The Santiago Network Secretariat is issuing this call for proposals to catalyze technical assistance from organizations, bodies, networks, and experts (OBNEs) in response to a request from the Republic of Palau.

This technical assistance aims to enhance Palau's capacity to address loss and damage through a consolidated national framework. This involves: (i) mapping and documenting climate impacts at the state level; (ii) building institutional capacity for assessment, monitoring, and reporting; (iii) developing knowledge-sharing strategies; and (iv) identifying long-term financing pathways.

The technical assistance will involve the design of a comprehensive framework across all 16 states, including a national geospatial map of climate-vulnerable areas (sea level rise, erosion, extreme weather, ecosystem degradation like coral bleaching), integrating traditional knowledge (e.g., bul). It will also strengthen Palau's ability to access climate financing, including the Loss and Damage Fund by developing necessary modalities and capacities for preparing funding proposals.

Members of the Santiago Network are eligible to respond to this call for proposals. Interested OBNEs that are not yet Members of the Santiago Network may submit proposals, provided they submit an Expression of Interest for membership in line with the membership guidelines. In such cases, the Expression of Interest must be submitted within one week following the proposal submission deadline indicated in this call. Any OBNE selected to respond to the call for proposals must have also been confirmed as a Member of the Santiago Network prior to their selection. More information can be found in Section 2.10, "Applicant eligibility" of this call for proposals, and details on the membership process and criteria can be found on the Santiago Network membership page.

Relevant expertise and experience in the subject matter are required for this call for proposals. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their qualifications at different levels, including local, national, regional and international. They are also requested to give due consideration to how they will maintain close coordination with relevant government counterparts and other stakeholders.

The Santiago Network was established in 2019 under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) as a mechanism to catalyze technical assistance from relevant OBNEs to avert, minimize, and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change at local, national, and regional levels. This support is intended for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This call for proposals is managed by UNOPS in its capacity as a co‑host of the Santiago Network Secretariat.

Important dates and deadlines

Submission via Grant+

Grant+ is the new UNOPS grant management platform. An online information session showing how to upload proposals will take place on Thursday, 16 April 2026, at 9:00 ( GMT+2) / 16:00  (GMT+9). The meeting will be held via Zoom. Register in advance via this link.