Deadline: 22-Jun-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting NGOs and CSOs to implement a climate-smart dairy development project in Sri Lanka under the JSB CP-5 Project. The initiative focuses on strengthening rural livelihoods, improving dairy value chains, promoting women’s empowerment, and integrating clean energy solutions in dairy production systems.
The project targets 350 beneficiaries in Nuwara Eliya District and includes infrastructure development, training, veterinary services, and low-emission milk collection systems over an 8-month period (July 2026–February 2027) with a maximum budget of LKR 45.2 million.
Overview of the UNDP Climate-Smart Dairy Programme
The UNDP initiative aims to support sustainable dairy sector transformation in Sri Lanka through climate-smart agriculture and community-based development.
It focuses on improving:
- Rural livelihoods and income generation
- Dairy production efficiency
- Climate resilience in farming systems
- Women’s participation in agriculture
- Clean energy integration in rural economies
Core Objective
The main objective of the programme is to:
- Strengthen climate-smart dairy value chains
- Improve resilience of vulnerable farming communities
- Enhance productivity and sustainability in dairy production
- Promote clean energy and low-emission logistics systems
- Empower women smallholder farmers
Geographic Focus
The project is implemented in:
- Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka
Key Thematic Areas
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Dairy Development
- Sustainable dairy farming practices
- Improved livestock management
- Climate adaptation in agriculture
- Productivity enhancement in smallholder dairy systems
Clean Energy Integration
- Renewable energy-powered milk collection systems
- Low-emission dairy logistics solutions
- Electric three-wheeler deployment for milk transport
- Energy-efficient rural infrastructure
Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Inclusion of women smallholder farmers
- Capacity building for women-led dairy households
- Income diversification opportunities
- Strengthening women’s participation in cooperatives
Community Resilience Building
- Climate vulnerability reduction
- Improved livelihoods for rural households
- Strengthening local cooperative systems
- Enhancing food security
Dairy Value Chain Strengthening
- Infrastructure development
- Milk collection and storage systems
- Veterinary and livestock services
- Training and extension support
Project Scope of Work
Beneficiary Targeting
- Selection and mobilization of 350 beneficiaries
- Baseline and feasibility assessments
- Climate vulnerability analysis
- Dairy value chain mapping
Infrastructure Development
- Procurement and installation of dairy infrastructure
- Renewable energy-powered milk collection units
- Operationalization and maintenance training
Clean Transport Systems
- Deployment of electric three-wheelers
- Low-emission milk collection logistics
- Operational training for users
Veterinary and Extension Services
- Animal health support
- Livestock management advisory services
- Deployment of qualified veterinary experts
Training and Capacity Building
Approximately 20 training sessions covering:
- Dairy management practices
- Animal health and livestock care
- Clean energy usage in agriculture
- Cooperative strengthening and governance
- Climate-smart farming techniques
Project Timeline
- Duration: 8 months
- Start: July 2026
- End: February 2027
Budget and Financial Conditions
- Maximum total budget: LKR 45,209,032.31
- Administrative and coordination costs: max 10% of total budget
- Strict compliance required for cost eligibility
Evaluation Threshold
- Minimum technical score required: 700 / 1000
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must be:
- Registered NGOs or CSOs
- Minimum 2 years of experience in community engagement
Required Experience
Applicants must demonstrate:
Technical Experience
- Climate or economically vulnerable community work
- Dairy or agriculture-related development experience
- Capacity building and training delivery
Operational Requirements
- Field presence in target areas
- Strong partnerships with local stakeholders
- Collaboration with government institutions
Organisational Capacity
- Project management expertise
- Financial accountability systems
- Monitoring and evaluation capacity
- Bilingual reporting (local language + English)
Preferred Experience
- Prior experience with UNDP or international agencies
- Expertise in rural infrastructure development
- Experience in climate resilience programming
Application Requirements
Proposals must include:
- Technical proposal
- Financial proposal
- Combined submission as a single package
- Full compliance with eligibility and budget rules
Non-compliant or over-budget proposals will be rejected.
Key Deliverables
- Beneficiary selection and baseline study
- Dairy infrastructure deployment
- Clean energy logistics system setup
- Training programme delivery
- Veterinary service implementation
- Monitoring and evaluation reports
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Exceeding maximum budget limit
- Weak climate-smart agriculture integration
- Insufficient dairy sector experience
- Lack of field presence in Nuwara Eliya
- Missing technical experts for infrastructure or veterinary services
- Poor financial or M&E systems
- Non-compliance with bilingual reporting requirements
Why This Programme Matters
This UNDP initiative supports:
- Climate-resilient agriculture systems in Sri Lanka
- Sustainable dairy sector transformation
- Improved livelihoods for vulnerable rural communities
- Women’s empowerment in smallholder farming
- Clean energy adoption in rural economies
- Strengthened local dairy value chains
It integrates climate action with economic development and rural inclusion.
FAQ
What is the UNDP dairy programme about?
It is a climate-smart dairy development project in Sri Lanka focused on improving livelihoods, resilience, and dairy value chains.
Who can apply?
Registered NGOs and CSOs with at least 2 years of relevant experience.
What is the project duration?
8 months, from July 2026 to February 2027.
What is the maximum budget?
LKR 45,209,032.31 with a 10% cap on administrative costs.
How many beneficiaries are targeted?
350 beneficiaries in Nuwara Eliya District.
What are key activities?
Infrastructure development, training, veterinary services, and clean energy-based milk collection systems.
What is the evaluation requirement?
Proposals must score at least 700 out of 1000 points.
Conclusion
The UNDP Sri Lanka Climate-Smart Dairy Initiative is a targeted rural development programme combining climate adaptation, clean energy, and agricultural development. By supporting NGOs and CSOs to implement dairy value chain improvements, it aims to strengthen livelihoods, empower women farmers, and build resilient, low-emission agricultural systems in vulnerable communities.
For more information, visit UNDP.