Deadline: 19-Jan-2026
UNICEF is offering grants to strengthen rural water systems through community empowerment, technical capacity building, and institutional coordination. The program targets WASH management committees, Area Pump Minders, and local authorities to improve water service functionality, sustainability, and governance, with an indicative budget of $500,000.
What is the UNICEF Rural WASH Systems Grant?
The UNICEF Rural WASH Systems Grant supports projects that enhance the operation and maintenance of rural water systems. The initiative empowers communities, improves technical skills, and strengthens coordination among WASH stakeholders. Key priorities include financial management, governance, technical capacity, and formalized operational responsibilities to ensure sustainable rural water supply.
Funding Details
Indicative Budget: $500,000
Focus Areas: Strengthening financial and governance capacity of WASH management committees, technical support for Area Pump Minders (APMs) and WASH technicians, improved functionality of rural WASH services through local authorities, and formalizing operational roles via Memoranda of Understanding with commercial utilities.
Eligible Activities: Training and mentorship for WASH management committees, standardized tools for budgeting and reporting, community financing strategies, preventive maintenance training for APMs, linking APMs to certified suppliers, and developing joint operation and maintenance workplans.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible participants include: WASH management committees, including those piloting the Community-Based Model; Area Pump Minders and other WASH technicians; local authorities and commercial utilities managing small-piped water systems; and artisans or VWASHEs involved in rural water services.
Key Program Components
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Community Empowerment and Financial Management: Train and mentor at least 320 WASH management committees in budgeting, transparent record-keeping, and innovative financing. Secure community contributions for major repairs before installations. Develop and enforce by-laws on user fees, non-payment penalties, and governance.
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Technical Capacity Building: Provide formal training, certification, and mentorship for Area Pump Minders on preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs. Link district-level APM networks to certified suppliers to improve spare parts access and reduce repair times.
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Institutional Coordination: Strengthen collaboration among local authorities, commercial utilities, VWASHEs, and artisans. Develop and implement joint operation and maintenance workplans monitored by P-WASHE committees. Conduct baseline and sustainability assessments to document learning.
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Operational Formalization: Establish Memoranda of Understanding to clarify roles among communities, local authorities, and utilities. Enhance accountability, management systems, and sustainability while reducing conflicts.
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Monitoring and Evaluation: Track project outcomes using performance indicators including number of water facilities benefiting from optimized O&M, people reached through behavior change campaigns, districts implementing strengthened WASH operations, and percentage of infrastructure facilities in use during ex-post evaluation.
How to Apply
Step 1: Identify Eligible Participants Confirm WASH management committees, APMs, local authorities, or community structures are involved.
Step 2: Develop Project Plan Include objectives, technical strategies, governance models, training schedules, operational formalization, and monitoring metrics.
Step 3: Submit Application Follow UNICEF’s official grant submission process, including budget, workplan, and performance indicators.
Step 4: Implement and Report Conduct trainings, mentorship, and coordination activities. Monitor progress and submit performance and financial reports as per UNICEF requirements.
Common Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
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Ensure the project addresses community empowerment, technical capacity, and institutional coordination.
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Include clear, measurable performance indicators.
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Secure community contributions for major repairs to demonstrate ownership.
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Formalize roles early to prevent conflicts among stakeholders.
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Link technical training to district-level networks for sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can benefit from this grant? WASH management committees, Area Pump Minders, local authorities, and community structures managing rural water systems.
2. What is the indicative budget? $500,000.
3. What are the main focus areas? Financial management, governance, technical capacity building, institutional coordination, and operational formalization of small-piped water systems.
4. How is technical capacity enhanced? Through training, certification, mentorship, and access to certified suppliers for spare parts.
5. How are responsibilities formalized? Through Memoranda of Understanding among communities, local authorities, and commercial utilities.
6. How is project success measured? By the number of functional water facilities, people reached through behavior change campaigns, districts implementing improved WASH operations, and percentage of infrastructure in use during ex-post evaluation.
7. Are community contributions required? Yes, contributions for major repairs and rehabilitation are secured to promote ownership and sustainability.
Conclusion
The UNICEF Rural WASH Systems Grant strengthens rural water services by combining community empowerment, technical skill development, and institutional coordination. By formalizing operational responsibilities, building local capacity, and implementing sustainable management models, the program ensures long-term functionality, accountability, and improved access to safe water in rural communities.
For more information, visit UNICEF.
