Call 2025
On 20 January 2025, the Federal Environment Ministry launched the fourth funding call under the Grant Programme against Marine Litter.
The tender process has two steps: In the first selection step, interested parties can submit project outlines until 22 April 2025. In the second selection step, applicants of selected outlines are invited to submit a detailed project proposal.
What is funded?
The measures eligible for funding are defined in the funding guideline of the programme: These include in particular project approaches in the areas of sustainable production, circular design and circular solutions, integrated waste management systems, consulting and capacity exchange, waste information systems and social transformation. Click here for further information on the goals and allocation criteria of the funding programme.
What are the focus areas of the 2025 funding call?
For the 2025 call, there is a particular interest in funding projects for the prevention of marine debris with the following geographical and key focal priorities:
- Projects in Small Island Developing States, in particular with project activities on waste avoidance and reuse or multi-use systems
- Projects in countries with a pronounced need within the framework of the development of the global plastics treaty
- Projects in countries with an increased role model function, e.g. member states eligible for funding of the High Ambition Coalition to end plastic pollution
- Projects focusing on social sustainability, including the inclusion of the informal sector, gender equity, and collaboration with marginalized groups
The Federal Environment Ministry is also explicitly interested in funding project outlines that pursue other measures eligible for funding under the funding guideline. Pure removal measures – e.g. “Fishing for Litter” in rivers or coastal areas –, the thermal use of plastic waste and the recycling of other waste fractions are generally not eligible for funding.
Projects can plan a maximum project duration of four years. The possible funding volume per project is between EUR 1 million and EUR 6 million at the most.
Projects must be implemented in ODA-eligible countries. The founding of consortia with organisations from partner countries or regions is a precondition. All projects are expected to implement the ZUG Safeguards and the Complaint Mechanism of the grant programme. A decolonial project concept that counteracts discriminatory structures and corresponds to modern approaches of international cooperation is also expected, as well as noticeable stakeholder participation.
Who is eligible for funding?
A project outline can be submitted by federal implementing organisations, non-governmental organisations, commercial companies, universities and research institutions, German branches of international and multilateral organisations and establishments based in Germany. These must cooperate with implementing organisations in ODA countries and verify joint expertise in the following areas, for example: Project implementation in lower-income countries, product development, supply chain management, waste management and circular economy, social transformation and behavioural change, water and resource management or other project-relevant fields. Individuals are not eligible for funding. Furthermore, governments are not entitled to receive direct financing. In the case of commercial companies participating in the project, their profit-making motivation during the project period must not be the main focus.
What is the procedure for submitting outlines?
Outlines are submitted via the electronic form system Jira. Further details of the funding purpose as well as the funding preconditions, financial funding volume and procedure can be found on the website of the funding programme. Potential applicants are free to contact the project management agency Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH directly at marine-litter(at)z-u-g.org in case of any questions about the funding programme and the submission of outlines.
To the Jira online system
More information, downloads and links