German Federal Grant Programme Against Marine Litter (BMUV)

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 17:21

German Federal Ministry grant programme supporting projects in developing countries reducing waste inputs into the ocean. Budget of 20 million euros per year for 2026-2028. Eligible activities include harbor/port waste handling, collection, sorting, recycling infrastructure and training.

Source: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/grant-programme-against-marine-litter

Funding Details

Funder

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV)

Funding Goal

Support projects in developing countries to reduce inputs of waste into the ocean at key points of waste generation, both land-based and sea-based. Funded activities include harbor and port waste handling infrastructure, plastic waste collection systems, sorting facilities, recycling infrastructure and training for local operators.

Funding Amount

20 million EUR per year, planned annually for 2026 to 2028 (total up to 60 million EUR over 3 years)

Deadline

Unknown (Unknown)

How to Apply

Details available through the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV). The programme is registered as an SDG partnership via the UN SDGs platform. Contact BMUV directly for current call status.

Target Region

Developing countries globally, with focus on reducing ocean inputs in Africa and Asia

Contact

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV), Germany

Last Checked

2026-05-07 01:57

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Project must be implemented in a developing country

Project Scope

• Activities must target reduction of waste inputs into the ocean
• Both land-based and sea-based waste generation points are eligible
• Activities may include harbour/port waste handling, collection, sorting, recycling infrastructure and training

Required Documents

• Contact BMUV directly to determine open call status and application requirements

Constraints

• Annual budget of 20 million EUR available for 2026-2028

Summary

The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) administers a dedicated grant programme to reduce marine litter in developing countries. The programme specifically targets the reduction of waste inputs into the ocean at key points of waste generation, covering both land-based and sea-based sources. Thematically, the programme focuses on marine litter reduction, plastic waste management, harbour and port waste handling, collection and sorting systems, recycling infrastructure, and capacity building for local operators. It is aligned with SDG 14 (Life Below Water), specifically targets 14.1 and 14.2, addressing marine pollution from land-based activities and ecosystem protection. Eligible activities include development and operation of waste collection systems at ports and harbours, sorting and recycling infrastructure investments, technology transfer, training for local waste management workers, and systemic interventions at key points where waste enters the ocean. Projects combining capital investment with operational capacity building are typical. Geographically, the programme targets developing countries globally, with Africa and Asia being primary focus regions given the scale of ocean plastic inputs from these regions. The programme does not appear to be restricted to specific countries within these geographies. Eligible applicants are not explicitly described in the available source material, but the programme's structure as a grant scheme for developing country projects suggests NGOs, international organisations, and consortium partnerships with in-country implementers are expected. Projects with an established in-country operational partner are likely preferred. The programme budget is substantial: 20 million EUR per year for 2026, 2027, and 2028, representing up to 60 million EUR total over the three-year funding cycle. No co-financing rate is specified in available materials. Application deadlines and processes are not published on the SDG partnerships page; applicants should contact BMUV directly.

Historical Context

The programme is registered as SDG Action #OceanAction58817 on the UN SDGs Partnerships Platform. It is a continuation programme, as indicated by the word 'continues' in the description, suggesting previous rounds existed before the 2026-2028 tranche.

Sources

• https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/grant-programme-against-marine-litter

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