RFAs: Design and Construction of Community Spaces for the Circular and Popular Economy (Colombia)

UN-Habitat is inviting Implementing Partners to submit an expression of interest to design and build three multifunctional community spaces in Comuna 5, San Andrés de Tumaco, Colombia. The initiative focuses on the circular and popular economy and is co-created with women-led recycling organizations, combining recycling education, material sorting/exchange, and construction using paid local labour. The call closes on 9 October 2026. This Call for Proposal invites Implementing Partners to support the participatory design and construction of three multifunctional community spaces for the circular and popular economy in Comuna 5 of San Andrés de Tumaco, Colombia. The intervention is part of Conexión Pazífico Sostenible, financed through the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) mechanism. It is framed within the territorial implementation of CONPES 4180 on Durable Solutions and the Joint Programme of the Internal Displacement Solutions Fund (IDSF). The spaces are designed as “soft infrastructure”: they are intended to complement existing community facilities rather than build new, stand-alone equipment. The model is co-created with women-led recycling organizations and integrates three priority functions in one place: The intervention supports activities linked to: The call also notes that the selected sites were assessed against nine UN-Habitat Environmental and Social Safeguards and chosen through a participatory prioritization process (selected between July and September 2026). This opportunity targets the need for practical infrastructure that can enable recycling-related livelihoods while addressing solid waste management and public health concerns. By integrating education, sorting/collection, and material exchange into community spaces co-created with local women-led organizations, the approach is intended to strengthen circular and popular economy activities within Comuna 5.

Deadline: All documents must be sent by 9 October 2026 (time zone not specified in the source text).

(Additional proposal formatting, required attachments, and selection criteria are not specified in the provided text—confirm these in the official guidelines.)

1) What is UN-Habitat funding for in this call?

UN-Habitat is inviting Implementing Partners to design and construct three multifunctional community spaces for the circular and popular economy in Comuna 5, San Andrés de Tumaco, Colombia, integrating recycling education, material sorting/exchange, and construction with paid local labour.

2) How much funding is available?

The call specifies a maximum value of USD 96,000 and a four-month duration. The source text does not specify the total number of awards or an overall funding pool.

3) Where will the community spaces be built?

The three sites are in Comuna 5 in the neighbourhoods of Iberia, Obrero, and Unión Victoria in San Andrés de Tumaco, Colombia.

4) What is the deadline to apply?

The source states that all documents must be sent by 9 October 2026. The time of day and time zone are not specified.

5) How do I submit my proposal?

Proposals are submitted through the UN-Habitat Implementing Partner Portal. The source also requires that all documents be sent to [contact details removed] by 9 October 2026.

6) What outputs are expected during the four-month period?

The call specifies four outputs: work plan and baseline; collaborative design and use agreements; technical design and permits; and construction, community activation, evaluation and systematization.

7) Who should the approach be co-created with?

The spaces are to be co-created with women-led recycling organizations in Comuna 5, and the construction is expected to prioritize women and young people. Review the UN-Habitat Application guidelines (English) linked from the call page and ensure your proposal and supporting documents follow the stated process, submission channels, and the four-month output structure described in the call. If any eligibility or document requirements are unclear, rely on the official guidelines rather than assumptions before submitting.