Call for Proposals: SEWA Offers Up to €1.25 Million for Climate Early Warning Projects
Organisations working to strengthen climate resilience and disaster preparedness in Africa can apply for funding of up to €1.25 million per project under the Strengthening Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) initiative.
Led by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) as part of the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme, SEWA is supporting the development of regional impact-based forecasting services and stronger early warning systems across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative is funded by the European Union under the Global Gateway strategy.
The 2026 call will support four regional pilot projects, covering West, Central, East and Southern Africa, including the Indian Ocean Islands. Each selected project can receive up to approximately €1.25 million, with projects expected to run for 24 months.
What Will the Funding Support?
The grants are designed to help African and European partners develop practical tools that make weather and climate information more useful to communities, governments and other decision-makers.
Projects will focus on impact-based forecasting, which combines weather and hazard forecasts with information on exposure, vulnerability and potential impacts. The goal is to help stakeholders understand not only what weather event is expected, but also what it could mean for people, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Priority hazards include:
- Floods and flash floods
- Droughts and dry spells
- Heatwaves
- Dust storms
- Thunderstorms
- Tropical cyclones
- Other weather and climate-related hazards
Who Can Apply?
The call is structured around partnerships involving WMO Regional Climate Centres in Sub-Saharan Africa and consortia of relevant African and European organisations.
Projects are also expected to work closely with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the forecasting tools address regional priorities and real-world user needs.
Applicants should therefore demonstrate relevant technical expertise, regional partnerships and the capacity to develop sustainable solutions that can contribute to stronger early warning systems.
What Will Successful Projects Deliver?
Beyond developing forecasting tools, the selected regional pilots are expected to contribute to:
- Improved early warning services;
- Better access to weather and climate data;
- Knowledge exchange between African and European institutions;
- User-focused forecasting tools and services;
- Evaluation and documentation of impact-based forecasting approaches; and
- Stronger preparedness and early action against climate-related hazards.
The programme also aims to promote African-owned and sustainable solutions that can eventually be scaled and integrated into wider continental early warning initiatives.
Funding Available
A total indicative budget of €5 million has been allocated to the call, with approximately €1.25 million available for each of four regional projects.
The selected projects are expected to have a duration of 24 months.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting proposals is:
September 30, 2026, at 14:00 CEST.
Applicants are encouraged to register on the submission portal early and review the complete call documents, including eligibility requirements, application templates and guidance before preparing their proposals.
How to Apply
Interested organisations should review the official SEWA call requirements and submit their proposals through the ECMWF submission portal.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to organisations and institutions working in weather forecasting, climate services, disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, climate resilience and impact-based forecasting.
With up to €1.25 million available per regional pilot, the SEWA Grants provide an opportunity for African and European partners to develop practical solutions that can help communities and decision-makers prepare earlier for floods, droughts, extreme heat and other climate-related hazards.
Deadline: September 30, 2026.
View the official SEWA Grants information and application details
