CTCN Seeks Experts for Cambodia Climate-Resilient Water Storage Project

New technical assistance initiative will assess rainwater harvesting technologies to address mounting drought and water security risks facing Cambodian farmers, with applications due July 24

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) has issued a call for experts to support a new technical assistance project aimed at strengthening climate-resilient water storage systems for agriculture in Cambodia. The initiative will focus on assessing the feasibility and investment readiness of improved rainwater harvesting solutions, with applications due by July 24, 2026.

Mounting Water Security Risks for Cambodian Agriculture

Cambodia’s agricultural sector remains central to the country’s economy and to the livelihoods of much of its rural population, but it is increasingly exposed to the effects of a changing climate. Droughts are occurring with greater frequency and severity, seasonal rainfall patterns are becoming harder to predict, and rising temperatures are placing additional stress on water resources that farming communities depend on year-round. Together, these pressures are undermining both water security and the broader stability of rural livelihoods across the country.

The challenge is compounded by the condition of much of Cambodia’s existing rural water storage infrastructure. Many current systems suffer from significant technical shortcomings, including water loss through seepage and evaporation, sedimentation buildup that gradually reduces storage capacity, and water quality problems that limit their usefulness for irrigation and other agricultural needs. These combined issues have made clear the need for a new generation of rainwater harvesting technologies better suited to Cambodia’s climate realities and agricultural demands.

It is within this context that CTCN — the operational arm of the UNFCCC’s Technology Mechanism, which connects developing countries with technology and expertise to address climate change — has moved to commission technical assistance focused on building a stronger evidence base for water storage investment in Cambodia’s agricultural sector.

Scope of the Technical Assistance Project

The initiative, formally titled “Strengthening Climate-Resilient Water Storage Systems for Agriculture in Cambodia through Feasibility Assessment and Investment Readiness of Improved Rainwater Harvesting Solutions,” will center on a structured evaluation of rainwater harvesting technologies suited to Cambodia’s specific environmental and agricultural conditions. This will include assessing the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of candidate solutions before they are considered for wider deployment.

Beyond evaluating technology options, the project is also designed to identify priority investment opportunities within Cambodia’s water and agriculture sectors, while strengthening the broader body of evidence needed to support long-term planning and climate finance mobilization.

According to the published call, expected outputs from the technical assistance include:

• An assessment of existing rural water storage systems and available technology options
• A feasibility analysis with recommendations for improved rainwater harvesting systems
• Capacity building activities and stakeholder consultations with relevant local and national partners
• An investment roadmap intended to support the scale-up of climate-resilient water storage solutions across the country

Taken together, these outputs are intended to move Cambodia’s water storage planning from ad hoc, localized fixes toward a more coordinated, investment-ready strategy grounded in technical and economic evidence.

How Experts Can Apply

CTCN is now inviting qualified experts to participate in the upcoming solicitation process tied to this technical assistance opportunity. Full details on the scope of work, technical requirements, and application procedures are available through the official listing on the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM), as well as through the accompanying expression of interest document published on the UN website.

Interested experts should note that applications must be submitted by the stated deadline of July 24, 2026. Those who are not yet members of the CTCN Network are able to apply for membership through CTCN’s official networking and collaboration channels, either as part of the application process or in advance of submitting a proposal.

Why This Matters

Water storage and irrigation infrastructure has become an increasingly urgent priority across Southeast Asia as climate volatility reshapes agricultural planning. For Cambodia specifically, improving the efficiency and reliability of rural water storage systems is seen as a key step toward protecting smallholder farmers from the compounding effects of drought and erratic rainfall — risks that are expected to intensify in the coming years.

By combining technical feasibility work with an investment roadmap, the CTCN-backed project aims to not only identify viable rainwater harvesting solutions but also help position them for the financing needed to bring them to scale, potentially serving as a model for similar water security initiatives elsewhere in the region.