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Overview

A Call for Applications

Deadline: Friday 11th April 2025

Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue in Sierra Leone, driven by widespread plastic use and improper disposal due to inadequate waste management systems. Plastics accumulate in urban and rural areas, clogging streets, rivers, and drainage systems, contributing to flooding, especially during the rainy season. This pollution harms ecosystems, degrades soil quality, and negatively affects wildlife. Additionally, burning plastic releases harmful chemicals, and blocked drains create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing disease risks. Plastic pollution also threatens Sierra Leone’s tourism industry, as plastic waste along coastlines diminishes the country's natural appeal. To address these challenges, the government and NGOs are promoting awareness, recycling, and discussing about plastic ban, but enforcement remains difficult. Solutions require improving waste management, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and encouraging responsible disposal, with international cooperation and local efforts playing a crucial role in reducing plastic waste and safeguarding both public health and the environment.

As part of the Global Plastics Innovation Programme implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), innovative solutions are being explored to be piloted to reduce plastic waste generation, foster the development of sustainable alternatives, and enhance circular economy practices.

In view of the above, UNDP Sierra Leone is calling for proposals for a grant of up to USD 40,000 to prospective organizations and institutions to design and pilot innovation solutions to reduce plastic pollution. Below is a non-exhaustive list of areas of possible innovations: 

• Material Innovation: Developing sustainable, biodegradable materials like edible spoons and bamboo straws, with lifecycle assessments to ensure sustainability.
• Design Innovation: Redesigning products, such as switching from physical media to digital streaming, while considering environmental impacts.
• Business Model Innovation: Transitioning to service-based models and promoting reusable/refillable products to reduce plastic waste.
• Technological Innovation: Using technology for improved recycling, monitoring, and waste management to extend product lifespans and enhance material circulation.

Project duration

The project is expected to commence in April 2025 and be completed by the end of December 2025.

Grant Amount

A maximum of USD 40,000 will be allocated to the winning innovation solutions.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Women or women-led organizations and youth applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Should be a Non-profit national organization (CSO/CBO/NGO/Foundation/Academia).
2. Eligible organization should have specialized expertise/ or appropriate skilled personnel in provision of the task.
3. Experience in implementing initiatives with similar scope and nature is required.
4. Prospective organization should be registered in accordance with the legal requirements of the Government of Sierra Leone.
5. Prospective organizations may submit a joint proposal as coalitions. In this case, main applicant must provide support letters from relevant co-applicant specifying their respective role. In case of a joint proposal, the main applicant shall have proven experience in the proposed area of programming for the grant.
6. The prospective organization should dedicate a team of at least 3 technical experts (one of which should be a team leader) to implementing the required assignment.

Procedures of Grant Proposal Submission

Those wishing to apply for Grants must submit:

1. Signed Grants proposal application form in line with the template (See annex A) downloaded from the link https://procurement-notices.undp.org/
2. Other documents as required in line with the Terms of Reference

Submissions should be made electronically in one file (pdf format) signed and scanned to the following email: procure.sle@undp.org. One submission per organization or a joint proposal is allowable for this call. In case prospective organizations are submitting a joint proposal as coalitions, the main applicant must provide support letters from relevant co-applicants specifying their respective role. Once the application is complete and submitted, revised versions of proposal documents will not be accepted.

The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on Friday, 11th April 2025. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging to vendors.sle@undp.org . UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.