Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is offering grants to support early recovery, resilience, and community well-being in Gaza across sectors such as water, shelter, debris management, education, agriculture, and economic recovery. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $500,000, depending on the scale of the project and the capacity of the participating organization. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit civil society organizations and semi-governmental entities operating in Gaza with relevant sector expertise.
Overview
The UNDP Gaza Early Recovery Programme aims to restore essential services, rebuild community resilience, and support sustainable development in Gaza through partnerships with local organizations.
The programme focuses on community-led recovery initiatives that address urgent humanitarian needs while also supporting long-term development and economic stability. It works with civil society organizations that have strong community connections and proven expertise in key sectors.
Projects funded through this initiative will contribute to restoring infrastructure, strengthening livelihoods, supporting education, and improving environmental and social conditions across Gaza.
Funding Amount and Project Categories
UNDP has structured the funding into three categories based on the capacity and experience of participating organizations.
Small-scale projects:
• Funding range: $10,000 – $49,000
Medium-scale projects:
• Funding range: $50,000 – $149,999
Large-scale projects:
• Funding range: $149,999 – $500,000
The selected project size will depend on the organizational capacity, operational experience, and scope of proposed activities.
Key Focus Areas and Supported Activities
The programme supports projects across multiple recovery and development sectors.
Water and Sanitation
Activities may include:
• Trucking safe drinking water to communities
• Assessing and rehabilitating municipal water supply systems
• Restoring wastewater treatment infrastructure
• Conducting hygiene awareness campaigns
• Organizing community education on sustainable water use
These interventions aim to ensure safe water access and improved public health conditions.
Shelter and Housing
Shelter-related activities focus on restoring housing and improving living conditions.
Examples include:
• Community-based housing repair programmes
• Recycling and repurposing building materials
• Emergency shelter assistance for displaced families
• Community advocacy for self-help housing solutions
• Promotion of climate-resilient housing models
Debris Management
Debris removal is critical for rebuilding infrastructure and improving safety.
Projects may involve:
• Risk assessment of debris sites
• Safe debris removal and sorting
• Preparing recyclable construction materials for reuse
• Awareness campaigns on unexploded ordnance (UXO) risks
• Ensuring inclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable groups
Debris management efforts will often be conducted in coordination with mine action partners such as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
Solid Waste Management
Projects may strengthen municipal waste systems by supporting:
• Daily waste collection and transfer operations
• Fuel and logistics management for waste services
• Community awareness campaigns on waste management
• Training for waste management staff
• Sorting and recycling of reusable materials
These activities help improve urban sanitation and environmental sustainability.
Education and Learning
Education interventions aim to restore learning opportunities for children and youth.
Potential activities include:
• Organizing secondary school examinations
• Providing educational scholarships
• Establishing temporary learning spaces
• Delivering psychosocial support programmes
• Training teachers and educators
• Developing digital and virtual training materials
• Supporting education for persons with disabilities
Agriculture and Food Security
Agricultural initiatives support food production and community livelihoods.
Examples include:
• Reforestation and land rehabilitation projects
• Community gardens and agricultural nurseries
• Distribution of agricultural inputs
• Income-generating initiatives for women and youth farmers
• Introducing innovative farming techniques such as:
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Vertical farming
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Rooftop agriculture
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Aquaponics
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Hydroponics
These approaches aim to increase local food production and climate-resilient agriculture.
Community Engagement and Social Cohesion
Projects are expected to promote inclusive community participation.
Activities may include:
• Establishing inclusive community committees
• Conducting consultations and focus group discussions
• Applying vulnerability criteria to support marginalized groups
• Promoting civic participation and volunteerism
• Strengthening social cohesion and local governance
• Documenting success stories and lessons learned
Economic Recovery and Livelihoods
Economic recovery activities focus on restoring income opportunities.
Examples include:
• Job creation and employment programmes
• Technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
• Work placement opportunities
• Business development and entrepreneurship training
• Freelancing and digital work support
• Mentorship programmes for TVET graduates
These initiatives help communities rebuild sustainable livelihoods and economic resilience.
Who Is Eligible?
Organizations must meet specific requirements to participate in the programme.
Eligible applicants include:
• Not-for-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) operating in Gaza
• Semi-governmental organizations with relevant operational capacity
• Organizations with demonstrated sector expertise and proven project experience
Applicants must also:
• Operate within Gaza
• Demonstrate a track record of implementing similar projects
• Submit a signed declaration confirming no conflict of interest with UNDP or project partners
Why This Programme Matters
The Gaza Early Recovery Programme addresses critical needs in communities affected by conflict and infrastructure damage.
Its importance lies in:
• Restoring essential services such as water, housing, and education
• Supporting community-led reconstruction efforts
• Strengthening local organizations and institutions
• Promoting sustainable economic recovery and employment
• Building resilience among vulnerable populations
By partnering with local organizations, UNDP ensures that recovery efforts are community-driven, inclusive, and sustainable.
How to Apply
Organizations interested in participating should follow these steps.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organization:
• Operates as a not-for-profit entity in Gaza
• Has relevant sector expertise
• Has a track record of implementing projects in similar sectors
Step 2: Identify a Project Area
Choose one or more sectors aligned with the programme priorities, such as:
• Water and sanitation
• Shelter and housing
• Debris management
• Waste management
• Education
• Agriculture
• Community engagement
• Economic recovery
Step 3: Develop a Project Proposal
Your proposal should clearly describe:
• The community problem being addressed
• Planned activities and expected outcomes
• Target beneficiaries
• Implementation timeline
• Budget within the appropriate funding bracket
Step 4: Provide Required Declarations
Applicants must submit a signed statement confirming no conflict of interest with UNDP or project partners.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Applications should be submitted through the official UNDP partner or grant application system as outlined in the programme call.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Organizations should avoid these common issues when preparing proposals.
1. Weak community engagement plans
Projects should demonstrate clear participation from local communities and stakeholders.
2. Limited evidence of organizational capacity
Applicants should provide examples of previous successful projects.
3. Overly broad project scope
Proposals should focus on realistic, clearly defined interventions.
4. Incomplete risk and safety considerations
Projects involving debris or infrastructure must address safety and UXO risk mitigation.
5. Lack of sustainability planning
Successful proposals demonstrate long-term community benefits beyond the project period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the goal of the UNDP Gaza Early Recovery Programme?
The programme aims to support community recovery, resilience, and economic development in Gaza by funding projects implemented by local civil society organizations.
2. How much funding is available for projects?
Projects can receive funding between $10,000 and $500,000, depending on the project scale and organizational capacity.
3. Who can apply for these grants?
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit civil society organizations and semi-governmental organizations operating in Gaza with relevant expertise and experience.
4. What sectors does the programme support?
The programme supports projects in water, shelter, debris management, solid waste, education, agriculture, community engagement, and economic recovery.
5. Are partnerships required?
Organizations may collaborate with other partners, but they must demonstrate clear implementation capacity and sector expertise.
6. Is prior project experience required?
Yes. Applicants must show a proven track record in relevant sectors.
7. What documentation is required during the application?
Applicants must submit a project proposal, organizational information, and a signed declaration confirming no conflict of interest.
Conclusion
The UNDP Gaza Early Recovery Programme provides vital funding to support community recovery and sustainable development across Gaza. By partnering with experienced local organizations, the initiative aims to restore infrastructure, strengthen livelihoods, and rebuild resilient communities.
Civil society organizations with expertise in sectors such as water, education, agriculture, housing, and economic development are strongly encouraged to apply and contribute to long-term recovery and stability in Gaza.
For more information, visit UNDP.
