Open Calls for Proposals

UNEP is seeking partners committed to environmental sustainability. Below is a list of all current open calls for proposal relating to UNEP project and activities. Potential partners are invited to review the requirements related to calls for proposal which they are interested in by following the links provided and submit applications in accordance with the instructions given in the call for proposal.

6 results found

Title : Call for Proposals - Systemic Drivers of Food Loss and Waste in the United States

Project objective : To identify unique systemic drivers of food loss and waste in the United States and recommend strategies to address these unique drivers.

Project background : UNEP, as custodian of SDG 12.3 indicator the Food Waste Index and mandated by UNEA Resolution 4/2, is working with governments and stakeholders to halve food waste and reduce food loss, supporting research and strategic interventions in high-impact areas. In 2015, the United States set the National Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3. The United States, together with UNEP, would like to accelerate progress. This project will examine food loss and waste along the entire food supply chain, from farm to consumer, and identify drivers of food waste unique to the United States, relative to other high-income countries.

Project description : The project will address the following research questions: (1) In what areas is the United States unique among high-income countries with regard to its food supply, food system, or food policies in ways that may drive food waste? Factors may include things like food supply per capita, food trade balance, time-to-market for food products, agricultural policy, and food industry structure. (2) What are feasible strategies to reduce U.S. food waste in light of these findings? What may the U.S. need to do differently than other high-income countries to meet the goal of halving food loss and waste by 2030? Maximum budget of US$110,000.

Project requirements : Proposals should be submitted to unepflwproposals@proton.me with SYSTEMIC DRIVERS FOOD LOSS AND WASTE in the subject line. Proposals must use this Submission Template, respecting the word count: https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/41420/systemic_dr… This call is open to non-profit organisations and research institutions. A call for proposals on Addressing Unique Drivers of United States Household Food Waste has been opened in parallel. Candidates are welcome to respond to both proposals and demonstrate the interlinkages and added value of a joint approach.

Responsible officer : Clementine O'Connor

implementation start date : 31 Март, 2023

Implementation end date : 29 Февраль, 2024

Submission deadline : 10 Февраль, 2023

Notification date : 20 Март, 2023

Detailed proposal link

Title : Call for Proposals - Addressing Unique Drivers of United States Household Food Waste

Project objective : To recommend strategies and tools to reduce household food waste in the United States, based upon a comparative analysis of households in the United States and in other developed countries with less per capita food waste.

Project background : UNEP, as custodian of SDG 12.3 indicator the Food Waste Index and mandated by UNEA Resolution 4/2, is working with governments and stakeholders to halve food waste and reduce food loss, supporting research and strategic interventions in high-impact areas. In 2015, the United States set the National Food Loss and Waste Reduction Goal to halve food loss and waste by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3. The United States, together with UNEP, would like to accelerate progress. This project will examine food loss and waste along the entire food supply chain, from farm to consumer, and identify drivers of food waste unique to the United States, relative to other high-income countries. Many tools and strategies – including programs, direct-to-consumer messaging and interventions, and changes to retail environment – have proven successful in reducing household food waste. These tools and strategies could be deployed in the United States; however, demographic, cultural, business and economic, and other differences between the U.S. and other countries may limit their adoption or effectiveness. This project will (a) assess which strategies and tools used by other countries may be effective “off-the-shelf” in the U.S., (b) recommend customizations to existing tools and strategies to improve their effectiveness in the United States, and (c) suggest additional strategies and tools to address unique drivers of food waste by U.S. households.

Project description : The project will address the following research questions: (1) How do key food-related behaviors, drivers of food waste, and other qualities of households and consumer environment related to food and food waste in the U.S. compare to those of other high-income countries? How might these similarities and differences impact efforts to reduce household food waste? (2) What tools and strategies that have been successful in reducing household food waste in other high-income countries would be feasible to deploy in the United States at federal, state, local or community level? How should these tools and strategies be modified to be more effective in the United States? What additional tools and strategies should be developed to address unique qualities of U.S. households and the U.S. consumer environment or unique drivers of U.S. household food waste, relative to households in other high-income countries. Proposals should include initial or pilot phase testing of recommended tools and strategies. Maximum budget of US$110,000.

Project requirements : Proposals must be submitted to unepflwproposals@proton.me with UNIQUE DRIVERS HOUSEHOLD FOOD WASTE in the subject line. Proposals must use this Submission Template, respecting the word count: https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/41421/Addressing_… This call is open to non-profit organisations and research institutions. A call for proposals on Systemic Drivers of Food Loss and Waste in the United States has been opened in parallel. Candidates are welcome to respond to both proposals and demonstrate the interlinkages and added value of a joint approach.

Responsible officer : Clementine O'Connor

implementation start date : 31 Март, 2023

Implementation end date : 29 Февраль, 2024

Submission deadline : 10 Февраль, 2023

Notification date : 20 Март, 2023

Detailed proposal link

Title : Call for WWQA Workstream Proposals and Seed Funding Applications 2022/2023

Project objective : The work plan of the WWQA consists of various thematic priority topics and related workstreams. In principle, the workplan in its entirety reflects the priorities and emerging issues identified for action by the Alliance in a process of peer exchange and prioritisation. Members of the WWQA community can submit the following: Application proposal for the creation of a new workstream This second call is applicable to new workstream initiatives seeking to be adopted and that seek to contribute to the current WWQA Work Plan.
Applications for Seed Funding where applicable This is applicable to both new workstream proposals submitted under "1" (above) and to all other existing workstreams requesting seed funding from UNEP. Seed funding is generally designed to provide initial support for innovative workstreams addressing priority water quality issues and those which will feature co-benefits resulting from collaboration between WWQA and external partners. While proposals shall generally contribute to supporting the agreed Work Plan of the Alliance, new proposals demonstrating an innovative thematic focus to the Alliance will be accepted for consideration and review with regards to approval by the Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC). Technical and scientific review and guidance shall be provided by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

Project background : The World Water Quality Alliance Coordination Team at UNEP and the Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) of the World Water Quality Alliance is pleased to announce the second call for applications for seed funding and the initiation of new workstreams. All WWQA partners are invited to submit applications.

Project description : This call is open to member organisations of the World Water Quality Alliance community. This call will prioritise applications that focus on the delivery of change regarding a water-quality issue at a global, regional or country level. The proposal should demonstrate its capacity to foster data uptake, the subsequent creation of solutions and the enhancement of resilience.

Project requirements : The proposals/applications will be reviewed according to how they meet the following criteria: 1. The capacity to reflect the objectives and principles of the WWQA (See focus area described under eligibility) 2. The degree of innovation coupled with scientific and technical quality demonstrated 3. The capacity to collaborate with other WWQA workstreams 4. The degree of sustainability and cost/benefit together with procedural and implementation details. 5. The transformative potential and the outlining of a mid to long-term roadmap

Responsible officer : richard elelman

implementation start date : 31 Октябрь, 2022

Implementation end date : 31 Октябрь, 2023

Submission deadline : 6 Октябрь, 2022

Notification date : 31 Октябрь, 2022

Detailed proposal link

Title : Fourth Call for Application - Global Ecosystem-based Adaptation Fund

Project objective : In 2021, the biannual funding decisions were in July 2021 and November 2021. In 2022 the first cut-off date was February 28. The next cut-off date for Concept Stage submission you can apply to now is 15 July 2022 at 23:59 UTC+2. Applications received after the cut-off dates will be considered for the next round. You will find all the documents necessary to apply for a grant on our website.

Project background : Led by IUCN and UNEP, the Global EbA Fund is a quickly deployable mechanism for supporting innovative approaches to Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). The Fund aims to encourage catalytic initiatives to help overcome barriers for upscaling EbA. Furthermore, it is expected that the Fund will address the gaps in knowledge and planning for EbA, as well as increase access to public and private funding for catalytic adaptation interventions. Through its International Climate Initiative (IKI), the Federal Environment Ministry of Germany has committed 30 million euros to the Fund.

Project description : The Global EbA Fund prioritizes the closing of resource and knowledge gaps with a broad thematic focus on innovation and urgency, thus encouraging creative solutions and partnerships among funding applicants and the wider EbA community. By supporting catalytic interventions, the Fund engages in strategic EbA policy mainstreaming and incentivizes innovative finance mechanisms and private sector investment. The Global EbA Fund will draw on and support the growing momentum behind nature-based solutions and EbA, creating synergies with other upscaling initiatives, including the Friends of EbA (FEBA), the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Global Adaptation Network (GAN), the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA; specifically, Action Track on Nature-Based Solutions), the Sustainable Development Goals and more.

Project requirements : The Global EbA Fund grants should be complementary and add value to existing work by filling a gap in an existing project, enhancing the impact of an EbA investment, contributing to policy upscaling of EbA, and/or serving to develop a larger proposal to another funding mechanism. The Fund prioritizes applicants that are well-grounded in the proposed region or area of work; have experience of the size and type of project proposed; and are inclusive of local communities, indigenous knowledge, and gender perspectives. You can find more information about the different requirements on the following pages: What We Fund and FAQs. This Call for Proposals will be contributions of USD 50,000 to USD 250,000 and will have no specified/prioritized regional or country focus. Projects may have a global, thematic, regional, and/or country-specific focus. The maximum project duration is 36 months. UN agencies and IUCN offices are not currently eligible to apply for funding from the Global EbA Fund. Countries, where the project is being implemented, need to be eligible for official development assistance (ODA). For multi-country projects, all of the countries must be ODA-eligible. In line with current IKI policies, the Fund will not provide grants directly to government partners but to organizations working directly with national, sub-national, and local governments to create an enabling environment for EbA and the implementation of strategic partnerships. If you need more information or have any other questions, please contact Contact.EbAFund@iucn.org. To send the proposal, please use this email address submit.EbAFund@iucn.org.

Responsible officer : Oscar Ivanova

implementation start date : 25 Июль, 2021

Implementation end date : 30 Декабрь, 2021

Submission deadline :

Notification date : 14 Декабрь, 2022

How to Apply – Global EbA Fund

Title : Structuring and regulation of the Climate Change Fund of the Republic of Paraguay

Project objective : The objective of this call is to garner expressions of interest from eligible institutions to participate in a climate change mitigation project, currently implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) REDD+ results-based payments pilot programme.

Project background : In November 2019 and with the support of UNEP as Accredited Entity, the Government of Paraguay signed a results-based payment agreement with the GCF for 9.8 million Tons of CO2 equivalent from avoided deforestation during the period 2015-2017. The Government of Paraguay committed to the GCF to use the payments received to generate further CO2 emission reductions through the implementation of the National Strategy for Forests and Sustainable Growth (ENBCS) as well as in the structuring, capitalization and operation of the Climate Change Fund.

Project description : The present call objective is to develop the architecture of the Climate Change Fund (FCC) of Paraguay, the legal, governance and operational instruments for their implementation within the framework of the Paraguayan laws and the conditions established by the Green Climate Fund within the framework of the “REDD+ Results-Based Payments project” approved for the country.

Project requirements : UNEP invites eligible institutions to participate in an agreement of cooperation. The interested institutions must provide information indicating that they are qualified to provide the services and allow the following aspects to be evaluated: Legal status of the entity (update documents of legal constitution); Financial and administrative capacity (2020 financial statements, organizational structure, capacity to hiring); Technical capacity (description of the current technical equipment or identification of the technical equipment required to hire); Experience in implementing similar technical activities (projects or preparation of studies, research, or programs associated with instruments or vehicles for sustainable or climate financing; environmental economics, mobilization of climate resources, incentives, green / climate products and services, among others)

Responsible officer : Erika San

implementation start date : 1 Январь, 1970

Implementation end date : 23 Сентябрь, 2021

Submission deadline :

Notification date : 30 Июль, 2021

View detailed invitation

Title : Call for Applications: Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator – UNEP-CTCN

Project objective : Provide technical assistance to eligible developing countries in support of innovation and technology for effective, long-term adaptation to climate change.

Project background : The Adaptation Fund has launched a new USD 10 million pilot small grants programme (Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator, AFCIA) to foster innovation in adaptation in developing countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid.

Project description : The primary objective of the AFCIA administrated by UNEP-CTCN is to support developing countries to test, evaluate, roll out and scale up innovative adaptation practices, products and technologies. Based on technical assistance services, 25 micro-grants projects will be implemented for 5 years to enhance climate resilience and adapt to climate change in the countries. Moreover, the AFCIA will facilitate knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices, strengthening opportunities of South-South and triangular cooperation on innovation in adaptation among the countries.

Project requirements : Applicants (e.g. government, non-governmental organisation, community group, young innovator and other groups) of eligible countries should fill in the Technology Concept Submission Form available online (at the below link). The application should be endorsed by the Adaptation Fund's Designated Authority and the CTCN National Designated Entity (NDE) of the country prior to official submission.

Responsible officer : Eva Comba

implementation start date : 1 Май, 2021

Implementation end date : 30 Апрель, 2022

Submission deadline : 30 Апрель, 2022

Notification date : 31 Май, 2022

AFCIA