Applications are open for the SEWA Climate Grants Africa programme. This funding call supports regional projects that improve weather forecasts, climate services, and early warning systems across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
However, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) leads the programme under the Africa EU Space Partnership Programme. In addition, the European Union funds it through the Global Gateway initiative. Selected projects can receive up to about €1.25 million and may run for around 24 months.
What are the SEWA Climate Grants Africa?
SEWA means Strengthening Early Warning in Africa. The programme aims to help organisations turn weather and climate information into practical alerts that protect people, communities, and institutions.
For example, a project could combine weather data with local information about homes, roads, farms, people, and vulnerable areas. It could then send earlier and clearer warnings when floods, droughts, heatwaves, or storms may cause harm.
Therefore, SEWA supports work that helps decision-makers act before a climate-related disaster becomes worse.
SEWA Climate Grants Africa Funding Amount
Selected regional projects can receive up to approximately €1.25 million per project.
The funding can support regional pilot projects that improve:
- Weather and climate forecasting.
- Impact-based forecasting.
- Early warning systems.
- Disaster preparedness.
- Early action and response.
- Climate resilience.
- The practical use of local risk information.
Therefore, projects should run for about 24 months. However, applicants should review the official call documents for the full budget rules and eligible costs.
SEWA Climate Grants Africa Priority Hazards
The programme supports solutions for several weather and climate hazards. Applicants should focus on risks that affect communities, public services, livelihoods, or infrastructure.
Priority hazards may include:
- Floods and flash floods.
- Drought and dry spells.
- Heatwaves.
- Dust storms.
- Thunderstorms.
- Tropical cyclones.
- Other climate- and weather-related hazards.
Moreover, strong proposals should show how communities and institutions will use the warning information to take early action.
Who Can Apply for SEWA Climate Grants Africa?
The grants target regional partnerships, not single organisations working alone.
Furthermore, projects should involve African World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Climate Centres. In addition, these centres should work with a consortium of relevant African and European organisations.
Partners may include:
- National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.
- Climate and weather organisations.
- Universities and research institutions.
- Disaster-risk-reduction organisations.
- Technology providers.
- Civil society groups.
- Government agencies.
- Development partners.
The coordinating organisation must register through the official ECMWF submission portal before submitting a proposal. Registration is free.
SEWA Climate Grants Africa Eligible Regions
The programme supports regional initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
Eligible geographic areas include:
- Western Africa.
- Central Africa.
- Eastern Africa.
- Southern Africa.
- Indian Ocean Islands.
As a result, proposals should show clear regional value. They should bring together partners, data, knowledge, or users across more than one place where possible.
What SEWA Climate Grants Africa Will Support
SEWA looks for projects that make weather and climate data more useful for real people. The programme does not only focus on predicting hazards. Instead, it supports information that can lead to early decisions and safer outcomes.
A strong project may combine:
- Weather and climate forecasts.
- Exposure data, such as locations of people, farms, schools, roads, or health centres.
- Vulnerability data, such as poverty, disability, housing quality, or limited access to services.
- Local impact data from earlier weather events.
- Clear communication tools for communities and decision-makers.
For instance, a regional project might develop an early flood alert system. The system could show which communities, roads, farms, or health facilities face the greatest risk. Local agencies could then move supplies, issue warnings, or protect vulnerable people before flooding begins.
How to Apply for SEWA Climate Grants Africa
Submit proposals electronically through the official ECMWF submission portal.
Before you apply:
- Confirm that your organisation can join or lead an eligible regional consortium.
- Review the official call documents carefully.
- Identify the relevant WMO Regional Climate Centre and possible project partners.
- Develop a project idea that addresses a climate or weather hazard.
- Register the coordinating organisation on the ECMWF portal.
- Submit the full proposal before the deadline.
Because this is a large regional grant, applicants should start early. Building a strong consortium, gathering technical data, and preparing a clear project plan can take time.
SEWA Climate Grants Africa Deadline
The deadline for proposal submission is:
- 30 September 2026
- 14:00 CEST
Late proposals may not be considered. Therefore, complete registration and upload your documents well before the final day.
Why These Climate Grants Matter
Across Africa, floods, droughts, storms, and heat can harm lives, food systems, businesses, and public services. Better forecasts alone are not enough. Communities also need clear, local, and timely information that helps them act.
The SEWA programme can help climate organisations build stronger regional partnerships and test practical tools. Furthermore, it can support solutions that connect science, local knowledge, technology, and public action.
However, if your organisation works on climate resilience, data, disaster preparedness, or weather services, this call may offer a major funding opportunity.
For similar funding calls, explore more verified grant opportunities on OpportunityLab
Explore more verified Opportunities on: OpportunityLab.
The SEWA Climate Grants Africa programme offers up to €1.25 million for regional projects that improve early warnings and climate resilience. It is especially relevant for organisations that can work with African climate centres, public agencies, researchers, and technical partners.
Therefore, prepare your consortium early, study the official requirements, and submit your proposal before 30 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST.
