and public sector agencies with proven expertise in public financial management (PFM) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) service delivery in fragile states. Eligible entities must be legally registered in a World Bank member country and have a minimum of five years of experience implementing donor-funded projects in FCAS. Specifically, the World Bank encourages consortia that combine PFM specialists (e.g., chartered accountants, public finance experts) with WASH engineers and social safeguard specialists. The target beneficiaries include ministries of finance, water ministries, and local government authorities in up to 10 fragile states (potentially in Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, and South Asia). Bidders must demonstrate a deep understanding of the political economy of reforms, gender dynamics, and climate adaptation. GSLI recommends that organizations lacking in-house PFM or WASH capacity enroll in our 'Financial Management for NGOs' and 'WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene)' courses to build the required expertise before bid submission.

Priorities

The World Bank's key priorities for this RFP are threefold: first, strengthening PFM systems to ensure that climate-resilient WSS investments are efficiently allocated, executed, and monitored; second, enhancing transparency and accountability through participatory budgeting and citizen engagement; and third, integrating climate adaptation metrics into national WASH plans. Investment KPIs include: (i) percentage increase in budget execution rate for climate-labeled WSS projects; (ii) reduction in non-revenue water (NRW) in target utilities; (iii) number of PFM reforms enacted (e.g., gender-responsive budgeting, climate tagging); and (iv) improvement in service delivery satisfaction scores among vulnerable populations. The donor emphasizes a 'thinking and working politically' approach, requiring bidders to incorporate stakeholder mapping and adaptive management. Additionally, the RFP aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 13 (Climate Action), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Bidders must articulate how their interventions will leverage domestic resources and avoid creating parallel PFM systems. GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course can equip teams to track these KPIs using industry-standard tools like logical frameworks and theory of change.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria cover financial, spatial, and corporate legal aspects. Financially, the lead applicant must demonstrate annual revenues exceeding $5 million for the past three years and provide audited financial statements. The applicant must have a positive net worth and no history of bankruptcy or fraud. Spatially, the applicant must have operational presence (e.g., an office, registered branch, or long-term partner) in at least two of the target fragile states. Corporate legal eligibility requires the organization to be a legally registered entity (non-profit, for-profit, or academic) in a World Bank member country. Consortium proposals are welcome but must designate a lead partner and provide a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by all partners. Additionally, the World Bank prohibits any entity that is currently under sanction by the United Nations, European Union, or World Bank Group. Key documents include: certificate of incorporation, tax registration, proof of not-for-profit status (if applicable), and resumes of key personnel. Bidders must also submit a conflict of interest disclosure. To prepare for these compliance requirements, GSLI's 'Grants Management' course offers modules on financial auditing and fiduciary risk assessment.

Path to Success

To win this World Bank RFP, organizations must follow a strategic roadmap that leverages GSLI's training to fill capacity gaps. Step 1: Conduct a rapid PFM-WASH diagnostic in target fragile states (aligned with RFP's requirement for context analysis). Use GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design a baseline assessment framework that captures budget execution rates, climate expenditure tagging, and service delivery indicators. Step 2: Form a consortium that combines PFM expertise (e.g., public sector accounting) with WASH technical specialists. GSLI's 'Procurement & Supply Chain' course can help partners align procurement protocols with World Bank guidelines, ensuring value-for-money in infrastructure contracts. Step 3: Develop a theory of change that links PFM reforms to climate-resilient WSS outcomes. GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course provides templates for crafting logframes and outcome statements that resonate with donor priorities. Step 4: Incorporate gender and social inclusion (GESI) by training staff on gender-responsive budgeting (available in GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' course). This aligns with World Bank's cross-cutting requirement. Step 5: Submit a robust risk mitigation plan (see riskMitigation section) and demonstrate institutional sustainability through a capacity-building component for local governments. Finally, include a letter of commitment from GSLI certifying that key personnel have completed the relevant courses, which adds credibility. This roadmap not only addresses RFP criteria but also positions the bidder as a capacity-strong partner.

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Deadline: 2026-07-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal