Globally, the Philippines is the third-largest source of ocean-bound, discarded plastic waste. It is estimated that twenty percent of the country’s 2.7 million tons of annual plastic waste ends up in the oceans, fueled largely by high consumer consumption and dependence on single use plastics. Reducing the outflow of plastic has become a top priority of national and local governments, as well as many community and non-governmental organizations, who have already begun individual efforts to turn the tide.

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) was launched in August 2019 as USAID's flagship program to respond to the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution. The program targets plastics directly at their source, in cities and towns in rapidly urbanizing areas around the globe.

CCBO has just released an Annual Program Statement for the Philippines, which seeks Concept Papers from organizations that are interested and qualified to implement grants in the Philippines that support the program’s objectives. Grants will be awarded to select organizations that demonstrate effective, locally-led solutions and approaches that can stem the tide of ocean plastic pollution.

Who can apply?
Eligible grantees may include non-governmental, civil society, or community-based organizations, private foundations and universities, and other not-for-profit organizations.

What topics qualify?
CCBO is seeking grant proposals for effective, locally-led solutions and approaches in the Philippines that promote 3R practices (reducing, reusing and recycling) and enhance solid waste management (SWM), ultimately reducing ocean plastics pollution. CCBO seeks grants that will:

• Strengthen collection and aggregation capacity of waste and recyclables
• Raise awareness of and support waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
• Build collective action through partnerships with measurable impacts
• Empower women, youth, independent waste collectors and handlers, and other underrepresented groups