Deadline: 03-Apr-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting applications for projects that strengthen local resilience and protect vulnerable populations in San Juan, Dominican Republic. The initiative focuses on community mobilization, nutrition, livelihoods, protection, climate-resilient agriculture, and integrated territorial food systems.
Overview of the Initiative
The WFP San Juan Resilience Program aims to support community-based prevention, mitigation, and response mechanisms (RCPMR) to improve food security, nutrition, and protection for vulnerable populations. Key objectives include:
- Enhancing coexistence and engagement with local communities
- Promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods
- Preventing and treating malnutrition
- Strengthening general protection and protection in emergencies
- Building institutional and community capacity to manage risks
Context and Need
San Juan province is a major producer of staple grains and strategic crops, but structural challenges such as climate variability, resource sustainability, and exposure to extreme events affect food security. School-aged children are particularly vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies. The Dominican government has committed to high-level initiatives including:
- Hunger Zero 2028
- National Development Strategy 2030
- National Biodiversity Strategy
These initiatives promote sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient food systems by integrating production, consumption, nutrition, social protection, financing, territorial governance, and environmental sustainability.
Program Focus Areas
The joint program “Impulsando la Transformación de los Sistemas Alimentarios en la República Dominicana” emphasizes:
- School food environments and nutrition-sensitive interventions
- Ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient agriculture
- Territorial risk management and participatory community planning
- Green financial inclusion and multi-level governance
- Integration of gender, youth, and small-scale producer participation
- Scalable and replicable models for future policy and investment
Project Activities
Selected projects will implement the following actions:
- Community Network Formation: Establish and train two RCPMR networks in San Juan
- Vulnerability Assessment: Identify interventions in the most at-risk communities in coordination with local authorities
- Risk Analysis: Conduct comprehensive risk and needs assessments
- Capacity Building: Coordinate training with relevant authorities using methodologies endorsed by the National Emergency Commission
- Community Planning: Develop participatory plans validated through simulation exercises, incorporating protection and gender approaches
- Monitoring and Reporting: Systematize actions, maintain feedback mechanisms with communities, and ensure complementarity with other WFP initiatives
Who is Eligible?
- Organizations or entities working with local communities in San Juan
- Entities capable of implementing community-based prevention, mitigation, and response activities
- Groups committed to gender-inclusive, participatory, and sustainable approaches
How the Program Works
- Application Submission: Submit a proposal aligned with WFP objectives and San Juan community needs
- Selection: WFP evaluates applications for feasibility, community impact, and alignment with integrated food system strategies
- Implementation: Establish networks, conduct risk analysis, and deliver capacity-building interventions
- Monitoring: Track project outcomes and ensure coordination with local authorities and WFP initiatives
- Reporting: Provide systematic feedback, document lessons learned, and integrate findings into broader WFP programming
Tips for Applicants
- Ensure alignment with integrated food system and resilience objectives
- Prioritize vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and small-scale producers
- Emphasize participatory and inclusive planning methodologies
- Incorporate risk management, protection, and gender approaches in all activities
- Demonstrate how interventions complement existing WFP programs
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring local context or failing to engage communities actively
- Overlooking integration with WFP’s ongoing initiatives and national strategies
- Excluding gender, youth, or smallholder farmer considerations
- Insufficient planning for monitoring, reporting, and community feedback
- Failing to follow risk management methodologies endorsed by authorities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main goal of the program? To strengthen community resilience, food security, and protection for vulnerable populations in San Juan.
2. Which population groups are prioritized? Women, youth, small-scale producers, and other vulnerable community members.
3. What is RCPMR? Community-based prevention, mitigation, and response networks for disaster and risk management.
4. How will projects be implemented? Through participatory community plans, capacity building, risk analysis, and network training.
5. What strategies support sustainability? Climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and multi-level governance.
6. Are gender considerations required? Yes, all activities must integrate protection and gender approaches.
7. How will results be monitored? Projects must maintain systematic reporting, feedback mechanisms, and complement WFP’s broader initiatives.
Conclusion
The WFP San Juan initiative provides a structured platform for organizations to enhance local resilience, protect vulnerable populations, and promote sustainable, climate-resilient food systems. By supporting participatory, gender-sensitive, and community-driven interventions, the program strengthens institutional and local capacities while creating scalable models for broader replication in the Dominican Republic.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
