Call for EOIs: Capacity Development in Sustainable Waste Management (Sweden)

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has launched a call for expressions of interest from Swedish public organizations to develop and implement a capacity development programme focused on sustainable waste management and circular economy solutions. The initiative will support countries in strengthening institutional capacity, reducing pollution and emissions, improving recycling systems, and transitioning from traditional waste disposal models toward reuse, recovery, and resource efficiency.

What is the Sida Sustainable Waste Management Capacity Development Programme?

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is seeking Swedish public organizations to design and deliver a capacity development programme that helps countries improve their waste management systems and adopt circular economy approaches.

The programme aims to share Swedish knowledge and experience in:

Sustainable waste management
Circular economy systems
Recycling and reuse models
Waste prevention strategies
Institutional capacity building
Climate-friendly waste solutions

The initiative supports countries moving away from landfill and incineration-based systems toward more sustainable approaches focused on:

Waste reduction
Source separation
Recycling
Composting
Resource recovery

Objectives of the Programme

The programme aims to:

Strengthen institutional and technical capacity in waste management
Support the transition toward circular economy models
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from waste systems
Improve waste prevention, reuse, and recycling practices
Promote sustainable consumption and production
Encourage collaboration between public institutions and private sector actors
Build long-term national competence in sustainable waste management

Key Focus Areas

The programme covers a wide range of topics related to modern waste management systems.

Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency

The initiative promotes:

Reuse of materials
Recycling systems
Waste prevention
Sustainable production and consumption
Resource efficiency approaches

Circular economy principles aim to reduce waste by keeping materials in use for as long as possible.

Sustainable Waste Management Systems

The programme focuses on improving:

Waste collection systems
Sorting and separation processes
Recycling infrastructure
Composting systems
Waste treatment methods

Climate Action and Pollution Reduction

Projects will address:

Reduction of climate emissions
Lower pollution levels
Sustainable waste processing methods
Environmentally responsible waste systems

Institutional and Technical Capacity Building

Training will support:

Government institutions
Regulatory authorities
Municipal organizations
Waste management professionals

Topics include:

Legal requirements
Waste management targets
Institutional responsibilities
Technical solutions
Policy implementation

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The programme will explore:

Producer responsibility systems
Waste collection responsibilities
Recycling obligations
Sustainable product management

Hazardous Waste Management

Participants will learn approaches for:

Safe handling of hazardous waste
Regulatory compliance
Improved management systems

Target Countries

The programme will primarily support participants from:

Additional countries may be considered in later stages, including:

Target Participants

The programme is designed for decision-makers and professionals involved in waste management, including:

Government ministries
Public authorities
Regulatory bodies
Municipal organizations
Institutions responsible for environmental management
Other relevant waste sector organizations

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to Swedish public organizations, including:

Government agencies
Universities
Research institutes
Local administrations
Regional administrations

Applicants should have:

Experience in international cooperation
Expertise in sustainable waste management
Ability to develop and manage capacity-building programmes
Access to relevant Swedish technical knowledge and institutions

Role of the Selected Partner

The selected organization will be responsible for developing and implementing the programme.

Responsibilities include:

Designing training modules
Coordinating Swedish expertise
Managing international collaboration
Organizing learning activities
Supporting institutional capacity development

The selected partner will collaborate with:

Swedish public institutions
Research organizations
Technical experts
Private sector stakeholders where appropriate

Programme Activities and Learning Methods

The programme will use multiple learning approaches, including:

Workshops

Participants will engage in practical discussions on waste management challenges and solutions.

Case Studies

Real examples from Sweden and other contexts will demonstrate successful circular economy practices.

Peer-to-Peer Learning

Participants will exchange knowledge and experiences with other waste management professionals.

Seminars and Online Lectures

Digital and in-person sessions will provide technical and policy knowledge.

Study Visits in Sweden

Participants will visit Swedish organizations and facilities to observe sustainable waste management systems.

Change Projects

Participants will develop supervised projects aimed at improving waste management practices within their institutions.

Funding Information

Selected organizations may receive approximately:

SEK 8–10 million per year

Funding will support programme development and implementation activities.

Covered Programme Costs

The programme will cover participant-related costs, including:

International travel
Accommodation
Meals
Course materials

Important Funding Limitation

Change projects developed by participants will not receive separate financial support.

How to Apply

Eligible Swedish public organizations should submit an expression of interest.

Applications should demonstrate:

Step 1: Organizational Capacity

Applicants should explain:

Relevant expertise
Previous international cooperation experience
Waste management knowledge

Step 2: Programme Approach

Applicants should describe:

Proposed training structure
Learning methods
Collaboration approach
Expected outcomes

Step 3: Partnership Strategy

Applicants should identify:

Swedish resource partners
Technical experts
Potential public and private sector collaborators

Step 4: Submit Expression of Interest

Organizations must submit their expression of interest according to Sida’s application requirements.

Programme Timeline

Expected implementation schedule:

Start-up phase: Second half of 2026
First training module: Early 2027

The programme will continue through structured capacity development activities.

Why This Programme Matters

Waste management is a major global environmental challenge. Traditional systems based mainly on landfill and incineration contribute to:

Greenhouse gas emissions
Resource loss
Environmental pollution
Unsustainable consumption patterns

A circular economy approach helps countries:

Reduce waste generation
Recover valuable resources
Improve recycling systems
Lower environmental impacts
Create sustainable economic opportunities

Through knowledge sharing and institutional strengthening, the Sida programme supports countries in building modern and resilient waste management systems.

Tips for Interested Applicants

Swedish organizations should:

Highlight practical waste management expertise
Demonstrate international collaboration experience
Build strong partnerships with relevant stakeholders
Include innovative learning approaches
Show how Swedish knowledge can be transferred effectively

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing programmes without clear capacity-building objectives
Failing to demonstrate relevant expertise
Ignoring collaboration requirements
Providing unclear implementation plans
Overlooking long-term sustainability outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Sida Sustainable Waste Management Programme?

It is a capacity development initiative designed to help countries improve waste management systems and transition toward circular economy models.

2. Who can apply for this opportunity?

Swedish public organizations such as government agencies, universities, research institutes, and local or regional administrations can apply.

3. How much funding is available?

Selected organizations may receive approximately SEK 8–10 million per year.

4. Which countries will benefit from the programme?

The primary focus is on Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, with additional countries considered later.

5. What topics will the programme cover?

The programme covers circular economy, recycling, waste prevention, source separation, EPR, hazardous waste management, climate emissions reduction, and institutional capacity development.

6. When will the programme begin?

The start-up phase is expected in the second half of 2026, with the first training module planned for early 2027.

7. Will change projects receive separate funding?

No. Change projects will be developed as part of the learning process but will not receive separate financial support.

Conclusion

The Sida Sustainable Waste Management Capacity Development Programme provides an important opportunity to strengthen global waste management systems through knowledge exchange, institutional development, and circular economy solutions. By sharing Swedish expertise and supporting decision-makers, the initiative aims to accelerate the transition toward sustainable waste practices that reduce pollution, protect the climate, and promote resource efficiency.