Call for Proposals: Community-Led Climate Change Adaptation in Yogyakarta (Indonesia)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is inviting professional entities in Indonesia to strengthen the capacity of kampung communities around the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta to identify and pilot community-led responses to climate change. The programme will support three kampung communities within the buffer zone of the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks (CAY) to identify, develop, and test practical climate change adaptation ideas. The selected technical entity will provide community engagement, technical guidance, workshops, consultations, and direct financial support for locally driven solutions.

About the Climate Change Adaptation Programme

The Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks (CAY) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The area represents a unique urban environment where cultural heritage, traditional communities, and living practices are closely connected with the surrounding landscape. Recent studies and disaster risk management planning have identified increasing vulnerability in the area to climate change impacts, including: - Extreme weather. - Drought. - Risks to cultural heritage sites. - Threats to local livelihoods. The programme aims to strengthen community capacity so that local communities can develop adaptation responses that address these challenges while helping preserve cultural practices. What Is the Programme Seeking? UNESCO is seeking a qualified technical entity to pilot a community-based approach involving three kampung communities within the CAY buffer zone. The selected contractor will work with the communities to: - Identify climate change risks and adaptation needs. - Develop community-led adaptation ideas. - Provide technical guidance. - Pilot practical adaptation responses. - Strengthen local capacity to address climate-related challenges. - Support solutions that build community resilience. - Help preserve cultural practices. How Much Financial Support Is Available? The project provides total financial support of IDR 120,000,000, approximately $7,400 USD. The funding will be managed and disbursed by the selected contractor.

The allocation is:

- IDR 40,000,000 for the first participating community. - IDR 40,000,000 for the second participating community. - IDR 40,000,000 for the third participating community. The community funding will support the development and piloting of their climate change adaptation ideas. Community-Based Climate Adaptation The programme uses a community-based approach to climate change adaptation. Rather than relying solely on externally developed solutions, the project will help participating kampung communities identify and develop responses based on their local knowledge, needs, and circumstances. The approach is intended to encourage locally driven solutions that strengthen resilience while remaining connected to the cultural context of the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta. Activities Under the Programme The selected technical entity will support participating communities through several activities.

These include:

- Sensitization workshops. - Participatory consultations. - Technical guidance. - Development of adaptation ideas. - Piloting of community-led solutions. - Direct financial support. - Sharing of results and lessons with stakeholders. Support for Three Kampung Communities The project will work with three kampung communities located within the CAY buffer zone. Each community will receive IDR 40,000,000 for developing and piloting its adaptation ideas. The selected contractor will manage and disburse this financial support while providing the technical assistance required to support implementation. Climate Change and Cultural Heritage The programme recognises the connection between climate change, cultural heritage, traditional communities, and local livelihoods. Climate-related risks can affect both physical heritage sites and the communities whose cultural practices and livelihoods are connected to the area. The project therefore seeks adaptation responses that contribute to resilience while helping preserve cultural practices. Expected Programme Duration The assignment is expected to run for approximately 120 days. The planned implementation period is from October 2026 to February 2027. During this period, the selected contractor will work with the participating communities and support the development and piloting of their adaptation responses. Final Presentation and Learning Event The assignment will conclude with a final presentation and learning event. The event will provide an opportunity to share: - Project results. - Lessons learned. - Community experiences. - Outcomes of the adaptation pilots. - Relevant learning with stakeholders. The event is intended to support knowledge sharing among stakeholders involved in climate adaptation, cultural heritage, and community development. Who Can Apply? The call is open to professional entities that are legally registered in Indonesia.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Organizations. - Companies. - Institutions. Applicants must have the required professional experience and demonstrate their ability to undertake comparable assignments. Professional Experience Requirement Applicants must have at least five years of relevant professional experience. Relevant experience may include work in areas such as: - Community engagement. - Climate change. - Cultural heritage. - Related fields. Applicants should be able to demonstrate successful completion of comparable assignments. Comparable Assignment Experience Applicants must demonstrate that they have successfully completed assignments comparable to the proposed project. This requirement is intended to ensure that the selected technical entity has the experience and capacity needed to work with communities, provide technical guidance, and support locally led climate adaptation activities. Role of th