Call for Integrated Water Resources Management Grant Programme (Ethiopia)

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is inviting proposals to improve climate-smart Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and strengthen community resilience to drought and climate change in Ethiopia. The programme provides up to EUR 2 million to support Nature-based Solutions (NbS), watershed management, institutional capacity building, and sustainable water resource management in the Awash, Wabi Shebele, and Danakil basins.

Overview of the Climate-Smart Water Resources Management Programme

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has launched a call for proposals to strengthen Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and improve climate resilience in Ethiopia’s priority hydrographic basins.

The programme seeks to reduce the impacts of drought, strengthen water governance, promote sustainable watershed management, and improve the livelihoods of communities through climate-smart approaches and Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

The initiative focuses on three major hydrographic basins:

Awash Basin
Wabi Shebele Basin
Danakil Basin

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Improve resilience to drought.
Reduce vulnerability to climate change.
Strengthen Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).
Improve coordination among water management institutions.
Promote sustainable watershed management.
Support climate-resilient livelihoods.
Increase community participation in natural resource management.
Improve water quality and rehabilitate degraded land.

Key Focus Areas

Climate-Smart Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

The programme supports climate-smart IWRM approaches that improve the planning, development, and sustainable use of water resources.

Activities may include:

Basin planning.
Water resource management.
Climate adaptation planning.
Watershed management.
Sustainable water allocation.

Institutional Capacity Building

The initiative will strengthen technical capacity at different administrative levels, including:

Federal institutions.
Basin authorities.
Sub-basin management organizations.

Support will improve planning, coordination, and implementation of integrated water management systems.

Basin Planning and Information Systems

The programme will improve:

Basin development plans.
Integrated information systems.
Water resource data collection.
Data analysis and utilization.
Decision-making systems.

Improved information management will support evidence-based water governance.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Nature-based Solutions are a key component of the programme.

Supported interventions include:

Watershed rehabilitation.
Land restoration.
Water quality improvement.
Soil conservation.
Climate-resilient ecosystem management.

These solutions use natural ecosystems to address environmental and climate-related challenges while improving community livelihoods.

Community Awareness and Participation

The programme prioritizes community engagement through:

Climate-smart IWRM awareness campaigns.
Participatory watershed management.
Community education.
Local stakeholder involvement.

Public authorities and local communities will jointly plan and implement Nature-based Solutions.

Livelihood Improvement

The programme supports sustainable livelihood opportunities by:

Restoring degraded landscapes.
Improving water availability.
Increasing ecosystem resilience.
Promoting sustainable land management practices.

Communities will receive support to maintain and manage implemented interventions over the long term.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Projects should include systems for:

Monitoring implementation.
Measuring environmental impacts.
Evaluating community benefits.
Tracking climate resilience outcomes.

Funding Details

The programme has a total indicative budget of:

EUR 2,000,000

Funding is divided into two lots.

Lot A – Awash Basin

Funding available:

Minimum: EUR 900,000
Maximum: EUR 1,000,000

Lot B – Wabi Shebele Basin

Funding available:

Minimum: EUR 900,000
Maximum: EUR 1,000,000

Geographic Focus

The programme targets Ethiopia’s priority hydrographic basins, including:

Awash Basin.
Wabi Shebele Basin.
Danakil Basin.

While funding is allocated under Lots A and B for the Awash and Wabi Shebele basins, the overall programme contributes to improved Integrated Water Resources Management across all priority basins.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be:

Legal persons.
Non-profit organizations.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or other eligible entities.

The lead applicant must:

Be established in an eligible country.
Prepare and manage the project.
Coordinate co-applicants and affiliated entities.
Meet all eligibility requirements under the call.

Eligibility Requirements

Lead applicants must also:

Be registered with the FDRE Authority for Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia for at least three years before publication of the call.
Have operated directly in the project area during the previous three years.
Demonstrate relevant experience implementing similar projects.
Have successfully managed at least one project worth EUR 700,000 or more during the previous three years.

Why This Programme Matters

Ethiopia faces increasing challenges related to:

Climate change.
Drought.
Water scarcity.
Land degradation.
Pressure on natural resources.

This programme is important because it promotes integrated, climate-smart approaches that:

Improve water security.
Restore degraded ecosystems.
Strengthen institutional coordination.
Increase community resilience.
Support sustainable economic development.

Nature-based Solutions also provide long-term environmental and social benefits while helping communities adapt to climate change.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization:

Meets the legal registration requirements.
Has the required operational history.
Meets project management experience requirements.

Step 2: Select the Appropriate Funding Lot

Choose the funding lot based on the proposed implementation area:

Lot A – Awash Basin.
Lot B – Wabi Shebele Basin.

Step 3: Prepare the Project Proposal

Develop a proposal that clearly explains:

Project objectives.
Climate-smart IWRM approach.
Nature-based Solutions.
Community participation strategy.
Institutional coordination.
Expected outcomes.
Monitoring and evaluation framework.
Detailed budget.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the application according to the call guidelines before the stated deadline with all required supporting documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing projects outside the eligible basin areas.
Failing to demonstrate previous project management experience.
Weak community participation strategies.
Limited climate adaptation measures.
Inadequate monitoring and evaluation plans.
Missing required registration or eligibility documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main objective of this programme?

The programme aims to improve climate-smart Integrated Water Resources Management and strengthen resilience to drought and climate change in Ethiopia.

2. Which areas are covered?

The initiative focuses on the Awash, Wabi Shebele, and Danakil hydrographic basins.

3. What are Nature-based Solutions (NbS)?

Nature-based Solutions use natural ecosystems and environmental processes to address climate change, improve water quality, restore degraded land, and strengthen community resilience.

4. How much funding is available?

The programme has a total indicative budget of EUR 2 million, with individual grants ranging from EUR 900,000 to EUR 1,000,000 under each funding lot.

5. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include legal non-profit organizations, particularly NGOs, that meet the registration, operational, and project management requirements.

6. What experience is required?

Applicants must have operated in the project area for at least three years and managed at least one project with a budget of EUR 700,000 or more during that period.

7. Why is Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) important?

IWRM promotes coordinated management of water, land, and related resources to improve environmental sustainability, water security, and climate resilience while balancing social and economic needs.

Conclusion

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation’s Climate-Smart Water Resources Management Programme provides significant funding to strengthen drought resilience and sustainable water management in Ethiopia. By promoting Integrated Water Resources Management, Nature-based Solutions, institutional capacity building, and community participation, the programme aims to improve water security, restore ecosystems, and build long-term resilience to climate change across Ethiopia’s priority hydrographic basins.