The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nepal is inviting grant applications to strengthen plastic waste management systems and advance circular economy practices. The initiative focuses on assessing material recovery facilities, improving value chains, supporting inclusive livelihoods, and enabling sustainable private sector engagement. It is designed as an evidence-based program that informs investment, policy, and operational improvements in Nepal’s plastic waste ecosystem.

Overview

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting a structured initiative in Nepal to improve plastic waste management systems.

The program focuses on:

Circular economy development
Plastic waste recovery systems
Sustainable value chain strengthening
Inclusive economic growth and livelihood creation

It is part of UNDP’s broader mandate in Nepal to support governance, environmental sustainability, and resilient economic development.

Key Objectives of the Program

1. Strengthening Plastic Waste Value Chains

The program aims to improve efficiency across the full plastic waste system:

Collection systems
Sorting and segregation
Transportation networks
Processing and recycling infrastructure

2. Assessing Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)

Key focus areas include:

Performance evaluation of MRFs
Operational efficiency assessment
Identification of system gaps and bottlenecks
Recommendations for improvement

3. Circular Economy and Market Development

The program supports:

Expansion of recycling markets
Private sector engagement in plastic circularity
Identification of downstream opportunities
Strengthening export and domestic recycling channels

4. Evidence-Based Policy and Investment Support

The initiative is designed to:

Inform public and private investment decisions
Support policy formulation
Provide data-driven insights on waste systems

5. Inclusive Livelihood and Economic Opportunities

The program promotes:

Employment in recycling and waste management sectors
Engagement of informal and formal workers
Support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

Core Research and Assessment Areas

The selected service provider must conduct detailed analytical and field-based work.

1. Stakeholder Mapping and Coordination

Identify actors across the plastic waste ecosystem
Coordinate with local governments and private sector entities
Ensure effective multi-stakeholder engagement

2. Policy and Document Review

Review existing national and local waste management policies
Analyse regulatory frameworks
Identify policy gaps and implementation challenges

3. Plastic Waste Flow Analysis

Estimate volume of plastic waste generated and processed
Track material flow through the value chain
Assess economic value of recovered materials

4. Recovery System Evaluation

Examine efficiency of current recovery practices
Identify operational bottlenecks
Recommend system improvements

5. Financial and Economic Analysis

Evaluate cost structures across the value chain:
- Collection
- Sorting
- Transport
- Processing
Assess revenue streams and profitability
Analyse financial viability of operations

6. Downstream Market Assessment

Study recyclers and processors
Assess national and local recycling markets
Evaluate export potential
Identify value addition opportunities

7. Sustainability Assessment

Evaluate long-term viability of:
- Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs)
- Cooperatives
- SMEs in waste sector
Assess environmental and operational sustainability

8. Reporting and Documentation

Produce comprehensive facility-level reports
Ensure data-driven evidence documentation
Provide structured findings and recommendations

Expected Role of UNDP Nepal

UNDP Nepal works in partnership with:

Government institutions
Local communities
Development partners
Private sector actors

Its focus areas include:

Inclusive economic growth
Governance strengthening
Sustainable natural resource management

This initiative supports evidence-based transformation of Nepal’s plastic waste system.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is limited to organizations with proven technical capacity in circular economy and waste management.

Required Experience

Applicants must have:

At least 5 years of experience in circular economy initiatives
Strong background in plastic waste management or recycling systems
Experience in value chain assessments or entrepreneurship studies in waste sector

Stakeholder Engagement Capacity

Applicants must demonstrate:

Experience working with government institutions
Collaboration with private sector entities
Ability to engage multilateral or international organizations (preferred)

Technical Capacity Requirements

Organizations must have:

A qualified and technically strong project team
Experience in research and analytical assessments
Capacity for field-level data collection and reporting

Social and Inclusion Standards

Applicants must have institutional policies on:

Gender equality
Disability inclusion
Diversity and social inclusion
Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)

Why This Program Matters

This initiative is important because it:

Strengthens Nepal’s plastic waste management systems
Supports transition to a circular economy model
Reduces environmental pollution from plastic waste
Improves efficiency of recycling and recovery systems
Creates inclusive economic opportunities in the waste sector
Encourages private sector participation in sustainable recycling markets
Provides data-driven insights for policy and investment decisions

How the Program Works

Step 1: System Assessment

Map plastic waste ecosystem
Identify stakeholders and facilities
Review existing policies and frameworks

Step 2: Field Data Collection

Assess Material Recovery Facilities
Measure waste volumes and flows
Gather financial and operational data

Step 3: Value Chain Analysis

Evaluate efficiency across all stages
Identify bottlenecks and gaps
Analyse market linkages and pricing systems

Step 4: Financial Viability Assessment

Study cost and revenue structures
Assess profitability of actors in the system
Evaluate sustainability of operations

Step 5: Market and Investment Mapping

Identify recycling market opportunities
Map private sector participation
Recommend investment priorities

Step 6: Reporting and Recommendations

Produce comprehensive analytical reports
Provide policy and investment recommendations
Deliver facility-specific assessments

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Lack of prior experience in waste or circular economy projects
Weak stakeholder coordination capabilities
Insufficient financial analysis expertise
Missing gender and inclusion policies
Overlooking downstream market analysis
Poor data collection and documentation systems

Key Tips for a Strong Application

Highlight at least 5 years of relevant circular economy experience
Demonstrate strong field research and data analysis capability
Show proven engagement with government and private sector actors
Include detailed team expertise in waste management systems
Emphasize inclusion, gender equality, and PSEA compliance policies
Present strong methodology for value chain and financial analysis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main goal of this UNDP Nepal initiative?

The goal is to improve plastic waste management systems and promote circular economy practices through data-driven analysis and system strengthening.

2. What areas does the program focus on?

It focuses on material recovery facilities, value chain efficiency, financial viability, and private sector engagement in recycling.

3. Who can apply for this opportunity?

Organizations with at least 5 years of experience in circular economy or waste management, along with strong technical and analytical capacity.

4. Is experience with international organizations required?

It is not mandatory but considered an advantage.

5. What kind of work will the selected organization perform?

They will conduct system assessments, stakeholder mapping, financial analysis, market studies, and produce detailed reports.

6. Does the program support policy development?

Yes, findings will inform public and private investment decisions and support policy improvements.

7. What social compliance requirements are needed?

Applicants must have policies on gender equality, disability inclusion, diversity, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Conclusion

The UNDP Nepal plastic waste management initiative is a comprehensive, research-driven program aimed at transforming the country’s waste ecosystem into a sustainable circular economy model.

By combining value chain analysis, financial assessment, and stakeholder coordination, the program supports long-term environmental sustainability, economic inclusion, and evidence-based policy development. Organizations with strong technical expertise and systems thinking capability are best positioned to contribute to this national-level transformation.