RFAs: Enhancing Resilient-WASH Services for Thriving Children and Businesses (Indonesia)

UNICEF is seeking an implementing partner to support the Government of West Java and selected district governments in improving climate-resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in Indonesia. The partnership aims to strengthen WASH governance, expand access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation, promote sustainable water stewardship, and enhance collaboration between governments, communities, civil society, and the private sector.

About the UNICEF WASH Partnership Opportunity

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI) to identify an implementing partner that will help improve sustainable and climate-resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services across West Java, Indonesia.

The initiative supports the UNICEF Indonesia Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2026–2030 and focuses on strengthening governance, improving access to safely managed water and sanitation services, building climate resilience, and promoting sustainable water resource management for children, communities, and businesses.

The selected partner will collaborate with the Government of West Java and district governments to address critical WASH challenges and strengthen long-term service delivery systems.

Program Focus Areas

The partnership supports projects related to:

• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
• Safely managed sanitation services
• Safe drinking water access
• Climate-resilient water stewardship
• Water resource management
• Environmental sustainability
• Climate action
• WASH governance
• Community engagement
• Public education and awareness
• Private sector partnerships
• Watershed conservation
• Water recharge systems
• Institutional capacity strengthening
• Sustainable development
• Food security and water resilience

What is the UNICEF WASH Partnership?

This partnership is designed to strengthen the systems, policies, and institutional capacity required to deliver inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient WASH services throughout West Java.

The selected implementing partner will work with government agencies and local stakeholders to:

• Improve governance of WASH services.
• Expand access to safely managed sanitation.
• Increase access to safe drinking water.
• Strengthen climate adaptation strategies.
• Promote sustainable water stewardship.
• Encourage collective action across multiple sectors.

The initiative recognizes that effective WASH services require coordinated action involving governments, civil society, businesses, academia, media, and local communities.

Why This Initiative Matters

West Java continues to experience major challenges related to:

• Limited access to safely managed sanitation.
• Insufficient access to safe drinking water.
• Increasing pressure on water resources.
• Climate change impacts on water availability.
• Growing demand from households and businesses.
• Weak institutional coordination in some areas.

Improving WASH systems helps:

• Protect children’s health.
• Reduce waterborne diseases.
• Improve environmental sustainability.
• Strengthen climate resilience.
• Support local economic development.
• Promote equitable access to essential services.

Key Objectives

The partnership aims to:

• Strengthen WASH governance.
• Improve institutional capacity.
• Expand safely managed sanitation services.
• Increase access to safely managed drinking water.
• Promote climate-resilient water stewardship.
• Improve service delivery systems.
• Strengthen community participation.
• Encourage public-private collaboration.
• Support sustainable management of water resources.

Expected Results

Successful implementation is expected to deliver:

Improved Sanitation Services

• Greater access to safely managed sanitation.
• Increased public awareness and demand for sanitation services.
• Technical assistance for local governments.
• Capacity-building for WASH stakeholders.

Climate-Resilient Water Management

• Better watershed conservation.
• Improved water recharge systems.
• Climate resilience planning.
• Sustainable water resource management.
• Improved monitoring systems.

Strengthened Governance

• Enhanced institutional coordination.
• Stronger WASH policies.
• Improved planning and implementation.
• Better collaboration across government levels.

Community Engagement

• Participation of women, children, and youth groups.
• Increased involvement of civil society organizations.
• Stronger partnerships with businesses.
• Greater community ownership of WASH initiatives.

Who is Eligible?

The Call for Expression of Interest is intended for qualified implementing partners capable of supporting UNICEF and government institutions in delivering large-scale WASH programmes.

Strong applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• WASH programme implementation
• Water resource management
• Climate resilience
• Environmental sustainability
• Community engagement
• Institutional capacity development
• Governance strengthening
• Private sector collaboration
• Stakeholder coordination
• Technical assistance for public institutions

How the Partnership Works

The selected partner will work alongside UNICEF and government authorities to implement activities that strengthen sustainable WASH systems across West Java.

Major implementation areas include:

1. Strengthening provincial and district WASH governance.
2. Supporting safely managed sanitation services.
3. Expanding access to drinking water.
4. Building climate-resilient water stewardship systems.
5. Providing technical assistance and capacity development.
6. Supporting knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
7. Promoting watershed conservation.
8. Developing water recharge initiatives.
9. Encouraging inclusive community participation.
10. Facilitating collaboration with the private sector.

Private Sector and Collective Action

An important component of this initiative is promoting collaboration between:

• Government agencies
• Businesses
• Civil society organizations
• Academic institutions
• Local communities
• Media organizations

The programme supports the Indonesia Collective Action Initiative of the CEO Water Mandate, encouraging collective efforts to improve water sustainability and long-term stewardship.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps:

1. Review the complete Call for Expression of Interest.
2. Confirm organizational eligibility and technical capacity.
3. Prepare documentation demonstrating relevant WASH and climate resilience experience.
4. Develop a technical proposal aligned with UNICEF’s objectives.
5. Highlight experience working with governments, communities, and private sector partners.
6. Submit the Expression of Interest before the official deadline using UNICEF’s application process.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your proposal:

• Demonstrate extensive WASH implementation experience.
• Highlight successful climate resilience projects.
• Showcase partnerships with government institutions.
• Include examples of community engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrate experience in water governance and stewardship.
• Present measurable monitoring and evaluation approaches.
• Explain strategies for sustainable long-term impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

• Submitting proposals without a clear climate resilience strategy.
• Failing to explain governance strengthening activities.
• Providing limited evidence of WASH experience.
• Ignoring stakeholder coordination and community participation.
• Omitting sustainability or monitoring plans.
• Failing to address private sector engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this UNICEF partnership?

The partnership aims to strengthen climate-resilient WASH services, improve sanitation and drinking water access, and enhance sustainable water stewardship across West Java.

Where will the project be implemented?

The initiative will be implemented in West Java, Indonesia, including selected district governments.

Who can apply?

Qualified implementing organizations with expertise in WASH, climate resilience, governance, and sustainable water management are encouraged to apply.

What sectors does the programme cover?

The initiative focuses on WASH, sanitation, drinking water, climate action, environmental sustainability, water governance, community engagement, and private sector collaboration.

What are the expected outcomes?

Expected outcomes include improved sanitation services, expanded drinking water access, stronger WASH governance, climate-resilient water management, and increased collaboration among governments, communities, and businesses.

Does the programme encourage private sector involvement?

Yes. The initiative promotes partnerships with businesses through sustainable water stewardship and the Indonesia Collective Action Initiative under the CEO Water Mandate.

Why is climate resilience important in this programme?

Climate resilience helps communities and governments manage increasing water scarcity, strengthen water security, protect natural resources, and ensure sustainable WASH services despite changing environmental conditions.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest for Climate-Resilient WASH Services in West Java presents an important opportunity for experienced organizations to support sustainable water and sanitation systems in Indonesia. By strengthening governance, improving safely managed drinking water and sanitation services, promoting climate-resilient water stewardship, and fostering collaboration among governments, communities, academia, civil society, and the private sector, the initiative aims to build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable WASH services that improve the health, well-being, and future of children and communities across West Java.