Deadline: 11-Aug-2025
UNICEF is calling on eligible Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to partner in delivering climate-smart WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services and infrastructure to support vulnerable children and communities in Papua New Guinea’s Rigo District.
This call for interest seeks to build partnerships that can implement sustainable and resilient WASH systems in institutions and communities. These efforts will be closely coordinated with stakeholders at all government levels. The initiative is part of a broader regional project, “Climate Action for the Last Mile,” funded by KOICA and led by UNICEF’s East Asia and Pacific Regional Office. The goal is to deliver climate-smart services in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
The project’s primary objective is to improve climate resilience for children and their communities by providing inclusive, low-carbon, and gender-responsive social services and infrastructure. It also aims to strengthen policy, legal frameworks, and institutional capacity for broader, long-term impact. Children in both targeted and surrounding areas are expected to benefit directly or indirectly from these improvements.
In Rigo District, the initiative aims to reach 30,000 people, with 40% being children. Efforts will focus on building resilient WASH services, promoting sustainable development practices, and enhancing institutions to scale solutions effectively. Key actions include installing solar-powered water supply systems, upgrading WASH facilities in schools and health centers, and conducting community-led waste management initiatives.
The program also involves strengthening water resource planning, promoting sanitation through Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), and establishing functional WASH committees. Financial inclusion and literacy training will be introduced, supported by microfinance partnerships. Sustainable service delivery models will be built on user-pay systems and climate-smart operations.
Youth engagement is a core component, with training designed to position young people as leaders in resilience and social change. Partnerships will also support coordination with government agencies, contributions to sector reviews, and development of district-level climate-resilient WASH plans aligned with national priorities.
By the end of the implementation phase, children and communities in the target areas are expected to experience reduced vulnerability to climate change. They will gain access to climate-smart WASH services at home, in schools, and health care facilities through strengthened systems and improved water resource management.
For more information, visit UNICEF.
