Call for EOIs: Advancing Lao PDR’s Pandemic Response

UNICEF has launched a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) under the Advancing Lao PDR’s Pandemic Response and Transformation (ALERT-LAO) Project to identify partners that can strengthen pandemic preparedness and response systems in Lao PDR. The opportunity supports international organisations, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, and research institutions working on health security, One Health, surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce development, and community engagement.

UNICEF ALERT-LAO Project Partner Call: Overview

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting qualified organisations to become implementation partners for the ALERT-LAO Project in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

The project aims to improve the country’s ability to prevent, detect, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics through stronger health systems and coordinated emergency response mechanisms.

The selected partners will work through Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs) to support government-led efforts and strengthen national health security capacity.

About the ALERT-LAO Project

The Advancing Lao PDR’s Pandemic Response and Transformation (ALERT-LAO) project is a national health security initiative designed to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response systems.

The project addresses lessons learned from previous health emergencies, including:

SARS outbreaks
Avian influenza
COVID-19 pandemic

These emergencies highlighted challenges related to:

Health infrastructure capacity
Workforce readiness
Disease surveillance systems
Laboratory capacity
Information sharing
Multi-sector coordination

Following national and international health security assessments in 2025, Lao PDR identified priority actions to improve pandemic preparedness through a coordinated and multisectoral approach.

Project Funding and Implementation Period

The ALERT-LAO project has received significant international support:

Pandemic Fund contribution: US$17.6 million
Additional co-financing and co-investment: More than US$124 million

Under the UNICEF-managed human health component:

Implementation period: August 2026 to July 2029
Total component funding: US$8.84 million

The current Call for Expression of Interest provides an indicative budget of:

US$1.2 million

Key Focus Areas of the Programme

The ALERT-LAO project focuses on strengthening multiple areas of pandemic preparedness.

1. Early Warning and Disease Surveillance Systems

The programme supports:

Improved disease monitoring systems
Faster detection of health threats
Better reporting mechanisms
Stronger outbreak notification systems

The goal is to ensure potential pandemics can be identified and addressed at an early stage.

2. Laboratory Systems Strengthening

Activities aim to improve:

Laboratory infrastructure
Diagnostic capacity
Testing systems
Technical skills of laboratory personnel

Strong laboratory systems are essential for rapid disease detection and response.

3. Health Workforce Development

The project supports:

Training of health professionals
Development of technical skills
Sustainable workforce planning
Emergency response capacity building

4. One Health Surveillance Approach

The programme promotes the One Health approach, which recognizes that human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected.

Priority areas include:

Integrated disease surveillance
Collaboration between health sectors
Community involvement
Prevention of emerging diseases

5. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Prevention

The initiative supports evidence-based systems to address:

Antimicrobial resistance risks
Responsible use of medicines
Surveillance of resistant pathogens
Prevention strategies

6. Community Engagement and Inclusion

The project encourages participation from:

Communities
Women
Youth
Local organisations

Community involvement is considered essential for effective pandemic prevention and response.

Who Is Eligible?

UNICEF is inviting applications from:

International organisations
Civil society organisations (CSOs)
Community-based organisations (CBOs)
Research institutions

Eligible applicants should demonstrate experience in areas such as:

Public health
Pandemic preparedness
Disease surveillance
Health systems strengthening
Laboratory capacity building
Community engagement
One Health approaches
Health research

Preferred Partner Characteristics

UNICEF encourages applications from organisations that demonstrate:

Proven experience in relevant health programmes
Successful implementation of similar projects
Long-term partnerships in Lao PDR
Strong collaboration with government institutions
Experience working with communities
Technical expertise in priority areas

Applicants with co-financing contributions may receive additional consideration.

Co-financing may include:

Financial contributions
In-kind support
Technical resources

Why This Opportunity Matters

The ALERT-LAO partnership opportunity supports Lao PDR’s long-term health security by helping establish stronger systems for future emergencies.

The programme will contribute to:

Faster outbreak detection
Better pandemic preparedness
Stronger laboratory networks
Improved health workforce capacity
Sustainable disease prevention systems
Stronger collaboration between government and communities

Expected Partner Responsibilities

Selected partners will support activities that contribute to:

Early Warning Systems

Partners may help strengthen:

Disease monitoring
Data collection
Health information systems
Outbreak response mechanisms

Laboratory Capacity

Partners may support:

Laboratory improvement activities
Technical training
Diagnostic strengthening

One Health Workforce

Partners will contribute to:

Training programmes
Technical capacity development
Cross-sector collaboration

Evidence-Based Prevention

Activities may include:

Prevention strategies
AMR-related interventions
Community health initiatives

Coordination and Community Engagement

Partners will support:

Multi-sector coordination
Community participation
Engagement with women and youth groups

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Review the Project Requirements

Organisations should assess their experience in:

Pandemic preparedness
Health systems
Community programmes
Research and technical support

Step 2: Develop a Partnership Concept

Applicants should prepare information demonstrating:

Relevant organisational experience
Proposed contribution to ALERT-LAO objectives
Technical approach
Expected outcomes

Step 3: Demonstrate Previous Experience

Applications should highlight:

Similar completed projects
Partnerships with government or communities
Measurable results achieved

Step 4: Submit Expression of Interest

Eligible organisations must submit their EOI according to UNICEF requirements.

Applications will be assessed based on:

Technical expertise
Relevant experience
Partnership approach
Ability to deliver sustainable results

Selection Criteria

UNICEF will consider:

Experience in priority health areas
Quality of proposed approach
Institutional capacity
Previous achievements
Collaboration potential
Sustainability of outcomes
Co-financing contributions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting proposals unrelated to pandemic preparedness
Failing to demonstrate technical expertise
Providing limited evidence of previous work
Ignoring community engagement requirements
Not explaining long-term sustainability
Submitting unclear partnership plans

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Clearly connect their experience with ALERT-LAO objectives
Highlight measurable health outcomes achieved previously
Demonstrate understanding of One Health principles
Include strong community participation strategies
Explain how activities will strengthen national systems
Show commitment to collaboration with Lao PDR institutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the ALERT-LAO Project?

The ALERT-LAO Project is a UNICEF-supported initiative designed to strengthen Lao PDR’s pandemic preparedness, surveillance, laboratory systems, workforce capacity, and health security mechanisms.

2. Who can apply for this UNICEF partnership opportunity?

International organisations, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, and research institutions can apply.

3. What is the available funding under this call?

The indicative budget available under this Call for Expression of Interest is US$1.2 million.

4. What are the main areas supported by the project?

The project supports early warning systems, laboratory strengthening, workforce development, One Health surveillance, antimicrobial resistance prevention, and community engagement.

5. Is experience in Lao PDR required?

While not explicitly mandatory, applicants with relevant experience, existing partnerships, and proven results in Lao PDR are encouraged.

6. What is the One Health approach?

One Health is an integrated approach that connects human health, animal health, and environmental health to improve disease prevention and response.

7. How long will the UNICEF human health component run?

The UNICEF-managed component will operate for three years, from August 2026 to July 2029.

Conclusion

The UNICEF ALERT-LAO Project Partnership Call provides an opportunity for qualified organisations to contribute to stronger pandemic preparedness and health security systems in Lao PDR. Through collaboration with government institutions, communities, and technical partners, selected organisations will help build sustainable systems for early detection, prevention, and response to future health emergencies.