World Bank SEA-MaP: SE Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics

Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-11 12:11

US$20M regional grant for ASEAN through Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP). Five-year project to reduce plastic consumption, boost recycling, minimize plastic leakages across ASEAN.

Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/11/13/world-bank-and-asean-launch-regional-program-to-combat-marine-plastics

Funding Details

Funder

World Bank / ASEAN Secretariat (implemented by UNOPS)

Funding Goal

Support ASEAN Member States in implementing the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris by reducing plastic consumption, increasing recycling, and minimising plastic leakages into the ocean across Southeast Asia

Funding Amount

USD 20 million IDA grant from World Bank to ASEAN Secretariat; programme-level funding not distributed as open grants to NGOs — delivers through technical assistance, capacity building, policy tools, and institutional strengthening

Deadline

2027-12-31 (Unknown)

How to Apply

No open grant application process for NGOs. Engagement pathways: (1) respond to ASEAN working group stakeholder consultations; (2) approach UNOPS regional office for implementing partner opportunities; (3) contact SEA-MaP PMU at seamap.feedback@asean.org; (4) participate in regional events hosted by seamap-asean.org. The programme delivers primarily policy, standards, and knowledge products rather than sub-grants.

Target Region

ASEAN Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Contact

SEA-MaP Project Management Unit, Heritage Building 1st Floor, ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta 12110, Indonesia. Email: seamap.feedback@asean.org. Website: seamap-asean.org.

Official Page

https://seamap-asean.org/

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:31

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Engagement via ASEAN technical working groups and UNOPS implementing partner selection
• Contact seamap.feedback@asean.org for stakeholder engagement opportunities

Project Scope

• Programme covers ASEAN member states only (Vietnam, Indonesia eligible)
• Focus on policy, standards, knowledge products rather than direct community grants

Constraints

• Government-to-government programme — no open NGO grant calls

Summary

The Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP) is a five-year programme launched in 2022 and running to 2027, financed by a USD 20 million International Development Association (IDA) grant from the World Bank to the ASEAN Secretariat. The programme is implemented by UNOPS on behalf of ASEAN. SEA-MaP supports the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris — an intergovernmental framework committing all ten ASEAN member states to coordinated action on marine plastic pollution. The programme focuses on three interconnected objectives: reducing plastic consumption across ASEAN economies, increasing plastic recycling rates, and minimising the leakage of plastics into the ocean environment. Key programme components include: strengthening regional policies and regulatory frameworks for plastics circularity; establishing regional platforms for innovation, investment, knowledge exchange, and multi-stakeholder partnerships; supporting implementation of the ASEAN Action Plan; and developing knowledge and technical tools for member states. Deliverables already produced include a Regional Behavioural Change Communication Strategy Playbook, a Synthesis Report on Plastic Pollution Indicator Framework, a Best Practice Manual on Plastic Packaging and Labelling, and a Regional Guidebook on Phasing Out Single-Use Plastics. The programme operates as a government-to-government mechanism and does not distribute open competitive grants to NGOs. Civil society and private sector engagement occurs primarily through technical working groups, stakeholder consultations, and selected implementing partnerships managed by ASEAN and UNOPS. Organisations with technical expertise in plastic recycling, collection systems, or circular economy policy in ASEAN member states — particularly Vietnam and Indonesia, which are key operating countries — may find opportunities to engage as technical advisors or implementing partners. Expected disbursements: USD 3.2 million in 2023, USD 3.99 million in 2024, with continued disbursements through 2027.

Historical Context

Programme approved June 2022 with USD 20 million World Bank IDA grant. ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Marine Debris adopted 2021. Programme runs 2022-2027. Endorsed by ASEAN in 2022. Building on World Bank earlier investments in Southeast Asia waste management infrastructure.

Why it was added

World Bank $20M ASEAN grant specifically for combating marine plastics in SE Asia region

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