Deadline: 05-Feb-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a Request for Proposal under its Youth Empowerment for Climate Action Platform to select an organization that will lead climate change and environmental justice capacity-building for youth across the Pacific. The initiative aims to strengthen youth environmental rights, expand civic space, and enable meaningful youth participation in environmental governance and decision-making. The selected organization will support inclusive, youth-led climate and environmental action at scale across the Pacific region.
Programme Overview
The Youth Empowerment for Climate Action Platform is a UNDP-led initiative focused on empowering young people to actively engage in climate action and environmental governance.
Through this Request for Proposal (RFP), UNDP seeks an experienced organization to design and deliver capacity-building, training, and partnership activities that address environmental injustices and strengthen youth leadership across Pacific countries.
The initiative recognizes youth as key agents of change in advancing environmental justice, climate resilience, and sustainable development in the Pacific.
Programme Objectives
The core objective of the initiative is to strengthen youth capacity to understand, claim, and exercise environmental rights while actively participating in climate and environmental decision-making processes.
Specific objectives include:
-
Addressing environmental injustices affecting youth in the Pacific
-
Strengthening youth capacity to realize and exercise environmental rights
-
Expanding civic space for youth engagement
-
Enabling meaningful youth participation in environmental governance
-
Supporting environmental rule of law and accountability
-
Promoting inclusive, youth-led climate and environmental action
Key Focus Areas and Thematic Priorities
Proposed activities must align with the following priority areas:
-
Environmental justice and climate justice for youth
-
Environmental rights and international environmental legal frameworks
-
Youth participation in environmental governance and decision-making
-
Environmental rule of law and accountability mechanisms
-
Awareness of entry points for climate and environmental action
-
Capacity-building on global and regional environmental frameworks
-
Inclusive engagement of Indigenous youth and marginalized communities
-
Scaling youth-led environmental initiatives across the Pacific
Capacity-Building and Training Components
The programme places strong emphasis on structured learning and practical capacity-building.
Key components include:
-
Targeted trainings on environmental rights and legal frameworks
-
Capacity-building on international environmental and climate agreements
-
Practical tools for youth engagement in governance processes
-
Skills development for advocacy, participation, and leadership
-
Learning initiatives that build confidence and long-term engagement
These activities are designed to equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to influence environmental decision-making.
Collaboration and Partnership Approach
A central pillar of the initiative is collaboration and network-building across the Pacific.
The selected organization is expected to:
-
Strengthen partnerships among youth organizations
-
Engage civil society organizations and academic institutions
-
Collaborate with Indigenous groups and community leaders
-
Facilitate cross-sector dialogue and collective action
-
Build and sustain regional youth networks
Through partnership-driven approaches, the initiative aims to amplify impact and ensure inclusive representation across diverse Pacific contexts.
Geographic Scope
The initiative covers Pacific Island countries and territories, with activities designed to support youth-led environmental action at national and regional levels across the Pacific region.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Organizations applying under this RFP must meet all eligibility and capacity requirements.
Organizational Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
-
Be a legally registered organization
-
Demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:
-
Youth empowerment
-
Skills development
-
Community building
-
Social entrepreneurship
-
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) awareness
-
Project Experience Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
-
Successful implementation of at least two comparable projects
-
Each project must have a minimum value of USD 40,000
-
Projects must have been implemented within the past three years
Financial Capacity Requirements
Organizations must show:
-
An average annual turnover of at least USD 80,000
-
Financial stability supported by audited financial statements for the last two years
Compliance and Documentation Requirements
Applicants must fully comply with UNDP procurement and partnership standards.
Mandatory requirements include:
-
Valid organizational registration documents
-
Proof of tax compliance
-
Audited financial reports
-
Performance references from previous partners or donors
-
Evidence of coordinating youth-led initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region
Failure to meet compliance requirements may result in disqualification.
Why This Initiative Matters
Youth across the Pacific are disproportionately affected by climate change and environmental degradation, despite contributing least to the crisis.
This initiative directly addresses environmental injustice by empowering young people with the tools, knowledge, and networks needed to influence environmental governance and policy decisions.
By strengthening youth leadership and participation, the programme supports more inclusive, accountable, and resilient environmental decision-making systems.
How the RFP Works
Step-by-Step Process
-
UNDP issues a Request for Proposal under the Youth Empowerment for Climate Action Platform
-
Eligible organizations submit technical and financial proposals
-
Proposals are assessed based on experience, capacity, and alignment with programme objectives
-
One organization is selected to lead regional capacity-building activities
-
The selected organization designs and implements trainings, partnerships, and youth-led initiatives
-
UNDP monitors progress and provides strategic oversight
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Submitting proposals without sufficient youth empowerment or environmental justice experience
-
Failing to demonstrate regional or Asia-Pacific coordination capacity
-
Weak financial documentation or missing audited reports
-
Proposing activities that do not clearly support youth participation in governance
-
Limited inclusion of Indigenous youth and marginalized communities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can apply for this UNDP RFP?
Legally registered organizations with at least three years of experience in youth empowerment or related fields.
Is this opportunity open to individual consultants?
No. This RFP is open only to organizations, not individuals.
What is the geographic focus of the initiative?
The programme focuses on youth across Pacific Island countries and territories.
What type of activities are expected?
Capacity-building, trainings, partnership-building, network development, and support for youth-led environmental action.
Are Indigenous groups included in the programme design?
Yes. Inclusive engagement of Indigenous youth and communities is a core priority.
What financial capacity must applicants demonstrate?
An average annual turnover of at least USD 80,000 over the last two audited years.
Does UNDP require prior experience in the Asia-Pacific region?
Yes. Applicants must provide evidence of coordinating youth-led initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
Conclusion
The UNDP Youth Empowerment for Climate Action Platform RFP represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen youth leadership, environmental justice, and climate action across the Pacific.
By investing in capacity-building, partnerships, and youth-led governance engagement, the initiative aims to create lasting, inclusive, and scalable impact for climate resilience and environmental sustainability in the region.
For more information, visit UNDP.
