Grant Support to Enhance Early Warning and Early Action Systems for Climate Risks (Laos)

Deadline: 26-Mar-2026

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is offering grants up to USD 60,000 to strengthen early warning and early action systems for meteorological, hydrological, and climate extremes in Lao PDR. The CREWS 2.0 initiative supports provincial disaster risk reduction strategies, coordination mechanisms, and integration of local and indigenous knowledge to improve disaster preparedness and resilience.

Overview

The CREWS 2.0 initiative in Lao PDR aims to enhance people-centred, inclusive early warning and early action systems (EW4All). Through this grant, UNDRR seeks to partner with organizations capable of supporting provincial, national, and community-level disaster risk reduction processes, ensuring timely, inclusive, and effective implementation of activities.

Objectives

• Strengthen provincial disaster risk reduction strategies

• Improve EW4All coordination mechanisms at national and local levels

• Generate evidence on local, indigenous, and traditional knowledge for disaster preparedness

• Support operational coordination, field facilitation, and logistical management to implement CREWS 2.0 activities

Grant Details

• Maximum grant amount: USD 60,000

• Project duration: Cannot extend beyond 31 December 2027

• Funding covers activities such as:

  • Seminars, workshops, and trainings

  • Capacity-building initiatives for local and provincial stakeholders

  • Institutional strengthening efforts

  • Advocacy and awareness campaigns to reinforce early warning and disaster preparedness

Ineligible Expenditures

• Capital expenditures (land, buildings, equipment, vehicles)

• Individual scholarships not included in the proposal

• Support for political parties

• Sub-contracting without prior UNDRR authorization

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include organizations capable of:

• Delivering programmatic results aligned with national disaster risk reduction priorities

• Coordinating with UNDRR and government counterparts for alignment and compliance

• Implementing inclusive, people-centred approaches at provincial, community, and national levels

• Managing logistical and operational aspects of CREWS 2.0 activities

How to Apply

1. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure your organization can support disaster risk reduction coordination, capacity building, and advocacy in Lao PDR

2. Develop Proposal: Include objectives, planned activities, methodology, timelines, and detailed budget

3. Submission: Follow UNDRR grant application procedures, clearly indicating how proposed activities support CREWS 2.0 goals

4. Implementation Plan: Demonstrate capacity to coordinate with provincial authorities, field actors, and UNDRR for smooth execution

5. Compliance Check: Ensure all planned expenditures comply with grant rules; avoid capital purchases and unapproved sub-contracting

Why This Grant Matters

• Enhances early warning systems to save lives and protect communities from climate, meteorological, and hydrological hazards

• Integrates local, indigenous, and traditional knowledge into disaster preparedness

• Strengthens coordination and institutional capacity for inclusive, people-centred risk management

• Supports evidence-based decision-making and policy development for disaster risk reduction

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly demonstrate experience in disaster risk reduction, early warning, and community engagement

• Show strong coordination mechanisms with government and local stakeholders

• Ensure proposed activities are inclusive, participatory, and aligned with national strategies

• Prepare a compliant budget avoiding ineligible expenses

• Highlight the organization’s capacity for field facilitation and logistical management

FAQs

1. What is the maximum grant amount?
USD 60,000 per project.

2. What is the project duration?
Projects must be completed by 31 December 2027.

3. What activities are eligible?
Seminars, workshops, trainings, capacity building, institutional strengthening, and advocacy related to early warning systems.

4. Can the grant be used for capital expenditures?
No, expenditures such as land, buildings, equipment, or vehicles are ineligible.

5. Are scholarships or individual training eligible?
Only if included in the approved proposal. General individual scholarships are not eligible.

6. Is sub-contracting allowed?
Sub-contracting requires prior UNDRR approval.

7. Who should the partner organization coordinate with?
Activities should be implemented in close coordination with UNDRR and relevant government counterparts to align with national disaster risk reduction priorities.

Conclusion

The CREWS 2.0 grant provides a strategic opportunity for organizations to strengthen inclusive and people-centred early warning and early action systems in Lao PDR. By supporting capacity building, coordination, and knowledge integration, this initiative enhances community resilience and contributes to more effective disaster risk management at all levels.

For more information, visit UNDRR.