Call for EOIs: Advancing Sanitation Hygiene and WASH Collaboration

Deadline: 29-Dec-2025

UNICEF is launching a multi-country initiative to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems and advance menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) across Africa and the United States. The program focuses on climate-resilient sanitation, global advocacy, and civil society engagement to ensure equitable access to safe sanitation and improved health outcomes. This initiative supports sustainable, evidence-based interventions aligned with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Overview of the Initiative

UNICEF’s program aims to enhance WASH systems while promoting menstrual health in targeted countries, including Nigeria (Lagos), Niger (Agadez), Tanzania (Singida), Mali (Gao), Burkina Faso (Centre), Madagascar (Antananarivo), Mozambique (Sofala), and the United States (New Jersey). The initiative integrates global, regional, and national strategies to improve equitable access to safely managed and climate-resilient sanitation services.

Key Focus Areas

1. Sanitation and WASH Systems

   • Accelerate universal access to safely managed sanitation.

   • Provide capacity development for climate-resilient sanitation interventions.

   • Conduct district- and area-wide sanitation assessments.

   • Document lessons learned from national workshops.

   • Facilitate peer learning through webinars, global events, and conferences.

2. Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH)

   • Strengthen global advocacy and collaboration.

   • Support the Global MHH Collaboration for agenda-setting and implementation.

   • Link regional and national networks to improve coordination.

   • Conduct Political Economy Analysis (PEA) on MHH in Nigeria.

3. Civil Society Engagement

   • Strengthen government-led platforms for accelerated SDG implementation.

   • Support civil society organizations (CSOs) to influence policy and national accountability.

   • Utilize the Mutual Accountability Mechanism to advocate for water and sanitation rights.

   • Enhance regional networks to advance Regional Roadmap workplans.

Who is Eligible?

• National and local government agencies in target countries.

• Civil society organizations working in WASH and MHH sectors.

• International organizations supporting policy, research, and technical assistance.

• Academic or research institutions involved in WASH and hygiene studies.

Why It Matters

• Ensures equitable access to safe sanitation and menstrual health resources.

• Strengthens climate resilience in sanitation infrastructure.

• Promotes evidence-based advocacy and capacity building at local, regional, and global levels.

• Contributes to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

How It Works / How to Apply

1. Program Implementation:

   • Collaborating entities implement WASH and MHH activities in specified regions.

   • Activities are aligned with national priorities and UNICEF’s technical guidelines.

2. Capacity Building:

   • Training workshops and technical guidance for government agencies and CSOs.

   • Peer-learning sessions via webinars, conferences, and knowledge-sharing platforms.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation:

   • Periodic sanitation assessments and reporting.

   • Impact measurement using established WASH and MHH indicators.

4. Funding and Partnerships:

   • Grants and technical support provided to eligible partners.

   • Partners responsible for project execution, reporting, and compliance with UNICEF standards.

Common Mistakes / Tips

• Incomplete Proposals: Ensure all requested information, including work plans and budgets, is submitted.

• Weak Alignment: Activities must clearly align with national priorities and UNICEF technical frameworks.

• Limited Stakeholder Engagement: Engage local CSOs, government authorities, and communities for greater impact.

• Ignoring Data Reporting: Accurate measurement and reporting of sanitation and MHH indicators are critical.

FAQ

1. Which countries are covered under this initiative?
Nigeria, Niger, Tanzania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the United States (New Jersey).

2. What are the main objectives of the program?
To strengthen WASH systems, advance menstrual health and hygiene, and enhance civil society engagement for sustainable sanitation outcomes.

3. Who can participate in the program?
Government agencies, CSOs, international organizations, and academic or research institutions engaged in WASH and MHH.

4. What activities are included in the program?
Capacity building, sanitation assessments, policy advocacy, global and regional coordination, and peer-learning events.

5. How does the initiative support climate resilience?
By implementing climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure and training local authorities and CSOs on sustainable practices.

6. How are results measured?
Through sanitation coverage assessments, MHH program impact, capacity-building outcomes, and advocacy effectiveness.

7. What is the expected timeframe for implementation?
The program is designed for multi-year implementation with ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and peer-learning activities.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s multi-country WASH and MHH initiative provides an integrated approach to improving sanitation, menstrual health, and civil society engagement. By focusing on climate resilience, evidence-based interventions, and capacity building, the program supports sustainable development goals and ensures equitable access to critical water and hygiene services globally.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.