Deadline: 24-Apr-2026
UNICEF India is seeking partners to address the impact of heatwaves and air pollution on children and youth, focusing on policy advocacy, evidence generation, and child-sensitive climate action. The initiative aims to strengthen national coordination, integrate child-specific measures into climate and disaster frameworks, and produce actionable recommendations over a 12-month period.
Overview of the Initiative
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) invites grant applications from organizations to implement child-focused climate and environmental interventions in India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.
The programme focuses on:
- Developing evidence products and policy briefs for government stakeholders
- Facilitating inter-ministerial coordination on child-sensitive climate action
- Strengthening national policy narratives to recognize heatwaves and air pollution as interconnected risks to child health and development
- Establishing structured advocacy platforms to incorporate child-focused measures into climate, disaster risk reduction, and public awareness initiatives
Objectives
- Enhance Policy Integration – Embed child-sensitive considerations into national climate, environmental, and disaster management frameworks.
- Generate Evidence – Produce data-driven insights and policy briefs that reflect the combined impact of heatwaves and air pollution on children.
- Mobilize Stakeholders – Engage government ministries, youth, and civil society through consultations, advocacy, and awareness campaigns.
- Influence Public Communication – Develop media materials and public campaigns to raise awareness of child vulnerabilities.
- Consolidate Youth Voices – Conduct youth consultations and produce a Youth Voice Paper to guide national policy recommendations.
Who is Eligible
Eligible applicants include:
- Civil society organizations (CSOs) and NGOs working in child health, climate change, disaster risk reduction, or public policy advocacy
- Academic and research institutions with expertise in environmental health and child-sensitive interventions
- Entities with capacity to produce policy briefs, evidence products, and advocacy materials
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience in child-focused climate, environmental, or public health projects
- Capacity to facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy
- Ability to work in Uttar Pradesh and across national-level frameworks
Project Duration and Deliverables
- Duration: 12 months
- Key Deliverables:
- National advocacy roadmap integrating child-focused measures
- Evidence and policy briefs targeting government stakeholders
- Media fact pack to engage youth and civil society
- Youth consultations leading to a consolidated Youth Voice Paper
- National-level discussions to align policies across sectors
- Actionable framework for integration into policy and program planning
Why This Initiative Matters
- Addresses the vulnerability of children and youth to climate hazards and air pollution
- Promotes child-centered policy adoption and national coordination
- Supports evidence-based advocacy for integrated environmental and disaster risk strategies
- Enhances resilience, health, and safety of children in high-risk regions
- Prioritizes child-specific needs in national climate and disaster management planning
Tips for Applicants
- Highlight experience in child-sensitive climate or health interventions
- Demonstrate ability to produce policy and evidence-based advocacy outputs
- Showcase capacity to engage youth and civil society in consultations
- Emphasize potential to influence national and sub-national policy frameworks
- Align project objectives with UNICEF priorities and child rights principles
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply?
CSOs, NGOs, and research institutions with expertise in child health, climate, environmental policy, or disaster risk reduction.
2. What is the project focus?
Addressing the interconnected risks of heatwaves and air pollution on children and youth, through policy, advocacy, and awareness initiatives.
3. What is the project duration?
12 months.
4. What outputs are expected?
National advocacy roadmap, policy briefs, media fact pack, youth consultations, Youth Voice Paper, and actionable recommendations for policy integration.
5. Which regions are targeted?
Primarily Uttar Pradesh, with relevance for national-level policy frameworks.
6. Are youth involved in the project?
Yes, the initiative includes youth consultations to ensure their voices shape advocacy and policy recommendations.
7. How does the project influence policy?
By producing evidence-based briefs, facilitating multi-ministerial coordination, and promoting child-sensitive measures in climate, disaster, and environmental policies.
Conclusion
The UNICEF India Heatwaves and Air Pollution Initiative offers a strategic opportunity to protect children and youth from climate-related hazards. By supporting child-sensitive policy adoption, evidence generation, and youth engagement, the project strengthens national coordination, integrates children’s needs into environmental and disaster frameworks, and promotes safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.