Norad Norwegian Development Programme to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-11 11:10

Norwegian development programme (2025-2028) providing competitive grants for NGOs and organizations working on plastic waste value chains, recycling training, and circular economy in developing countries including Indonesia and Vietnam.

Source: https://norad.no/en/for-partners/guides-and-tools/calls-for-proposals2/2025/call-for-proposals-for-the-norwegian-development-programme-to-reduce-plastic-pollution-and-marine-litter--stage-1

Funding Details

Funder

Norad – Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

Funding Goal

Reduce plastic pollution and marine litter in developing countries by supporting end-to-end plastic waste value chains, recycling capacity, and circular economy transitions through competitive grants to NGOs and organisations.

Funding Amount

Multi-year competitive grants; amounts not publicly specified in snippet — see call documents on norad.no for grant envelopes.

Deadline

2025 (Stage 1 concept note — exact date on norad.no) (Fixed)

How to Apply

Two-stage competitive process: Stage 1 — submit a concept note via norad.no by the specified deadline. Shortlisted applicants are invited to Stage 2 to submit a full project proposal. Final grants awarded after Stage 2 evaluation.

Target Region

Developing countries, primarily Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam) and potentially Africa

Contact

Norad – Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Contact details available at norad.no/en/front/about-norad/contact/

Last Checked

2026-03-11 17:32

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant is an NGO or civil society organisation with track record in plastic waste, recycling, or circular economy projects
• Project targets developing countries (priority: Southeast Asia or Africa) where plastic leakage is a significant issue

Project Scope

• Project addresses plastic waste value chains end-to-end: collection, sorting, recycling, and/or circular reuse
• Project includes partnerships with local stakeholders for implementation and long-term sustainability

Required Documents

• Stage 1: concept note submitted via norad.no before the published deadline
• Stage 2 (if invited): full project proposal with budget, logframe, and implementation plan submitted to Norad

Constraints

• Programme period: 2025–2028 — projects must fit within this funding window
• Grant is competitive — only shortlisted Stage 1 applicants proceed to full proposal stage

Summary

The Norwegian Development Programme to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter is a Norad-managed competitive grant programme running from 2025 to 2028. It provides multi-year development funding to NGOs and organisations implementing projects that reduce plastic pollution at source and throughout the value chain in developing countries. The programme targets the full lifecycle of plastic: collection, sorting, recycling, and circular reuse, with a particular emphasis on building local capacity and sustainable value chains. The geographic focus centres on developing countries where plastic leakage into the ocean is highest, with Southeast Asia (including Indonesia and Vietnam) and potentially Africa as priority regions. Projects are expected to demonstrate systemic impact and partner with local stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the grant period. The call follows a two-stage process: Stage 1 requires submission of a concept note, with shortlisted applicants then invited to submit a full proposal in Stage 2. This structure allows Norad to screen a broad range of project ideas before requesting detailed proposals. Norwegian civil society organisations and international NGOs with experience in plastic waste management and circular economy are the primary target applicants. The programme aligns with Norway's international climate and ocean commitments and contributes to global efforts to close the tap on plastic entering marine environments. Grants are substantial in size relative to typical development funding, supporting multi-year implementation with a focus on measurable reductions in plastic pollution.

Historical Context

The programme was established as part of Norway's international commitments to combat plastic pollution, with a funding period of 2025–2028. This is the Stage 1 call for the 2025 round. Norway has previously funded plastic pollution and ocean health initiatives through Norad and the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative.

Why it was added

GIZ/bilateral waste capacity building

Similar Programs

← Back to list