UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme - Waste Picker Livelihood and Plastics Projects

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 17:21

Global GEF Small Grants Programme provides grants typically up to USD 50,000 to NGOs and community organizations working on environmental issues including livelihood improvement for waste pickers through plastic waste management and recycling systems. Issues country-level calls for community-level circular plastics initiatives.

Source: https://sgp.undp.org

Funding Details

Funder

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) / Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Funding Goal

Provide small grants to community-based organisations (CBOs) and NGOs for projects addressing global environmental issues including biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation, sustainable forest management, international waters, and chemicals and waste management (including plastic waste and waste picker livelihoods).

Funding Amount

Up to USD 50,000 per grant. Exceptional cases may exceed this amount. Community co-financing encouraged. (up to 50.000 €)

How to Apply

Apply through the national SGP Country Programme office in your country. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligibility requires a registered CBO or NGO with community mandate. Contact the relevant national SGP office for current funding windows and country-specific priorities.

Target Region

Global — all developing countries where UNDP-GEF SGP operates (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, Arab States, Europe and CIS)

Contact

https://sgp.undp.org/about-us-157/contact-us.html

Last Checked

2026-03-15 11:15

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a community-based organisation (CBO) or NGO with local mandate
• Organisation must be based in a developing country where SGP operates

Project Scope

• Project must address a GEF focal area (biodiversity, climate, waste, international waters, etc.)

Required Documents

• Apply through the national SGP Country Programme office in your country

Constraints

• Community participation and co-financing are typically expected
• Maximum grant is USD 50,000 per project

Summary

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) is implemented by UNDP on behalf of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and provides grants of up to USD 50,000 to community-based organisations and NGOs in developing countries. The programme has been operational for over 30 years and funds grassroots-level environmental projects across six focal areas: biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation, sustainable forest management, international waters, and chemicals and waste management. Thematic scope includes plastic waste reduction, community recycling programmes, waste picker livelihood support, sustainable waste management, and pollution control at the community level. Eligible activities include local conservation actions, community-based environmental projects, capacity development, demonstration projects, and policy engagement at community level. Geographic scope covers all developing countries where UNDP-GEF SGP has national programmes, spanning Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Arab States, and Europe and CIS. Eligible applicants are community-based organisations (CBOs) and local NGOs with demonstrated community participation and governance. Applications are made through national SGP Country Programme offices, and funding windows vary by country. Projects typically involve community co-financing and participatory approaches. The programme does not serve organisations in developed countries (e.g. Denmark or other EU member states).

Historical Context

The GEF Small Grants Programme has been operating for over 30 years and has funded thousands of community-based projects globally. Under GEF-5, SGP piloted chemicals and waste management activities including e-waste, mercury, and plastic pollution. Projects have included plastic-free lifestyle campaigns, waste recycling, and community-based waste management across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

Sources

• https://sgp.undp.org
• https://sgp.undp.org/areas-of-work-151/chemicals-172.html

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