Deadline: Ongoing Opportunity
Norad has launched a call for concept notes for projects that aim to reduce plastic pollution and marine litter in developing countries. This initiative is part of the second phase of the Norwegian development programme designed to address the growing environmental and health impacts of plastic waste.
The main goal of the call is to lessen the negative effects of plastic pollution on both the environment and local populations, particularly in developing nations.
This funding opportunity is open to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as lead applicants.
Norad encourages consortium-based applications, allowing for-profit companies, foreign government institutions, multilateral agencies, and intergovernmental organizations to participate as consortium members.
However, only NGOs are eligible to serve as lead applicants, and preference will be given to non-profit entities.
The overarching objective of the programme is to support the reduction of plastic pollution and marine litter through five key outcomes: strengthening national and global frameworks, reducing plastic consumption and demand, improving plastic waste management systems, boosting resource mobilization and creating safe jobs in the circular economy, and reducing health and environmental damage caused by plastic waste.
Grants can support a wide range of project types that contribute to these outcomes. For instance, projects may help countries engage in the global treaty process against plastic pollution or enhance national policies such as extended producer responsibility frameworks.
Initiatives promoting innovative technologies to curb plastic use or developing national systems for better plastic waste management are also welcome. Other eligible projects could focus on supporting the circular economy, mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms, or addressing health and environmental damage from legacy and hazardous plastic waste.
Norad is prioritizing concept notes with a proposed implementation period of three to four years. The primary geographic focus of this programme includes Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean and Pacific. Within these regions, special attention is given to India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and South Africa.
For this specific call, Norad is prioritizing projects targeting local populations in Indonesia, Vietnam, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania. Regional projects may also be considered, provided applicants clearly demonstrate how they intend to engage their target populations.
Eligibility criteria require the lead applicant to be a legally independent NGO, capable of providing full and accurate organizational information. If applying as part of a consortium, all partners must also be eligible to receive grants.
Project proposals will be evaluated based on their potential to implement national and international commitments related to marine litter, engage the private sector in sustainable production and waste management, enhance ocean health through land-based waste management practices, and support vulnerable populations through a just transition to a circular economy.
For more information, visit Norad.
