Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) Grants Program (Sri Lanka & Maldives)

Deadline: 14-May-21

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) Annual Program Statement for Sri Lanka and Maldives seeks Concept Papers from organizations that are interested and qualified to implement local grants that support the program’s objectives to reduce ocean plastics pollution.

CCBO will rely heavily on its grant program and implementing grantees in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to help achieve overall project and country-specific objectives. Potential grantee organizations may include nongovernmental organizations (NGO), civil society organizations (CSO), community-based organizations (CBO), private foundations and universities, research institutions, business associations, and private companies operating or able to operate in one of CCBO’s pilot sites or other areas of interest.

Applying organizations are asked to submit concept papers for either Sri Lanka or the Maldives; CCBO does not expect a single organization to propose work in both countries. Organizations who have and have not received prior USAID funding are encouraged to apply.

Funding Information

• Promote 3Rs and strengthen local and regional markets for recycled plastic: CCBO seeks to strengthen local and regional markets for recycled materials by increasing collection system efficiency, optimizing the volume collected, and identifying/building local recycling opportunities where access may be limited to larger metropolitan markets. In addition, CCBO seeks to promote the 3Rs to encourage waste reduction and reuse behaviors, recognizing that recycling is only one solution. Grant activities may include:
  • Where non-existent or non-functional, identify aggregation sites and routes that will optimize neighborhood and/or island waste collection schemes.
  • Design and test reusable and refillable product delivery models.
  • Design and test locally appropriate recycled or upcycled plastic products or technologies for reusing material.
• Build social behavior change for 3Rs and sustainable waste management: CCBO seeks to work collaboratively with communities, schools, businesses, and/or local governments to increase and enhance implementation of the 3Rs through social and behavior change. Grant activities may include:
  • Economic, logistical and other factors that contribute to them to inform SBC programming. Research may be focused on household, commercial, industrial, and/or tourism sectors, as relevant to the proposed intervention.
  • Develop integrated SBC strategies that include stakeholder-led SBC initiatives that promote systematic waste sorting in households, locally feasible recycling and reuse behaviors, or systematic and sustainable programs that include ongoing 3R promotion Integrated strategies may start with a campaign but should also incorporate activities and community roles that support sustained behavior change (e.g. neighborhood 3R volunteers/ experts, and links with means of safe disposal or 3Rs).
  • Test technologies, tools and strategies that increase independent waste collectors and handlers’ efficiencies in collecting and separating solid waste and expanding their customer base.
  • Establish and/or strengthen independent waste collector cooperatives to formalize and promote their societal standing.
• Increase capacity and effective governance of SWM and recycling systems: To establish stronger SWM and recycling systems that are responsive to each engagement sites’ unique needs, CCBO seeks grants that assist local governments with planning, formalizing, and enforcing inclusive policies, laws and regulations—and implementing appropriate systems (such as infrastructure, service delivery schemes, or software tools) to support them. Grant activities may include:
  • Develop and promote local evidence-based 3R/SWM strategies, tools, or technologies to inform and improve local and national policies.
  • Design, test, or scale decision-making software or other technologies to help communities and governments strengthen and monitor their service delivery models.
  • Test models that support 3R and SWM practices (i.e., charging household collection fees, deposit/refund schemes, paying house-to-house waste collectors’ incomes in addition to revenue from selling scrap, etc.).
  • Design and test new models for collecting, sorting, and treating solid waste from waterways.
  • Establish or strengthen community-based collection and recycling schemes.
  • Establish or strengthen the ability of local governments and independent waste collectors to continue providing services and following best practices in health and safety during natural disasters, political unrest, and health outbreaks.
  • Convene public and private stakeholders for policy dialogue.
  • Support the drafting, proposal and adoption of local or national legal instruments (regulations, constitutional amendments, or provisions designed to carry the force of law, mandates or authority) that promote gender equality and/or non-discrimination of women and girls in the 3R/SWM sector

Period of Performance

• The applicant shall specify the period of performance for the project being proposed. It is anticipated that the duration of the grants will be 12 to 24 months but may be longer or shorter depending on the technical scope of work. Depending on the scope of work proposed, CCBO may work with the applicant to develop a performance-based or multi-phased grant in which a successful grantee must complete Phase 1 prior to being considered for Phase 2 funding.
• It is anticipated that grant implementation will begin in October 2020 for those Concept Papers received before the first review deadline (July 6, 2020), provided a Full Application is reviewed and approved by CCBO and USAID. All subsequent awards are expected to begin between 2-3 months after the submission and successful acceptance of the Concept Paper and Full Application. While committed to advancing program objectives, CCBO will continue to maintain flexibility and ongoing communication with applying organizations to responsibly respond to the coronavirus outbreak and the potential impacts on program timing.

Geographic Focus

• CCBO seeks to identify SWM challenges and opportunities faced by island countries and solutions that can be replicated in other island countries and as such, will work in Sri Lanka and Maldives. CCBO has developed a short-list of initial “pilot” engagement sites, considering criteria including: alignment with USAID Mission’s priorities and focus regions/municipalities; risk to health, economic development, and ecosystems; demonstrated political buy-in; potential to reduce marine plastics pollution; demonstrated private sector interest and investment opportunities; potential to leverage prior or existing efforts, including those of previous/ongoing USAID investments; presence of under-represented groups.

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/fee may not be charged to a grant);
• Non-US organizations;
• US organizations (limited to $100,000 budget);
• Organizations that have previously received a USAID grant;
• Organizations that have never received a USAID award before; and
• Organizations that are working or are able to work in one or more of the pilot sites.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate the following:

• Be legally registered to operate in the proposed country (Sri Lanka or Maldives);
• Be in good standing with all civil and fiscal authorities in the proposed country (Sri Lanka or Maldives)
• Be willing to sign applicable assurances and certifications if invited to submit a Full Application; and
• Be willing to register with a DUNS number if invited to submit a Full Application

For more information, visit https://urban-links.org/project/ccbo-grants/