Call for Proposals: WFP Climate Advisory and EWS Initiative (El Salvador)

The World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) of El Salvador, has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest to strengthen climate services, Early Warning Systems, and community resilience in the Goascorán River Basin. The initiative supports vulnerable communities through climate information access, disaster risk reduction, ecosystem-based adaptation, capacity building, and inclusive climate risk management.

What Is the WFP Climate Resilience Initiative in El Salvador?

The World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) of El Salvador, has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest to support climate adaptation and resilience activities in the Goascorán River Basin.

The initiative aims to improve how vulnerable communities access, understand, and use climate information to prepare for climate-related risks.

The project focuses on strengthening:

Climate services
Community-based Early Warning Systems
Disaster risk reduction mechanisms
Climate adaptation strategies
Institutional and community resilience

Purpose of the Initiative

The main objective of the project is to develop a participatory climate resilience model that helps communities make better decisions in response to climate risks.

The initiative aims to:

Co-produce climate advisories with communities and institutions
Improve access to reliable climate information
Strengthen Early Warning Systems
Support climate risk management
Promote ecosystem-based adaptation
Improve community preparedness for emergencies

Partnership Between WFP and MARN

The project is implemented by MARN, with technical support from WFP, as part of a broader effort to strengthen climate adaptation capacity in the Goascorán River Basin.

The intervention combines:

Climate information services
Ecosystem-based adaptation
Community capacity building
Disaster preparedness
Inclusive decision-making approaches

The project supports communities that face increasing risks from climate change, including impacts on agriculture, livelihoods, and natural resources.

Geographic Focus: Goascorán River Basin, El Salvador

In El Salvador, the project will be implemented in seven districts within the municipality of La Unión Norte.

Target districts include:

Concepción de Oriente
El Sauce
Lislique
Nueva Esparta
Pasaquina
Polorós
Santa Rosa de Lima

These areas were selected because they experience:

High exposure to climate risks
Vulnerable rural livelihoods
Dependence on subsistence farming
Economic challenges linked to environmental changes

The initiative is expected to benefit approximately:

2,700 families

Key Areas of Support

The Call for Expressions of Interest covers multiple technical and social areas.

Climate Services and Early Warning Systems

The project focuses on improving:

Climate forecasting information
Climate advisories
Risk communication systems
Community warning mechanisms

The goal is to ensure communities receive timely and understandable information before climate-related events occur.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness

Activities will strengthen community ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Support areas include:

Emergency planning
Risk assessment
Disaster preparedness training
Response coordination

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

The initiative promotes nature-based solutions to reduce climate risks.

Activities may include:

Protection of natural resources
Sustainable land management
Climate-resilient agricultural practices
Restoration of ecosystems

Communication and Climate Information Access

The project emphasizes effective communication so communities can use climate information in daily decision-making.

Activities include:

Community communication strategies
Climate awareness activities
Information sharing mechanisms

Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

The initiative integrates gender-responsive approaches by promoting:

Women’s participation in climate decision-making
Equal access to climate information
Recognition of women’s roles in community resilience

Youth Leadership and Participation

Youth engagement is included to encourage:

Youth involvement in climate action
Leadership development
Participation in resilience activities

Training and Capacity Building

The project supports skills development for:

Community members
Local institutions
Technical stakeholders
Youth groups

Training areas include:

Climate risk management
Early Warning Systems
Emergency preparedness
Data use and analysis

Who Is Eligible to Participate?

The Call for Expressions of Interest is intended for qualified organizations with expertise in areas related to climate resilience and community development.

Potential applicants should have experience in:

Climate adaptation
Disaster risk reduction
Community resilience
Training and capacity building
Research and data analysis
Monitoring and evaluation
Inclusive development approaches

Organizations should demonstrate the ability to work with communities, government institutions, and technical partners.

Expected Project Outcomes

The initiative aims to develop and validate a technical and participatory model for climate resilience.

Expected results include:

Improved Climate Advisory Systems

The project will strengthen the ability to:

Generate climate information
Adapt information to local needs
Share useful climate advisories with communities

Stronger Community-Based Early Warning Systems

The project will improve:

Local warning mechanisms
Community preparedness
Communication between institutions and residents

Better Climate Decision-Making

Communities will gain improved ability to:

Understand climate risks
Plan agricultural activities
Protect livelihoods
Respond to environmental changes

Role of the Directorate of the Observatory of Threats and Natural Resources (DOA)

The project will be developed in coordination with the Directorate of the Observatory of Threats and Natural Resources (DOA) of MARN.

DOA will support:

Technical climate information development
Risk monitoring
Climate data use
Institutional coordination

How the Initiative Works

The project follows a collaborative implementation approach.

Step 1: Assess Climate Risks

Partners will identify:

Main climate threats
Community vulnerabilities
Existing response systems

Step 2: Develop Climate Information Solutions

Organizations will support the creation of:

Local climate advisories
Communication tools
Early Warning System improvements

Step 3: Strengthen Community Capacity

Activities will include:

Training sessions
Awareness programmes
Community participation mechanisms

Step 4: Validate and Improve the Model

The project will test and refine approaches through:

Community feedback
Monitoring activities
Data analysis

Why This Initiative Matters

Climate change is increasing risks for vulnerable rural communities, especially those dependent on agriculture and natural resources.

This initiative helps communities:

Prepare for climate hazards
Protect livelihoods
Access reliable information
Improve resilience
Strengthen cooperation between institutions and communities

By combining climate science with local knowledge, the project supports sustainable adaptation solutions.

Tips for Organizations Applying

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Demonstrating climate adaptation experience
Showing knowledge of community-based approaches
Including gender and youth considerations
Explaining monitoring and evaluation methods
Highlighting previous work in vulnerable communities

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Organizations should avoid:

Submitting proposals without climate expertise
Ignoring community participation
Failing to address inclusion requirements
Providing unclear implementation plans
Not demonstrating coordination capacity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the WFP El Salvador Climate Resilience Project?

It is an initiative led by MARN with technical support from WFP to strengthen climate services, Early Warning Systems, and community resilience in the Goascorán River Basin.

Where will the project be implemented?

The project will be implemented in seven districts of La Unión Norte municipality in El Salvador.

How many families will benefit from the initiative?

Approximately 2,700 families are expected to benefit.

What are Early Warning Systems?

Early Warning Systems provide timely information about climate and disaster risks so communities can prepare and take action before impacts occur.

What organizations can participate?

Qualified national and international organizations with experience in climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, training, and community development can participate.

What topics does the project support?

The project supports climate services, emergency preparedness, ecosystem-based adaptation, gender equality, youth participation, research, training, and capacity development.

Why is climate information important for communities?

Reliable climate information helps communities make informed decisions about agriculture, disaster preparedness, and protection of livelihoods.

Conclusion

The WFP and MARN Climate Resilience Initiative in El Salvador represents an important effort to strengthen vulnerable communities facing climate change impacts. Through improved climate services, Early Warning Systems, ecosystem-based adaptation, and inclusive participation, the project aims to build stronger and more prepared communities in the Goascorán River Basin.

By connecting scientific climate information with local knowledge and community action, the initiative supports sustainable resilience and better climate risk management for thousands of families in El Salvador.