USAID’s Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Program Calls for Grant Applications

"Hoi An waste operative." By paulmorj CC BY 2.0

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is USAID’s flagship program addressing ocean plastic pollution. The five-year program (2019-2024) works across Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean–currently in the Dominican Republic, Maldives, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam–to identify, test, and scale locally-driven solutions to promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), enhance solid waste management systems, and ultimately reduce ocean plastics for healthier cities and seas.

CCBO strongly believes in the power of locally-led, customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each of its communities. To develop and implement these solutions, CCBO’s Grants Program partners with local grantees to combat the growing challenges presented by global ocean plastic. 

The program is currently working to mobilize its grants program across its focal countries and seeking partners with that are ready to pilot new, innovative approaches or scale trusted and true, proven approaches to new locations. CCBO is currently accepting Concept Notes from potential grantee partners that are interested in and qualified to implement locally-led solutions that support the program’s objectives in the Maldives, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Opportunities in the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Peru are expected to be announced in the coming months.

 What Topics are Qualified?

CCBO is seeking grants that promote 3R practices (reducing, reusing, and recycling) and enhance solid waste management, ultimately reducing ocean plastics pollution. CCBO seeks grants that will:

  • Strengthen collection and aggregation capacity of waste and recyclables
  • Raise awareness of and support waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
  • Build collection action through partnerships with measurable, lasting impacts
  • Empower women, youth, independent waste collectors and handlers, and other underrepresented groups

Who Can Apply?

Eligible grantees may include non-governmental, civil society, and community-based organizations; private foundations and universities; research institutions; business associations; and private companies. (Please review the specific Annual Program Statements for full eligibility criteria).

Guidelines and Deadline to Apply

Full guidelines and instructions for applications can be found in the Annual Program Statements for each country and at www.urban-links.org/ccbo-grants. 

The Annual Program Statements will be open into 2021 (one year from dates of release) with multiple submission windows.

For more information about the Clean Cities, Blue Ocean program, please visit  www.urban-links.org/ccbo.