ZUG gGmbH Grant Programme against Marine Litter

Enriched government_de · Found: 2026-03-10 19:17

Förderprogramm zur Verhinderung des Eintrags von Plastikmüll in die Ozeane. Zusammenarbeit mit GIZ. Fokus auf Kreislaufwirtschaftsansätze. Regelmäßige Förderaufrufe.

Source: https://z-u-g.org/en/marine-litter

Funding Details

Funder

Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH

Funding Goal

Prevention of plastic waste entering the oceans. Supports projects in ODA-eligible countries covering sustainable production, circular design and circular solutions, integrated waste management systems, consulting and capacity exchange, waste information systems, and social transformation. Projects must prevent marine litter rather than simply remove it (pure removal measures not funded). Focus on developing lasting, systemic solutions that address plastic pollution at source.

Funding Amount

Between EUR 1 million and EUR 6 million per project; projects may receive full grant funding (no explicit co-funding requirement stated). (1.000.000 € – 6.000.000 €)

Deadline

Periodic, typically every 2-3 years (calls in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025); 2025 call is closed; next call date not yet announced (periodic)

How to Apply

Project outlines are submitted via the Jira electronic form system (https://jira.z-u-g.org/servicedesk/customer/portal/31). Applicants can contact the programme directly at marine-litter@z-u-g.org. Two-stage process: outline submission first, then full project proposal for selected applicants.

Target Region

ODA-eligible countries globally. The 2025 call had particular interest in Small Island Developing States, countries with pronounced need in the context of the global plastics treaty, countries with increased role model function (e.g. High Ambition Coalition members), and projects focused on social sustainability including the informal sector.

Contact

marine-litter@z-u-g.org

Last Checked

2026-05-07 06:24

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Organisation must be legally registered in Germany (NGO, company, university, research institution, or German branch of international org)
• Consortium formation with at least one in-country implementing partner is mandatory
• Commercial company participants must not have profit-making as primary motivation during the project period

Project Scope

• Project must be implemented in an ODA-eligible country
• Project must prevent marine litter entry — pure removal measures (e.g. fishing for litter) are NOT eligible
• Decolonial project concept and noticeable stakeholder participation are required

Required Documents

• Must adhere to ZUG Safeguards and the Independent Complaint Mechanism

Constraints

• Thermal use of plastic waste and recycling of non-plastic waste fractions are generally not eligible
• Maximum project duration is four years
• Funding range: EUR 1 million to EUR 6 million per project

Summary

The ZUG Grant Programme against Marine Litter is a German Federal Government-funded programme administered by Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH on behalf of the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUV). Its overarching objective is to prevent plastic waste from entering the oceans by funding systemic interventions in ODA-eligible countries. The programme targets upstream and circular-economy solutions rather than downstream removal or remediation. Thematic priorities include sustainable production practices, circular product design, circular solutions for plastic use, integrated waste management systems, consulting and capacity exchange between countries, waste information systems, and social transformation initiatives. The 2025 call placed particular emphasis on Small Island Developing States, countries engaged with the global plastics treaty, High Ambition Coalition members with a role-model function, and projects that promote social sustainability including integration of the informal sector, gender equity, and collaboration with marginalised groups. Pure removal measures (e.g. fishing for litter) and thermal disposal of plastics are not eligible. Eligible activities include end-to-end projects covering waste avoidance, reuse/multi-use systems, recycling infrastructure, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. Projects must be implemented in ODA-eligible countries and form consortia with in-country implementing partners. Maximum project duration is four years, with funding between EUR 1 million and EUR 6 million per project. Eligible applicants are organisations legally established in Germany: NGOs, federal implementing organisations, universities, research institutions, commercial companies (non-profit-motivated during project), and German branches of international/multilateral organisations. Consortia with in-country partners from ODA countries are mandatory. Individuals and governments are not eligible for direct funding. The programme has operated since at least 2020 with periodic calls (2020, 2021, 2022, 2025). The 2025 call is now closed; no next call date has been announced. The application process involves submitting a project outline via an online Jira portal, followed by a full proposal stage for shortlisted applicants. ZUG Safeguards and an Independent Complaint Mechanism must be adhered to. A decolonial project approach and genuine stakeholder participation are required.

Historical Context

The programme has run periodic funding calls since at least 2020: Call 2020, Call 2021, Call 2022, and Call 2025. All previous calls are now closed. The 2025 call specifically prioritised Small Island Developing States, countries engaged in the global plastics treaty process, and projects with strong social sustainability components. The programme is implemented by ZUG on behalf of the German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUV), in collaboration with GIZ.

Why it was added

round5-q6-marine-litter-de: ZUG Grant Programme Marine Litter

Sources

• https://z-u-g.org/en/marine-litter
• https://z-u-g.org/en/marine-litter/funding-call/
• https://z-u-g.org/en/marine-litter/call-2025/

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