The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) issued an Addendum to its Annual Program Statement (APS) for the "Transformative Partnerships for Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Initiative," aiming to engage local partners in improving water and sanitation systems in India. This initiative emphasizes the need for climate-resilient and inclusive approaches to address significant water stress affecting a substantial portion of the population. The Addendum outlines the process for submitting concept notes and full applications, indicating USAID's commitment to awarding up to $6 million in funding over three years, potentially in amounts up to $2 million per award.
Applicants must align their submissions with USAID's objectives, focusing on collaborative solutions to close knowledge and capacity gaps in the WASH sector. The initiative seeks to foster innovation, local engagement, and systemic change by prioritizing underrepresented and underserved groups in the decision-making process. The document provides detailed submission guidelines, eligibility criteria, and emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing partnerships to drive impactful solutions. Ultimately, this initiative underscores the U.S. government's strategic commitment to enhancing water security and sanitation in a climate-affected India while promoting diverse partnerships in development.
The USAID Diversifying Partnerships in WASH (DiP-WASH) Annual Program Statement (APS) aims to tackle critical challenges in water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) through diverse and innovative partnerships. Announced on February 12, 2021, with a closing date for concept papers by February 11, 2025, the program aims to increase equitable access to safe, sustainable WASH services, focusing on governance, capacity building, water resources management, and market strengthening.
The APS outlines four key objectives: enhancing governance accountability and inclusivity, professionalizing WASH service delivery, improving water resource management and service quality, and bolstering WASH markets. Each objective is supported by intermediate goals that require partnerships with local entities and civil society.
Key themes include addressing inequalities for underserved populations, emphasizing sustainability, and leveraging private sector involvement for effective service provision. The document specifies that proposals must address local contexts, integrate climate resilience, and prioritize inclusion, particularly for marginalized groups.
The approach encourages new partners to engage in co-creation processes while ensuring compliance with USAID guidelines. This APS represents a strategic movement towards diversified partnership models that enhance WASH services, ultimately contributing to the United States’ Global Water Strategy goals.