Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) Annual Program Statement

Deadline: 20 March 2020

CCBO has just released an Annual Program Statement for the Philippines and is seeking Concept Papers from organizations that are interested and qualified to implement grants in the Philippines that support the program’s objectives to reduce ocean plastics pollution.

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is USAID’s flagship program for combatting ocean plastic pollution. The program works globally to target ocean plastics directly at their source, focusing on rapidly urbanizing areas that contribute significantly to the estimated eight million metric tons of plastic that flow into the ocean each year.

Grants will be awarded to select organizations to implement effective, locally-led solutions and approaches to combat ocean plastics pollution directly at their source.

Objectives

CCBO seeks to fund grants in the Philippines that will contribute to one or multiple of the following crosscutting objectives:

Strengthening collection and aggregation capacity of solid waste and recyclables: To increase the percentage of solid waste and recyclables collected, and thus reduce environmental leakage and increase rates of recycling and reuse, CCBO seeks grants that optimize:
- the percentage of the population serviced by waste collectors and handlers;
- the amount of material that waste collectors and handlers can collect and process in a given day;
- services provided to waste generators (e.g. households).
Increasing uptake and implementation of reuse, reduction and recycling practices: CCBO seeks grants that work collaboratively with communities, schools, businesses, and local governments to increase and enhance implementation of the 3Rs through consumer education and behavior change, the development of new markets, and innovations that advance circular use models. Examples of which include research, design, and testing of locally-appropriate recycled or upcycled plastic products or technologies, as well as working with the private sector to implement alternative product delivery models for fast-moving consumer goods.
Building collective action with lasting, measurable impacts: To amplify impact, CCBO will identify grant activities that demonstrate an ability to generate lasting impacts, partnerships, and investment in activities aimed at reducing ocean plastics and improving SWM. Applicants are encouraged to explore various forms of private sector and local government engagement, including collaborations with financial and non-financial (in-kind) resource contributions; projects to pilot and scale private sector approaches for greater impact; and establishing effective procedures for monitoring progress.
Empowering stakeholders such as women, youth, waste collectors and handlers, and other underrepresented groups: CCBO seeks to incorporate gender-sensitive and gender-transformative approaches in all of its activities, including grants, to provide increased and equitable economic opportunities; promote safe working conditions; and improve the livelihoods of those working in waste collection and handling. Applicants are encouraged to pursue an inclusive approach that fosters equality, reduces gender gaps, empowers women and girls, and addresses the unique challenges that affect women, youth and waste collectors and handlers differently

Illustrative Activities

Examples of topic areas that CCBO anticipates funding include, but are not limited to, the following:

Promotion of 3R practices and markets, such as the research, design, and testing of locallyappropriate recycled or upcycled plastic products or technologies, as well as alternative product delivery models for fast-moving consumer goods.
Implementation of stakeholder-led SBC initiatives for improved 3R/SWM practices, such as community-based recycling programs, programs to promote systematic sorting in households, or campaigns conducted with members of the private sector targeting consumers.
Improved livelihoods and security of waste collectors and handlers, such as the design and application of route optimization strategies for waste collectors, innovative or evidence-based tools that broaden the customer base of waste collectors and handlers, or programs to decrease safety and health risks for those that work in the sector.
Promotion of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, such as job creation and support to develop or expand women-owned businesses.
Expanded knowledge on SBC opportunities and potential solutions, such as new research to identify current SWM practices and the structural, economic, logistical factors that contribute to them.
Support to local governments to develop, implement, and enforce relevant policies and regulations, such as assessments of institutional capacity for sustainable SWM; development and promotion of local evidence-based 3R/SWM strategies, tools, or technologies to inform and improve local and national policies; design and testing of 3R/SWM decision-making software for governments.
Inclusion of all actors in the waste value chain in proposed solutions, such as through participatory research with waste collectors, junk dealers, and others at first stages of the SWM chain, as well as with businesses higher up on the value chain.
Application of new or expanded use of tested technologies to enhance system efficiency, such as those to monitor service delivery models by communities and governments, or those that can strengthen service delivery, or improve revenue, cost recovery, accountability, and transparency.
Litter capture systems, including the design and testing of collection infrastructure and systems in rivers and canals.

Funding and Duration Information

Awards are expected to range from $50,000 to $250,000 based on the technical approach proposed.
In accordance with Automate Directives System (ADS) 302.3.4.13, grants to U.S.-based organizations are limited to $100,000.
The duration of the grants will be 12 to 24 months but may be longer or shorter depending on the technical scope of work.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include:
- Non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, private foundations and universities, research institutions, business associations, and private companies (profit is not allowed under grants);
- Non-US organizations;
- US organizations (limited to $100,000 budget);
- Organizations who have received a USAID MWRP grant;
- Organizations who have never received a USAID award before;
- Organizations who are working or are able to work in the one or more of the pilot sites listed above.
Eligible applicants must demonstrate the following:
- Be legally registered to operate in the Philippines;
- Be in good standing with all civil and fiscal authorities in the Philippines;
- Be willing to sign applicable assurances and certifications if invited to submit a Full Application;
- Provide a valid DUNS number with submission of a Full Application (not required with the Concept Paper).