Call for Proposals for Rapid Response Window I/RNGO Partners

The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) has issued a call for proposals under its Rapid Response Window (RRW) initiative aimed at supporting women’s meaningful participation in peace processes and the implementation of peace agreements. This particular solicitation is directed at international and regional non-governmental organizations (I/RNGOs) with experience operating in conflict-affected settings. The goal is to select implementing partners who can provide grant management, technical support, and logistical assistance to local women’s organizations and informal networks. WPHF is a global pooled funding mechanism that promotes women’s leadership in peacebuilding and humanitarian response efforts, operating in over 48 countries and supporting more than 1,700 civil society organizations since its inception in 2016. The RRW seeks to address urgent funding gaps that often limit the participation of women peacebuilders in Track 1 and Track 2 peace processes, or in the implementation of peace agreements, particularly in ODA-eligible countries. Through this Call for Proposals, WPHF intends to partner with I/RNGOs that can deliver both direct support and sub-grants to grassroots women's groups, ensuring that local efforts are meaningfully linked to broader peacebuilding mechanisms. I/RNGO partners will be expected to offer inclusive, feminist, and responsive grantmaking frameworks, disburse funds rapidly in complex and volatile contexts, and maintain strong compliance with WPHF’s conflict sensitivity and safeguarding principles. Selected I/RNGO partners will have a multifaceted role. These organizations will support civil society actors in proposal development, provide input on the strategic alignment of projects, and participate in the technical review of submissions. In addition to managing short-term grants (up to $100,000) and direct support services (up to $30,000), the partners will also be responsible for offering ongoing technical assistance, capacity strengthening, and advocacy support to participating CSOs. Technical responsibilities extend to mentoring informal groups, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and providing protective services for women peacebuilders working in high-risk environments. All partners are required to have internal systems capable of rapid due diligence and risk assessment for newly engaged or unregistered groups. Eligible organizations must be legally registered and capable of operating in at least one of the following regions: Latin America, Arab States, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Central Asia, or Asia and the Pacific. Notably, universities, government agencies, UN entities, individuals, and private sector entities are not eligible to apply. The total budget for each I/RNGO partner must not exceed $1,000,000 over a two-year period. At least 75% of this budget should be dedicated to supporting local CSOs and peacebuilders directly. Administrative costs must not exceed 25%, and indirect costs are capped at 7% of programmable funds. The I/RNGOs must also be prepared for audits and quality assurance checks under UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) rules. The proposal evaluation will focus on several criteria, including experience in peacebuilding, regional presence, ability to disburse funds quickly, financial integrity, feminist approaches, conflict sensitivity, and budget compliance. Shortlisted organizations will undergo a Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and HACT risk assessment process. Required documentation includes proof of legal registration, financial audit reports, grantmaking policy, safeguarding standards, and past donor references. Applications must be submitted in English via email to [email protected] by January 23, 2026, at 23:59 CET. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. An information session was held on January 9, 2026. The anticipated duration of engagement for selected partners is two years, with ongoing coordination and knowledge-sharing obligations. While the RRW is open for CSO applications on a rolling basis, this Call for I/RNGO partners has a fixed deadline and is part of WPHF's broader strategy to elevate the role of women and young women in formal peace processes globally.