Request for Proposals (RFP) on Climate Change and Mental Health – National Policy and Advocacy Work

This RFP, issued by United for Global Mental Health (UGMH), targets national organizations to lead policy and advocacy work at the intersection of climate change and mental health. The core objective is to integrate mental health considerations into national climate change policies, fostering a two-way relationship where climate policies acknowledge mental health impacts and vice versa. The initiative aims to support six national organizations, promoting national ownership by prioritizing local civil society organizations (CSOs). The grant emphasizes strengthening advocacy efforts, empowering communities, ensuring holistic national responses, and promoting equity and inclusion for vulnerable populations (women, youth, marginalized groups). Eligible countries are specific: Brazil, India, Ethiopia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Pacific SIDS region (including a detailed list of island nations). Each selected organization will receive £68,898 GBP for a three-year project period, with a start date in February 2026. Applicants are expected to access a detailed RFP PDF and a draft contract to understand terms and conditions.

Applicants should meticulously align their proposals with the RFP's explicit objectives: embedding mental health in climate policies, ensuring two-way integration, and promoting national ownership through local CSO leadership. Key recommendations include: 1. **Demonstrate Local Ownership:** Clearly articulate how the proposed project is led by and deeply rooted in the local context, emphasizing the role of the national organization as a CSO. 2. **Highlight Two-Way Integration:** Show a clear understanding of how mental health will be embedded in climate policies and how these policies will, in turn, address mental health impacts. 3. **Focus on Advocacy & Policy:** Provide concrete examples of past advocacy successes and a robust strategy for national-level policy engagement and influence. 4. **Address Vulnerable Populations:** Detail how the project will ensure equity and inclusion, specifically reaching and representing women, youth, and marginalized groups in policy dialogues. 5. **Develop a Sustainable Strategy:** Outline how the £68,898 GBP over three years will lead to sustainable advocacy strategies, stronger policy dialogues, and cross-sector collaborations. 6. **Review Application Materials:** Thoroughly read the PDF RFP for detailed instructions, eligibility, and key dates. Address any contracting issues during the application stage as advised. 7. **Timely Submission:** Ensure the proposal is submitted well before the December 7, 2025, 11:59 PM CET deadline, as late submissions will not be considered.

The grant's strategic focus is on embedding mental health within climate policy, highlighting a critical and often overlooked intersection. This suggests that proposals demonstrating a deep understanding of both fields, and a practical approach to their integration, will be highly competitive. The emphasis on 'national ownership' and 'local civil society organizations' indicates a preference for proposals that are community-driven and locally relevant, rather than externally imposed. The specific list of eligible countries and the fixed funding amount per partner (six in total) suggests a targeted approach and potentially high competition within those regions. Evaluators will likely prioritize proposals that show a clear path to tangible policy influence, strong stakeholder engagement (including vulnerable groups), and a sustainable advocacy model beyond the grant period. The three-year duration allows for meaningful, sustained engagement, so applicants should propose a realistic timeline for policy impact and capacity building. The mention of 'contracting issues should be raised during the application stage' implies a rigorous due diligence process and a need for transparency and proactive communication from applicants regarding their organizational capacity and legal standing.