Deadline: 03-Aug-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to identify civil society organizations and academic institutions with expertise in sustainable economic development, financial inclusion, and institutional strengthening. The RFI focuses on partners capable of designing and evaluating development programs, improving access to inclusive financial services, and supporting rural producers, women, and youth. Selected partners will contribute to territorial investment models, public financial management systems, and evidence-based development programming aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDP RFI Overview: Sustainable Development and Financial Inclusion Partnerships
The United Nations Development Programme Request for Information (RFI) seeks qualified national and international partners to support development initiatives focused on sustainable economic development, financial inclusion systems, institutional governance, and territorial development. The initiative aims to build a qualified pool of organizations with proven technical and implementation expertise.
Objectives of the UNDP RFI
- Promote sustainable economic development
- Strengthen financial inclusion systems
- Improve institutional capacity and governance
- Support territorial and local development
- Enhance evidence-based program design and evaluation
- Build multi-stakeholder collaboration models
Target Beneficiaries
Required Technical Expertise Areas
Program Design and Evaluation
- Development of baselines
- Mid-term and final evaluations
- Impact assessment frameworks
- Income and resilience measurement
Inclusive Financial Systems
- Credit, savings, insurance, and guarantee fund design
- Financial inclusion strategies for rural and vulnerable groups
- Reduction of barriers to financial access
Rural and Agricultural Finance
- Productivity-linked financing models
- Market access financing systems
- Technical assistance integrated with credit services
Institutional and Governance Strengthening
- Public financial management training
- Operational manuals and accounting systems
- Institutional capacity building
Territorial and Local Development
- Multi-stakeholder investment platforms
- Coordination with local governments
- Business and investment planning
Expected Partner Capabilities
- Proven development finance experience
- Strong evaluation and monitoring capacity
- Financial inclusion expertise
- Government collaboration experience
- Gender and youth inclusion focus
- Rural development implementation experience
Key Focus Areas of the Initiative
- Sustainable economic development systems
- Financial inclusion expansion
- Institutional strengthening and governance reform
Core Development Goals
- Improve productivity and market access
- Strengthen rural financial systems
- Enhance local economic resilience
How the Initiative Works (RFI Process Overview)
Step 1: Expression of Interest
Organizations submit capability statements and relevant experience.
Step 2: Technical Assessment
- Review of expertise
- Project history evaluation
- Sectoral relevance check
Step 3: Partner Pool Formation
Qualified organizations are added to a roster for future engagement.
Step 4: Future Engagement Opportunities
- Project-specific invitations
- Technical assistance roles
- Implementation partnerships
Importance of the UNDP RFI
The initiative strengthens development systems by:
- Expanding access to inclusive finance
- Improving public financial management
- Enhancing rural economic resilience
- Supporting evidence-based policy design
- Promoting SDG-aligned development outcomes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of measurable project results
- Weak financial inclusion experience
- Insufficient government collaboration evidence
- Generic capability statements
- Missing gender/youth inclusion strategies
Tips for a Strong RFI Response
- Provide documented project evidence
- Include measurable impact indicators
- Highlight rural and financial inclusion work
- Show governance collaboration experience
- Demonstrate evaluation expertise
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the purpose of this UNDP RFI?
It identifies qualified partners for sustainable development and financial inclusion programs.
2. Is this a funding opportunity?
No, it is a Request for Information, not a funding call.
3. Who can apply?
Civil society organizations and academic institutions with relevant expertise.
4. What expertise is required?
Financial inclusion, development evaluation, rural finance, and institutional strengthening.
5. Who are the beneficiaries?
Rural producers, women, youth, and underserved communities.
6. What financial systems are included?
Credit, savings, insurance, guarantee funds, and productivity-linked finance.
7. What happens after selection?
Organizations may be invited for future UNDP projects.
Conclusion
The United Nations Development Programme RFI is a strategic initiative to identify expert partners for sustainable economic development, inclusive finance, and institutional strengthening. It supports long-term development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on resilience, equity, and evidence-based programming.
For more information, visit UNDP.
