CFPs: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Climate Resilience through Local Action (Afghanistan)

Deadline: 27-Jan-2026

UN Women invites women-led and gender-focused civil society organizations in Afghanistan to implement projects that enhance climate resilience and social cohesion. Funding supports community-led climate action, public awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives that amplify women’s participation in climate planning and advocacy.

Overview

UN Women’s program targets local women-led and gender-focused organizations to foster climate resilience and social cohesion in Afghanistan. Projects aim to strengthen community-led climate action, enhance awareness of climate challenges, and increase women’s engagement in planning, decision-making, and advocacy related to climate change.

Focus Areas

1. Climate Awareness and Inclusive Public Discourse

• Objective: Increase public understanding of climate change and its gendered impacts.

• Activities Supported:

  • Media campaigns using television, radio, and digital platforms

  • Development of locally relevant narratives highlighting women, children, and displaced populations

  • Support for women media professionals reporting on climate and humanitarian issues

2. Community-Level Climate Action

• Objective: Promote cooperative, inclusive climate solutions at the community level.

• Activities Supported:

  • Sustainable water management

  • Climate-smart agriculture

  • Reforestation initiatives

  • Disaster risk reduction programs

• Expected Impact: Empower women as community leaders, strengthen social cohesion, and reduce vulnerability to environmental risks.

3. Civil Society Capacity and Coordination

• Objective: Build the capacity of organizations to advocate for and implement climate solutions.

• Activities Supported:

  • Training to enhance technical knowledge and organizational capabilities

  • Development of multi-stakeholder collaboration mechanisms

  • Support for participation of women in local and international climate decision-making

• Considerations: Projects must integrate conflict sensitivity, ensure participant safety, and adapt to Afghanistan’s operational challenges.

Context and Rationale

Afghanistan ranks sixth globally on the INFORM Climate Risk Index, facing recurrent droughts, floods, and extreme heat. These risks threaten livelihoods, food security, and community resilience. Women and children are disproportionately affected due to limited access to education, decision-making, and timely information, making targeted interventions essential.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible organizations must:

• Be women-led or gender-focused civil society organizations operating effectively in Afghanistan

• Ensure participation of women and girls from hard-to-reach populations

• Implement monitoring and evaluation processes to collect baseline and end-line data

• Demonstrate capacity to navigate complex operational and security challenges

How to Apply

1. Verify Eligibility: Confirm your organization is women-led or gender-focused and operates effectively in Afghanistan.

2. Select Focus Area: Choose from media/public awareness, community-level climate action, or civil society capacity-building.

3. Develop Proposal: Include objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and monitoring plans.

4. Include Participation Plans: Ensure inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups.

5. Submit Application: Follow UN Women submission guidelines and deadlines.

6. Evaluation: Applications are assessed on relevance, feasibility, inclusion, impact potential, and adaptability to local conditions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Targeting projects without women’s active participation

• Neglecting monitoring and evaluation processes

• Proposing activities unsuitable for Afghanistan’s operational or security context

• Failing to include hard-to-reach or marginalized populations

• Omitting conflict-sensitive or safety measures

FAQ: UN Women Afghanistan Climate Initiative

1. Who can apply? Women-led and gender-focused civil society organizations operating in Afghanistan.
2. What types of projects are eligible? Community-level climate action, media awareness campaigns, and capacity-building for civil society.
3. Are women from hard-to-reach areas prioritized? Yes, inclusion of women and girls from marginalized populations is required.
4. What monitoring is required? Baseline and end-line data collection to measure project outcomes.
5. Can projects include digital or media components? Yes, campaigns through television, radio, and digital platforms are encouraged.
6. Are there safety requirements? Projects must prioritize participant safety and integrate conflict-sensitive approaches.
7. How is impact assessed? Based on social cohesion, climate resilience, women’s participation, and community engagement.

Why It Matters

This initiative addresses climate vulnerability and gender inequality in Afghanistan by empowering women as leaders and decision-makers. By fostering inclusive climate action, public awareness, and organizational capacity, the program strengthens community resilience and promotes sustainable, equitable outcomes.

Conclusion

UN Women’s funding provides a crucial opportunity for women-led and gender-focused organizations to implement impactful climate and social cohesion projects. By combining awareness, capacity-building, and community action, projects can amplify women’s voices, reduce climate vulnerability, and strengthen cohesive, resilient communities in Afghanistan.

For more information, visit UN Women.