Grant support for Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action System for Meteorological, Hydrological, and Climate Extremes in Lao PDR 2025–2029

UNDRR is the United Nations’ focal point for the coordination of disaster risk reduction, working with countries and a broad range of partners and stakeholders to support the implementation, monitoring and review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 in coherence with the 2030 Agenda and other instruments, for the multi-hazard management of disaster risk in development and the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses. 

UNDRR invites non-profit organisations to submit proposals for grant support for Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action System for Meteorological, Hydrological, and Climate Extremes in Lao PDR 2025–2029. 

Project Background and Rationale 

The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative supports Least Developed Countries to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems. Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action System for Meteorological, Hydrological, and Climate Extremes in Lao PDR 2025–2029 (CREWS 2.0) is implemented by World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Bank, and UNDRR as the key implementing partners. CREWS 2.0 builds on achievements of the Phase 1 project and focuses on improving the reach, effectiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainability of early warning and early action systems, aligned with the global Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative. 

In Lao PDR, CREWS 2.0 supports national and sub-national institutions, particularly the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Department of Social Welfare (DSW) of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), and related sector agencies, to advance risk-informed planning, coordination, people-centred early warning, and private sector engagement. Effective implementation of these activities requires reliable, timely, and context-appropriate operational and logistical support, particularly activities implemented at provincial, district, and community levels. 

Purpose

The purpose of this partnership is to support the effective implementation of selected CREWS 2.0 activities in Lao PDR by ensuring that provincial, national, and community-level processes are delivered in a timely, inclusive, and compliant manner.  

The partnership contributes to strengthening people-centred, inclusive early warning and early action systems under CREWS 2.0, particularly through: 

• Provincial DRR strategy development processes 
• Strengthened EW4All coordination mechanisms 
• Evidence generation on local, indigenous and traditional knowledge 

The selected partner will contribute to achieving these programmatic results through operational coordination, field facilitation, and logistical management services delivered in close coordination with UNDRR and relevant government counterparts. 

Expected results

Outcome: Strengthened inclusive early warning and early action governance in Lao PDR under CREWS 2.0. 

Output 1. Provincial DRR strategies and action plans are developed through inclusive multi-stakeholder consultation processes in five target provinces. 

Partner contribution: 

The partner will support the development of provincial DRR strategies and action plans, including the effective organization, coordination, and facilitation of support for provincial consultations. The consultations should enable meaningful participation of government agencies, communities, women, persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders. In order to ensure sufficient consultation, at least 10 provincial consultation workshops should be undertaken (2 per province, in-person) in the following 5 provinces: Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xayabouly, Salavan, and Sekong. Activities should be carried out between May–December 2026. The partner is required to ensure that English Laotian interpretation and sign language are available when required. 

Deliverables: 

Reports for at least 10 provincial consultation workshops (2 per province, in-person) in Oudomxay, Luang Namtha, Xayabouly, Salavan, and Sekong. Reports should include participant lists disaggregated by sex and disability. Workshop reports and documentation should be submitted within 5 working days of completion of the workshop. 

Indicators: 

• Number of provincial consultation workshops organized (target: 10). 
• Percentage of workshops delivered as scheduled (target: ≥90%). 
• Number of participants (baseline: 0; target: ~450–500, ensuring gender and disability inclusion). 
• Participant lists, attendance records, and workshop documentation submitted within 5 working days (target: 100%). 

Output 2. National EW4All coordination mechanisms are strengthened through regular Technical Working Group engagement 

Partner contribution: 

The partner will support the organization and coordination of EW4All Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings, ensuring continuity, documentation, and inclusive participation. Activities are expected to be carried out between May 2026 and December
2027. 

Deliverables: 

Meeting Reports/Minutes for at least 5 TWG meetings, including reports on operational and logistical support for the meetings. Meeting documentation and attendance records shall be submitted to UNDRR in the form of a report. 

Indicators: 

• Number of TWG meetings; each meeting consists of 20-25 participants supported logistically. (target: 5 by the end of 2027). 
• Percentage of TWG meetings conducted without logistical disruption (target: ≥95%). 
• Attendance lists and meeting logistics records submitted within 5 working days (target: 100%). 
• Stakeholder satisfaction with logistical arrangements (online satisfaction survey). 

Output 3. Evidence on local, indigenous, and traditional knowledge for early warning and early action is generated through coordinated field research 

Partner contribution: 

The partner will support field-based data collection processes, including mobilization of enumerators, coordination of community engagement, and logistical arrangements to enable qualitative and small-scale quantitative research. The partner is required to ensure that English Laotian interpretation and sign language are available as required. The partner is required to arrange at least 2 national workshops in Vientiane, and least 3–4 provincial field missions - Each of approximately 4-5 field days. The partner is expected to arrange transport, field logistics, refreshments, and materials for focus group discussions, key informant interviews (KII) and consultations. Per province: 2-3 KIIs, 2-3 FGDs, mini household/community survey for about 30 household (subject to confirmation). To support field data collection, the partner is expected to mobilize enumerator teams (gender-balanced, language capacity) - 2 to 4 trained enumerators or field assistants per province (including at least 1 female facilitator, 1 member with local/ethnic language capacity where relevant) - total enumerator pool expected 6-10 individuals, mobilized on rotational basis depending on province selection and schedulingach of approximately 4-5 field days. The partner is expected to arrange transport, field logistics, refreshments, and materials for focus group discussions, key informant interviews (KII) and consultations. Per province: 2-3 KIIs, 2-3 FGDs, mini household/community survey for about 30 household (subject to confirmation).

Deliverables: 

• Reports for at least 2 national workshops (inception & validation) in Vientiane (30-40 participants each)
• Mission reports for at least 3–4 provincial field missions
• Field logistics documentation completed 

Note: The above numbers are indicative planning estimates provided for budgeting purposes. Final scope (number of provinces, FGDs, KIIs, survey sample size, and enumerators required) may be adjusted based on the final research methodology agreed upon during the Inception Phase. The operational partner must demonstrate flexibility to scale logistical support up or down within the overall approved budget ceiling. 

Indicators: 

• Number of national workshops supported logistically (target: 2) 
• Number of field missions supported with full logistical arrangements (target: as per assessment plan)
• Field logistics delivered in accordance with agreed timelines (target: ≥90% on schedule)
• Complete logistical documentation provided for all supported activities (target: 100%)

Resources 

• CREWS Southeast Asia phase 2 https://crews-initiative.org/project/southeast-asia-2-0/ 
• Early Warnings for All: https://earlywarningsforall.org/site/early-warnings-all 

Selection criteria

Criteria 1: Relevant Local Experience in Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Processes 

Experience supporting implementation of climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, or community-based resilience programmes, including coordination of provincial or national stakeholder processes, and on gender awareness. The applicant must demonstrate an operational presence and delivery capacity in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, including familiarity with local operational contexts, service providers, and coordination with government counterparts in Lao PDR is required. 

Suggested documentation: 

• Description of at least three (3) relevant projects implemented within the last five (5) years, including scope and nature of logistical support provided
• Evidence of multi-stakeholder coordination (e.g. agendas, participant lists, workshop reports, references). 
• Proof of legal registration or authorization to operate in Lao PDR 
• Description of in-country presence (office, staffing, field reach) 
• CVs of key expert staff proposed to be part of the assignment 
• Gender equality policy or equivalent organizational commitment 
• Protection against Sexual Exploitation, and Abuse policy or equivalent

Criteria 2: Financial and administrative capacity: Partner is expected to demonstrate their financial and administrative capacity to confirm ability to receive and manage UNDRR funds. 

Suggested documentation: 

• Finance manual, policies on managing project budgets, cash management, financial reporting; 
• Most recent audited financial statement; 
• Policies, manuals and documentation to prove IP’s administrative capacity, including HR manuals, code of conduct; 
• Procurement manuals and policies. Code of conduct, and anti-fraud/anti-corruption policy 

Budget and administrative-related aspects

i. Duration and budget: The duration of the proposed project cannot exceed 31 December 2027. The maximum amount requested from UNDRR for the implementation of this project cannot exceed USD 60,000. (Note: The cost of the audit should be considered as part the overall budget). 

ii. Proposal documentation: 

• The project proposal must not exceed 10 pages (attachments such as scanned copies of entity’s registration, CVs of staff etc. do not count towards overall page count but should be annexed). 
• Please duly fill in all the sections of the application form, and include the required documents (scanned copy of NGO/IGO’s registration certificate, CVs of staff, sample project documents, etc.) and budget excel sheets. 
• Applicants to send the complete application package (application form, budget excel sheets, entity incorporation documents (registration certificate, charter/memorandum of association/articles of association, CVs of staff, latest financial statements/financial report, etc.) to the following email address: [email protected] ; cc: [email protected] and [email protected] . 

Reference: Call for Proposals Grant support for Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action System for Meteorological, Hydrological, and Climate Extremes in Lao PDR 2025–2029. 

Deadline for applications

 10 April 2026, midnight New York, USA, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered. 

Additional information for grant applicants

i. All International and national non-governmental organizations that wish to be considered for partnership opportunities with UNDRR will need to register and create a profile on the United Nations Partner Portal (UNPP). Following verification of the profile information, partners will be eligible to apply to partnership opportunities with UNDRR as well as the UN Secretariat and all other participating UN Organizations. 

ii. We encourage you to start the registration as soon as possible to avoid delays. Only registered organizations whose profile has been successfully verified will be considered eligible partners to apply for grant opportunities with UNDRR. For more details on registration procedures please visit the UN Section of UNPP (https://www.unpartnerportal.org/registration).

iii. Furthermore, the United Nations system requires all partners to be assessed regarding their capacity to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse. UNDRR encourages implementing partners to use the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) module in the UNPP. PSEA Module User Guide CSO Partner Members.

iv. Eligible expenditures: 

• Projects’ activities can include, amongst others, the following: seminars, workshops, trainings; 
• capacity building activities; 
• institutional strengthening activities and 
• advocacy 

v. Ineligible expenditures: The following types of activity will not be covered: 

• capital expenditure, e.g. land, buildings, equipment and vehicles;
• individual scholarships for studies or fees for training courses not included in the proposal; 
• supporting political parties; and 
• sub-contracting, unless prior authorization has been obtained from UNDRR. 

vi. Refund of grants: UNDRR may request organizations to refund, either in part or in whole any amounts paid in respect of a grant when: 

• the project was not implemented in full or in part; 
• the grant was spent for ineligible expenditures other than those mentioned in the budget proposal submitted to, and approved by UNDRR; 
• no narrative, financial or audit report was submitted within the deadline established by the grant agreement; 
• a narrative report and/or a financial report submitted was determined to be unsatisfactory; 
• a negative evaluation of the project by UNDRR; 
• any other valid reason provided by the UNDRR. 

vii. Please note that the grant payment schedule will be determined with the selected grantee when finalizing the agreement. UNDRR standard practice is: not to exceed 40% of the requested amount upon signature of the grant agreement; remaining payments made based on a schedule of payments linked to production of project milestones and the final payment, 20%, will be paid after the end of the project, once final documents have been received, verified and approved by UNDRR.

viii. Due to the number of applications, only short-listed applicants will be notified.