United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Call for Proposals: Rapid Response Window I/RNGO Partners (2026)

The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) has opened a Call for Proposals to identify experienced International and Regional Non-Governmental Organizations (I/RNGOs) to partner under its Rapid Response Window (RRW). This funding opportunity aims to strengthen women’s meaningful participation in peace processes and the implementation of peace agreements across ODA-eligible countries.

The call is designed for I/RNGOs with proven expertise in supporting women peacebuilders, women’s rights organizations, and young women leaders operating in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Overview of the Rapid Response Window (RRW)

The Rapid Response Window addresses urgent funding gaps that limit women’s participation and influence in Track 1 and Track 2 peace processes and in the implementation of peace agreements. Through flexible and fast disbursement mechanisms, the RRW enables women peacebuilders to respond to emerging political opportunities and crisis moments.

Since its launch, the RRW has supported the participation of more than 3,000 women and young women in peace negotiations and agreement implementation across over 35 ODA-eligible countries, contributing to inclusive, gender-responsive peace outcomes.

Purpose and Objectives of the Call

This Call for Proposals seeks to select qualified I/RNGOs to:

• Provide grant management and technical support to civil society organizations, informal women’s groups, and women and young women peacebuilders

• Manage and disburse short-term grants and direct support under the RRW

• Strengthen women’s leadership, influence, and participation in peace efforts

• Contribute to WPHF’s goal of advancing peaceful and gender-equal societies

Selected partners will support short-term, strategic initiatives that address immediate barriers to women’s engagement in peace processes and peace agreement implementation.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include international and regional NGOs, including youth-focused organizations, that:

• Are legally registered entities

• Have demonstrated experience supporting women’s and young women’s participation in peace processes

• Can operate in conflict-affected settings in at least one of the following regions:

  • Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Latin America

  • Arab States

  • Europe and Central Asia

  • Asia and the Pacific

Organizations Not Eligible

The following entities are not eligible to apply:

• Government agencies or institutions

• UN agencies or UN Country Teams

• Private individuals

• Private sector entities

• Universities, education institutions, or research institutions

Funding Size and Budget Requirements

• Maximum funding: USD 1,000,000 over two years per I/RNGO

• No cost-sharing is required

• At least 75% of the budget must support short-term grants and direct support to CSOs and women peacebuilders

• Administrative and management direct costs must not exceed 25%

• Indirect costs must not exceed 7% of total programmable funds

Role and Responsibilities of Selected I/RNGO Partners

Selected partners will play a central role in implementing the RRW by:

Grant and Direct Support Management

• Managing and disbursing Short-Term Grants (up to USD 100,000)

• Managing and delivering Direct Support services (up to USD 30,000), including logistics, technical assistance, and protection-related services

Technical and Strategic Support

• Supporting CSOs and women peacebuilders in proposal development and strategic positioning

• Providing mentoring, organizational development, and capacity strengthening

• Applying feminist, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive approaches

Risk Management and Safeguarding

• Ensuring rapid due diligence processes

• Applying “do no harm,” conflict sensitivity, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards

• Supporting women peacebuilders facing threats, reprisals, or stigmatization

Coordination and Advocacy

• Coordinating closely with the RRW Unit through regular meetings and joint planning

• Leveraging diplomatic and advocacy networks to elevate women’s voices in decision-making spaces

• Supporting strategic advocacy, convenings, and engagement with mediators, UN actors, and Member States

Learning, Reporting, and Knowledge Sharing

• Contributing to WPHF knowledge products and the global Learning Hub

• Submitting quarterly and annual narrative and financial reports in line with MPTF and WPHF requirements

• Documenting lessons learned, case studies, and evidence of women’s influence on peace processes

Selection Criteria

Applications will be technically evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Experience and commitment to women’s and youth participation in peace processes

• Geographic reach and language capacity

• Flexible and rapid grant-making systems

• Financial integrity and compliance with UN standards

• Feminist or gender-transformative programming approaches

• Conflict sensitivity, safeguarding, and PSEA compliance

• Budget compliance and cost structure

Shortlisted applicants will undergo HACT and PSEA/PSEAH assessments. Only organizations assessed as low risk will be eligible for final selection.

Application Requirements

Application packages must include:

• Completed proposal using the official template

• Proof of valid legal registration

• Grant-making policy

• Audit reports from the last three years

• Do-No-Harm and PSEA policies

• Most recent public annual report

• Reference letter from a UN entity or bilateral donor

• HACT and PSEAH assessments (if available)

Applications must be submitted in English and in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.

Key Dates and Submission Details

• Call opens: 15 December 2025

• Application deadline: 23 January 2026 at 23:59 CET (Geneva time)

• Information session: 9 January 2026 at 14:00 CET

Application packages must be emailed to:
WPHF-RRW@unwomen.org

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Key documents

RRW I/RNGO PARTNER CALL FOR PROPOSALSEnglish

RRW I/RNGO PARTNER PROPOSAL TEMPLATEEnglish

About the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund

The United Nations Women-hosted WPHF is a global pooled funding mechanism established in 2016 to increase financing for women’s leadership, participation, and empowerment in peacebuilding and humanitarian response. The fund operates in 48 countries, supporting over 1,700 civil society organizations, with a strong focus on local women-led initiatives.

Through mechanisms such as the Rapid Response Window, WPHF remains a leading platform for advancing inclusive, feminist, and sustainable peace processes worldwide.

Source https://wphfund.org/call-for-proposals-for-rapid-response-window-i-rngo-partners/