The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a landmark Call for Proposals that presents a significant opportunity for African nations to strengthen public health and environmental protection through harmonised Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES) approaches. This initiative, backed by the European Union’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and implemented with partners including Africa CDC and WHO, is designed to support African countries in establishing robust WES systems that can serve as early warning mechanisms for public health threats and environmental risks.
About the Grant
Donor Agency: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Grant Size: Up to USD 135,000 for a four-month project focused on initial national uptake of harmonised WES approaches
Post Date: July 2026
Deadline Date: August 19, 2026
The initiative emphasises a “harmonised” rather than “uniform” approach, allowing countries to adapt shared reference points while fitting implementation to their national contexts. This flexible alignment is critical for Africa’s diverse epidemiological, social, and infrastructural landscape.
Expected Results Within Four Months
The initiative focuses on seven key result areas that successful proposals must address:
- National Uptake and Ownership: Formally introducing and contextualising the harmonised WES approach for national use
- Cross-Sectoral Coordination: Convening relevant stakeholders and establishing roles and responsibilities
- Capacity Strengthening: Improving knowledge of WES principles, data-to-action concepts, and tool use
- Tools/Products Uptake and Adaptation: Introducing and adapting project tools, templates, and guidance
- Governance and Data Use: Clarifying pathways for responsible data sharing and communication
- Sustainability and Scale-Up: Identifying realistic next steps for continuation beyond the grant period
- Documentation and Learning: Documenting implementation experience and lessons for regional learning
Who Should Apply
The Call specifically targets governmental institutions and intergovernmental organisations with mandates relevant to:
- Wastewater surveillance
- Public health
- Environmental management
- One Health coordination
Proposals must demonstrate cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly between public health and environment/water/wastewater institutions, reflecting the One Health approach that recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
Strategic Alignment
This Call aligns with the Africa Continental Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance Technical Strategy being developed by Africa CDC, which seeks to establish a coordinated continental WES system for early detection of emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental hazards.
The initiative is part of the Wastewater Surveillance for Africa (WWS for Africa) Initiative, implemented through 2026 with support from the EU’s HERA. It aims to build capacity, enable knowledge exchange, and raise awareness on wastewater surveillance systems for ecosystem and public health across all sub-regions of Africa.
The initiative also supports the implementation of UNEP’s Source-to-Sea approach, addressing land- and sea-based pollution from wastewater and nutrients.
Important Considerations
- Tight Timeline: The deadline is 19 August 2026, with a tight timeline from launch to closure
- Proposal Length: Proposals must be concise (maximum 10 pages for the technical proposal)
- Realistic Scope: Focus on results achievable within the four-month implementation period
- Not Multi-Year: Proposals should not be designed as multi-year system-building projects but rather demonstrate realistic initial uptake and early institutional results
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Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initiative | UNEP Call for Proposals on Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance (WES) |
| Funding | Up to USD 135,000 |
| Duration | Four months |
| Focus | Harmonised WES approaches for public health and environmental protection |
| Eligible Applicants | Governmental institutions, intergovernmental organisations |
| Deadline | 19 August 2026 |
| Apply via | Official UNEP channels |
This content is for informational purposes. Please refer to the official UNEP website for complete and updated information.
