Climate-Resilient WASH Systems Strengthening in Schools and Anganwadi Centres (India)

UNICEF is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from NGOs and CSOs to provide technical assistance for strengthening climate-resilient WASH systems in schools and Anganwadi Centres across Jharkhand, India. The programme focuses on water, sanitation, hygiene, climate resilience, institutional capacity building, behaviour change, and sustainable service delivery aligned with major government schemes.

Eligible organizations with experience in WASH, education, sanitation, public systems, or community development may apply to support large-scale implementation in Jharkhand.

What Is the UNICEF Jharkhand WASH Initiative?

This initiative supports the Government of Jharkhand in improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems in public institutions.

The programme focuses on:

Schools
Anganwadi Centres
Government systems
Climate-resilient infrastructure
Inclusive sanitation access
Sustainable maintenance systems
Community hygiene behaviour change

The goal is to build stronger, safer, greener, and more resilient public service systems for children and communities.

What Does WASH Mean?

WASH stands for:

Water – safe drinking water access
Sanitation – toilets and waste management
Hygiene – handwashing, menstrual hygiene, cleanliness practices

WASH is essential for child health, school attendance, nutrition, and dignity.

Geographic Focus

State: Jharkhand
Country: India

Implementation is expected across multiple districts and institutions.

Main Priority Areas

Core Themes

WASH and environment
Basic sanitation
Hygiene promotion
Water access
Climate action
Natural resource management
WASH in emergencies
Inclusive infrastructure

Alignment With Government Programmes

The initiative supports major Indian flagship schemes such as:

Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar
Swachh Bharat Mission
Jal Jeevan Mission

This alignment helps improve scale, sustainability, and public system integration.

Key Objectives of the Programme

1. Strengthen School WASH Systems

Improve WASH access in schools through:

Safe drinking water
Gender-segregated toilets
Child-friendly facilities
Accessible infrastructure for children with disabilities
Hygiene systems

2. Build Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Promote environmentally sustainable solutions such as:

Water conservation
Green campus practices
Climate adaptation measures
Resource-efficient sanitation systems

3. Improve Anganwadi Centre WASH Services

Support early childhood centres through:

Daily WASH planning
Functional toilets and water systems
Clean learning environments
Better maintenance systems

4. Build Institutional Capacity

Strengthen government systems through:

Training modules
Standard operating procedures
District action plans
State-level manuals
Coordination mechanisms

5. Behaviour Change and Community Engagement

Promote healthy practices through:

Hygiene campaigns
Community mobilization
School leadership engagement
Parent and local group participation

6. Knowledge Management and Scaling

Document success models through:

Case studies
Learning materials
Communication tools
Replication strategies

Who Is Eligible?

UNICEF is inviting Expressions of Interest from qualified organizations.

Likely Eligible Applicants

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
Civil society organizations (CSOs)
Technical support agencies
Development organizations
Public health or WASH-focused institutions
Education sector implementation partners

Preferred Experience Areas

WASH systems strengthening
Government programme support
School sanitation
Child development programmes
Climate resilience
Community behaviour change
Monitoring and evaluation

Why This Opportunity Matters

Jharkhand has significant needs in school and child-centre infrastructure. Strong WASH systems improve health, attendance, learning, nutrition, and dignity.

Strategic Benefits

Better child health outcomes
Improved school attendance
Safer sanitation for girls
Stronger early childhood centres
Climate resilience in institutions
Better use of public funds
Sustainable public systems

What the Selected Partner May Do

The implementing partner may support:

Technical assessments
State and district planning
Capacity building workshops
SOP/manual development
Hygiene campaigns
Monitoring systems
Convergence between departments
Documentation of best practices

How to Apply

Step 1: Review EOI Requirements

Check official UNICEF eligibility conditions, scope, and submission guidelines.

Step 2: Demonstrate Organizational Capacity

Prepare evidence of:

Relevant project experience
Team expertise
State or district implementation experience
Government coordination ability

Step 3: Prepare Technical Proposal

Include:

Understanding of Jharkhand context
Delivery model
Staffing plan
Timeline
Risk mitigation
Sustainability strategy

Step 4: Submit Required Documents

Likely documents may include:

Registration certificates
Financial statements
Previous experience profile
References
Proposal forms

Step 5: Submit Before Deadline

Ensure timely submission through the official UNICEF procurement or partnership channel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Application Errors

Incomplete documentation
Weak institutional profile
Generic proposal not tailored to Jharkhand
Missing financial compliance records
Late submission

Strategic Errors

No systems approach
Weak government engagement plan
No sustainability model
Limited inclusion strategy
Poor climate resilience integration

Tips for a Strong Application

Show experience in government partnerships
Demonstrate measurable WASH results
Include district-level delivery capacity
Highlight child-centred inclusive design
Present practical climate solutions
Use strong monitoring indicators

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is this UNICEF Jharkhand opportunity?

It is an EOI inviting NGOs/CSOs to support climate-resilient WASH systems in schools and Anganwadi Centres.

2. What does WASH stand for?

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

3. Where will the programme be implemented?

Across Jharkhand, India.

4. Who can apply?

Eligible NGOs, CSOs, and organizations with relevant WASH or systems-strengthening experience.

5. What institutions are covered?

Schools and Anganwadi Centres.

6. Why is climate resilience included?

To ensure infrastructure and services remain functional during environmental stress and future climate risks.

7. What kind of support is UNICEF seeking?

Technical assistance, planning, training, coordination, implementation support, and knowledge management.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Jharkhand Climate-Resilient WASH Programme 2026 is a major opportunity for capable organizations to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene systems for children at scale. By strengthening schools, Anganwadi Centres, and government systems, the initiative can create long-term health and education benefits.

Qualified organizations should submit a strong, implementation-ready proposal demonstrating WASH expertise, public systems experience, and sustainable impact.