The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) hereby announces the call for applications for the 2026 Seoul ODA Challenge Program (Development Consulting Track), with the aim of supporting sustainable urban development, improving the quality of life in developing countries, and assisting partner cities in addressing their key urban challenges.

1. Program Overview

• Program Title: 2026 Seoul ODA Challenge Program (Development Consulting Track)
• Program Budget: Up to KRW 400 million per project (approximately USD 270,000)
• Project Period: June–December 2026 (approximately 7 months)
• Project Types: Master plan formulation, pre-feasibility studies, policy and technical advisory services, pilot projects, capacity-building activities, etc.
• Program Objective: To address urban challenges in developing countries for sustainable urban development by:
  • Providing preparatory planning and consulting support to address key urban challenges in developing cities
  • Establishing a foundation for follow-up full-scale projects linked to external financing sources such as Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)

2. Eligibility

• Eligible Applicants: Local governments and equivalent public entities in countries classified as ODA recipients under the OECD DAC criteria
• Mandatory Requirement: The proposed project must have received a recommendation from, or undergone prior consultation with, an MDB.
  • As this program is a development consulting initiative premised on follow-up project linkage, all applications must have undergone prior consultation with a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) and received an official recommendation from the MDB regarding the project content.
  • The application must clearly indicate the relevant MDB focal point, including name, affiliation, and contact details.
  • Examples of MDBs: World Bank (WB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), African Development Bank (AfDB), etc.

3. Eligible Projects

• Projects that utilize the SMG’s best practices and policies to address urban challenges
• Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Seoul Policy Archive and the official English website of the SMG.
• Site link:
  • seoulsolution.kr
  • https://english.seoul.go.kr/?SSid=101_01
  • https://news.seoul.go.kr/economy/archives/570875
  • https://www.susa.or.kr/default/company/company01.php?sub=01
• Projects with clear potential for linkage to follow-up financing upon completion of the development consulting phase

4. Required Documents

• Project Application Form (Attachment 1)
• Official application letter signed by the Mayor or an equivalent authorized official
• Documentation confirming MDB's prior consultation and recommendation (e.g. recommendation letter)
• Additional reference materials to support understanding of the proposed project

5. Application Method

• Application Period: 4th February – 4th March, 2026, 18:00 (KST)
• Submission Method: Email submission to SeoulODA@seoul.go.kr
• Email subject line: 2026 Seoul ODA Challenge (Development Consulting Track) / City Name / Project Title

6. Implementation Schedule and Selection Process

• Tentative Schedule
  • Program Announcement (4th Feb.)
  • Application Submission(by 4th Mar.)
  • Project Selection (Mar.)
  • Field Survey (Apr.)
  • Consultant Selection(May)
  • Project Implementation (Jun.–Dec.)

     Note: The schedule is subject to change depending on project selection results and local conditions.

• Selection Process
  • Review of submitted applications (eligibility screening and quantitative evaluation)
  • Project Selection Committee meeting (qualitative evaluation)
  • Selection of priority negotiation cities
  • Final project confirmation through field survey and detailed scope definition

Call for Proposal

Appendix 1_Application form

Appendix 2_Evaluation Criteria