Open Call: Accelerating Actions to Improve Organic Waste Management (Cambodia)

Deadline: 14-Aug-26

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is inviting eligible organizations to implement a US$700,000 project that supports Cambodia in reducing methane emissions through improved organic waste management, wastewater treatment, and circular economy practices. The 24-month initiative aims to strengthen institutional capacity, develop investment-ready methane mitigation projects, and support Cambodia’s national climate and waste management strategies.

About the CCAC Cambodia Organic Waste Management Project

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is seeking qualified organizations to help the Royal Government of Cambodia, led by the Ministry of Environment, accelerate methane reduction across the solid waste and wastewater sectors.

The project supports Cambodia’s transition toward sustainable, climate-resilient waste management by improving organic waste diversion, strengthening landfill operations, enhancing wastewater management, and building institutional capacity.

The initiative aligns with Cambodia’s national environmental and climate policies while promoting circular economy approaches and supporting the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Program Objectives

The project aims to:

• Reduce methane emissions from solid waste and wastewater.
• Strengthen Cambodia’s organic waste management systems.
• Improve municipal waste collection and segregation.
• Promote circular economy practices.
• Reduce open burning of waste.
• Increase investment readiness for methane mitigation projects.
• Build national and local institutional capacity.
• Develop harmonized Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems.
• Support carbon-neutral municipalities.
• Strengthen climate-responsive waste management.

Key Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following priorities:

• Urban Solid Waste Management Policy (2020–2030)
• Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan (2021–2035)
• National Waste Segregation and Recycling Program (2024–2029)
• Organic waste diversion
• Methane emission reduction
• Circular waste systems
• Sustainable landfill management
• Wastewater and sludge management
• Source segregation
• Municipal solid waste management
• Food waste prevention
• Landfill gas capture and utilization
• Composting systems
• Anaerobic digestion
• Community awareness and education
• Climate-responsive waste management
• Carbon-neutral municipalities
• Investment readiness
• Financing for waste management
• Capacity building
• Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

Project Activities

Supported activities may include:

Organic Waste Management

• Organic waste diversion programs
• Composting initiatives
• Anaerobic digestion systems
• Food waste prevention campaigns
• Waste segregation improvements

Landfill Improvements

• Better landfill management
• Landfill gas capture systems
• Methane recovery and utilization
• Improved operational practices

Wastewater Management

• Wastewater methane mitigation
• Sludge management improvements
• Integration of wastewater into climate strategies

Municipal Waste Management

• Improved waste collection services
• Municipal planning
• Source segregation systems
• Community participation

Climate and Institutional Support

• Capacity building
• Policy implementation support
• Technical assistance
• Institutional strengthening
• MRV system development

Pilot Demonstration Areas

Pilot activities will be implemented in:

• Phnom Penh
• Siem Reap
• Kampong Chhnang
• Koh Sralao Island

These demonstration projects will showcase scalable, low-emission waste management solutions that can be replicated across Cambodia.

Investment Readiness Support

The project will help develop investment-ready methane reduction projects by supporting:

• Feasibility studies
• Technical project design
• Financial analysis
• Financing strategies
• Environmental assessments
• Social impact assessments
• Stakeholder consultations
• Investment proposals
• Engagement with public and private financing institutions

National Financing Roadmap

A major component of the project is the preparation of a national roadmap that will:

• Identify financing opportunities.
• Assess investment barriers.
• Develop financing mechanisms.
• Support landfill gas investments.
• Expand organic waste processing.
• Improve waste collection systems.
• Strengthen wastewater methane mitigation financing.
• Promote long-term investment in circular waste systems.

Capacity Building Activities

The project will strengthen the capacity of:

• Government agencies
• Municipal authorities
• Waste management service providers
• Community organizations
• Waste picker groups

Capacity-building activities may include:

• Technical training
• Operational guidance
• MRV training
• Development of training materials
• Community awareness campaigns
• Partnership development
• Communication materials
• Emissions reduction assessments
• Harmonized MRV guidance
• Support for reducing open burning

Funding Information

The project offers:

• Estimated project value: US$700,000
• Project duration: Up to 24 months

Projects should comply with the approved budget and deliver all planned outcomes within the implementation period.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
• Other not-for-profit organizations

Applicants must also:

• Meet all programme eligibility requirements.
• Complete the project within 24 months.
• Submit a compliant project budget.
• Provide the last three audited financial statements.

Who is Not Eligible?

For-profit organizations cannot apply directly for funding.

However, they may participate as:

• Stakeholders
• Co-funders
• End users

Expected Project Outcomes

Successful projects are expected to deliver:

• Reduced methane emissions.
• Stronger organic waste management systems.
• Improved municipal waste services.
• Better landfill operations.
• Enhanced wastewater management.
• Greater investment readiness.
• National financing roadmap.
• Improved institutional capacity.
• Harmonized MRV systems.
• Increased community awareness.
• Reduced open burning.
• Climate-resilient municipal waste systems.

Why This Project Matters

Methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases contributing to climate change, and the waste sector is a major source of emissions.

This initiative will help Cambodia:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Improve environmental quality.
• Strengthen public health.
• Advance the circular economy.
• Meet national climate commitments.
• Improve municipal waste services.
• Attract investment for climate projects.
• Build long-term institutional capacity.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should follow these steps:

1. Review the funding guidelines and eligibility requirements.
2. Confirm organizational eligibility.
3. Develop a project aligned with Cambodia’s waste and methane reduction priorities.
4. Prepare a detailed implementation plan.
5. Develop a compliant project budget.
6. Gather the required supporting documents, including the last three audited financial statements.
7. Demonstrate technical expertise and organizational capacity.
8. Submit the complete application before the deadline.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

• Clearly align the proposal with Cambodia’s waste management policies.
• Demonstrate expertise in methane mitigation.
• Include practical and scalable solutions.
• Present measurable environmental outcomes.
• Show strong stakeholder engagement.
• Include realistic financing and implementation plans.
• Explain long-term sustainability beyond the project period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing activities unrelated to methane reduction.
• Weak implementation or financing plans.
• Incomplete financial documentation.
• Limited stakeholder participation.
• Unrealistic project timelines.
• Failure to address MRV requirements.
• Poor alignment with Cambodia’s national strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this funding?

Eligible applicants include NGOs, IGOs, and other not-for-profit organizations. For-profit entities cannot apply directly but may participate as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users.

How much funding is available?

The estimated project budget is US$700,000.

How long can the project last?

Projects must be completed within 24 months.

Which locations will host pilot activities?

Pilot projects will be implemented in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampong Chhnang, and Koh Sralao Island.

What types of activities are supported?

Activities include organic waste diversion, composting, landfill improvements, wastewater management, methane reduction, capacity building, MRV development, investment readiness, and community awareness.

What documents are required?

Applicants must submit a complete proposal, budget, and their last three audited financial statements, along with any additional documentation required by the funding guidelines.

What are the expected outcomes?

The project seeks to reduce methane emissions, improve waste management systems, strengthen institutional capacity, develop investment-ready projects, establish financing mechanisms, and support Cambodia’s national climate commitments.

Conclusion

The CCAC Cambodia Organic Waste Management and Methane Reduction Project provides a valuable opportunity for eligible non-profit organizations to support Cambodia’s transition toward low-emission, climate-resilient waste management systems. With an estimated US$700,000 in funding, the initiative will strengthen methane mitigation, improve municipal waste and wastewater management, build institutional capacity, and develop investment-ready solutions that contribute to sustainable development and national climate goals.

For more information, visit Climate & Clean Air Coalition.