This table helps you compare and identify which calls might best match your organisation’s capacity, country focus, and project scope.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying (for Nigeria & Bangladesh)

H2: Application Step-by-Step Guide

Here is a reproducible sequence you can follow from beginning to submission:

Step 1: Identify the Right Grant Call

• Monitor UNICEF Nigeria, UNICEF Bangladesh, global WASH grant portals, and “FundsForNGOs” listings for WASH grants.

• Filter calls by country (Nigeria or Bangladesh) and sector (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene).

• Check for eligibility (your organisation type, region, size, project type).

• Note deadline, required documents, budget ceiling, and reporting requirements.

Step 2: Align Your Project Idea with Funder Priorities

• Review call’s focus: Is it clean water in schools? Sanitation markets? Flood-resilient WASH? Example: In Nigeria, UNICEF’s WASH programme emphasises climate-resilient water and sanitation for children.

• Define your target group, location, results and innovation component (e.g., improved latrines, community-led sanitation, water kiosks).

• Ensure your project addresses a real local need (use data, cite gaps).

Step 3: Organise Partnerships and Local Buy-In

• If your organisation is local, consider partnering with government (local water authority), school, community group.

• For Bangladesh, consider linking with local NGOs experienced in WASH/flood response.

• Document roles, responsibilities and collaboration in project plan — funders value partnerships.

Step 4: Prepare Key Documents

Common documents required:

• Project proposal (see Step 5 below for structure)

• Budget and budget justification (costs for water/sanitation infrastructure, monitoring, staff, etc.)

• Organisational profile / capacity statement

• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan

• Letters of support (from community, local government, partner)

• Activity timeline / work plan

• Evidence of need (e.g., statistics, baseline surveys)

• Safeguards: Gender plan, child-protection plan, environmental risk plan

Step 5: Draft Your Project Proposal

Your proposal should include:

1. Executive summary – Briefly describe what you will do, where, for whom, and expected results.

2. Context and need – Data on water/sanitation gap in your location (e.g., “X% households lack improved sanitation”).

3. Objectives – e.g., “By end of project, 5,000 households will have access to safe latrines in District X”.

4. Activities – List of major activities (procurement, community mobilisation, construction, training, hygiene promotion).

5. Innovation / value-add – What sets your project apart (market-based sanitation, digital monitoring, women-led maintenance).

6. Partnership and governance – How you will work with partner organisations and stakeholders.

7. Monitoring & Evaluation – Indicators, baseline, target values, frequency of reporting.

8. Budget and sustainability – Cost breakdown and how services will continue after funding ends.

9. Environmental and social safeguards – Minimising risks and ensuring inclusion (women, children, disabled).

10. Timeline / Work plan – Gantt chart or table of activities over project period.

Step 6: Submit Application and Follow Up

• Upload or send your completed application to the grant call’s portal or email address.

• Ensure adherence to all guidelines (formatting, word-count, annexes).

• Keep a copy of submission confirmation.

• Prepare to respond to any clarifications from funder.

• After submission, schedule resources for project startup if selected.

Step 7: Award Acceptance, Implementation & Reporting

• If awarded, sign grant agreement and ensure you understand disbursement schedule, reporting deadlines, audit requirements.

• Launch project: community engagement, baseline data, begin activities.

• Monitor progress and keep funder informed via interim reports and final report.

• Highlight results and lessons learned — this builds your organisation’s credibility for future grants.

Key Insights: What Makes a Strong Proposal?

H2: Key Insights & Benefits

• Data-driven need: Use local statistics (e.g., UNICEF Nigeria shows only 26.5 % of population using improved water/sanitation).

• Sustainability: Funders like UNICEF emphasise long-term access and maintenance of WASH services, not just construction.

• Innovation or scalability: Proposals that show a new model (e.g., sanitation financing, MSME engagement) stand out. UNICEF’s SFF pilots show how newer financing models create impact.

• Inclusion and gender focus: Consider how women, girls and vulnerable populations are served.

• Local ownership: Demonstrate alignment with national WASH plans or local government strategies (e.g., Nigeria’s WASH roadmap).

• Precise budget and value for money: Funders will compare cost per beneficiary; clarity helps.

• Strong partnerships: Include credible local NGO, government linkages.

• Clear M&E and metrics: Define how you will measure access, utilisation, maintenance.

• Communication plan: How you will share your results, learnings and scale successes.

Real-world examples:

• In Nigeria, UNICEF supports children’s access to WASH in schools and communities.

• In Bangladesh, UNICEF delivered safe water and hygiene kits in flood-affected zones, highlighting urgency for WASH interventions.

By using these insights, your proposal gains credibility, relevance and competitiveness.

Sample Project Statement Structure

H2: Your Statement of Purpose – Simple Strong Structure

1. Opening narrative – Example: “In rural Bauchi State, Nigeria, 74 % of household drinking water is contaminated with E. coli. This project seeks to deliver…”

2. Background and context – Brief overview of the region, WASH gaps, why it matters for children/families.

3. Your organisation’s role & capacity – Highlight your previous work in WASH or community development.

4. Project objectives – Clearly state what you aim to achieve (e.g., “Upgrade safe water supply for 10,000 people in LGA X”).

5. Logical plan of activities – List major phases and actions you will undertake.

6. Innovation and impact – Show how your approach differs and how it will scale.

7. Partnership and governance – Who you will work with (local government, community, women groups).

8. Monitoring & sustainability – How you will track results and ensure continued benefits after funding ends.

9. Budget and justification – Outline major cost headings (pumps, latrines, training, maintenance).

10. Conclusion and call to action – Reaffirm your commitment and readiness to implement effectively.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

H2: Common Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them