International Climate Initiative
One of the main funding support options of the German government are the funding opportunities as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). Projects can receive funding in the amount of EUR 5 million up to EUR 30 million. This is a funding option for large-scale multi-year projects. There are also other options for smaller projects available.
IKI Small Grants are aimed at helping developing countries with climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as forest and biodiversity conservation. Its aim is to contribute to the global framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Since its foundation in 2019, it has provided different financing schemes and it targets supporting more than 100 projects till 2025. Apart from supporting institutions, a great share of funding is allocated through International Calls. In regular intervals, the IKI asks for project proposals supporting local climate and biodiversity action. In a one-stage selection process, the proposals are evaluated. In order to be eligible, the organization must have at least three years of experience and have an annual revenue between EUR 60,000 and EUR 500,000. The funding volume one can acquire is between EUR 20,000 and EUR 200,000. In their projects, the IKI highly values local experiences, integration of indigenous and traditional knowledge, the special local circumstances and gender equality.
As of November 30, 2022, IKI announces the 4th Call for Proposals of the IKI Small Grants Program. Funding of between EUR 60,000 and EUR 200,000 is provided for ambitious projects implemented by non-profit organizations registered in an ODA-eligible country and having an average annual income of between EUR 60,000 and EUR 500,000 over the past three years. More detailed information for this program can be found here.
Apart from the small grants, the IKI also provides medium grants for multi-year projects with financial volumes between EUR 300,000 and EUR 800,000. The medium grants can only be obtained when working together with a German non-profit civil society organization and non-profit German companies.
Source: International Climate Initiative
Furthermore, the aforementioned procedure must be passed for the project to be chosen and obtain financing support from IKI.
Switch Asia
The Switch Asia Grants Programme by the European Union aims at pilot projects of companies to adopt cleaner technologies to create more sustainable industrial practices. It also financially supports initiatives that help consumers to make more responsible daily choices and help education. In 2021, 3% of its projects revolve around plastics and 3% around waste management. This initiative is already present in Indonesia, as 5% of their project share is Indonesian. The focus of the external dimension of the grant scheme is the EU Green Deal, thus it especially aims for projects in sustainable food-systems and circular economy.
DeveloPPP
The DeveloPPP initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and provides financing to different types of companies. In order to be eligible, the company needs to be registered either with the EU, the EFTA, or the OECD-DAC and needs to show long-term interest in the target country and to exhibit SDG ambitions. The classic option aims at medium-sized and large companies, who would like to invest sustainably in a developing market. The venture option addresses start-ups that want to improve living conditions in a developing or emerging country, and would like to expand their business.
Ocean Innovation Challenge
The Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) is a funding mechanism established by UNDP in 2020 to accelerate the progress of SDG 14 Targets regarding life below water - conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
The OIC periodically opens its 'Ocean Challenges' or Requests for Proposals series by carrying out themes based on the SDG 14 targets. In each series, the OIC seeks innovation from various entities such as governments, private companies (including start-ups), NGO/CSO, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations. The location for the implementation and utilization of the project is focused on developing countries, although participants who submit proposals can come from developing or developed countries. The OIC will grant project proposals ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 250,000 with project time frames lasting 1-2 years.
The first series has taken place with the theme SDG 14.1: Reduce marine pollution on 6 January 2020 – 5 March 2020; The second series with the theme of sustainable fisheries on March 9 to May 9, 2021; and the third series with the theme Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Area-Based Management and the Blue Economy which call for proposals has been running from 10 February to 29 April 2022.
Through the first series, OIC supports the implementation of EPR scheme for plastic and packaging waste in Maldives by providing funding up to USD 233,725 starting from March 2021 to February 2023. Meanwhile in Indonesia, OIC facilitates the fashion industry's microfiber pollution-reducing innovations.
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste
The Alliance to End Plastic Waste is a community of pioneering CEOs dedicated to building a circular economy for plastic. The Alliance is open for companies that have promising projects in addressing plastic waste. Investments up to hundreds of millions of dollars are carried out with projects that revolve around increasing the efficiency of waste collection, increasing recycling capacity, and using plastic waste.
Part of the Alliance's work: Project STOP - Jembrana, Indonesia.
(Source: The Alliance to End Plastic Waste)
Other procurement websites
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
One can also apply for funding opportunities by the Asian Development Bank. According to the “Strategy 2030”, financing partnership opportunities include project specific co-financing, financing partnership facilities, single and multi-donor trust funds, global funding initiatives, and partnership framework agreements. The Asian Development Bank also regularly publishes project opportunities through their tender page.