Opportunity Information: Apply for SFOP0007028
Building Capacity for Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Waste in West Africa to Reduce Ocean Pollution is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity (Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs) designed to help municipalities in West Africa strengthen how they handle plastic waste in ways that are environmentally sound and aligned with broader ocean pollution prevention goals. The central idea is practical capacity building at the local government level, paired with efforts that spark innovation across the plastic supply chain, so that fewer plastics escape formal collection and disposal systems and end up in waterways and the ocean.
The award is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, which typically means the funder expects to be more actively involved than in a standard grant, such as collaborating on planning, monitoring, coordination, or technical direction as the project moves forward. The funding is categorized under environmental programming (CFDA 19.017). The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $179,725, indicating a relatively focused, pilot-scale project intended to demonstrate workable approaches, build replicable tools, or catalyze follow-on action rather than fund large infrastructure buildouts.
Programmatically, the opportunity emphasizes two connected outcomes. First, it aims to improve municipal capabilities to manage plastic waste responsibly, which can include strengthening collection and sorting systems, improving operational practices, building staff skills, and supporting local planning and oversight that reduces unmanaged waste. Second, it encourages innovation along the plastic supply chain, a phrase that generally points to solutions that reduce waste generation upstream and improve recovery downstream, such as better product and packaging choices, improved collection incentives, partnerships with recyclers, and approaches that make it easier for plastics to stay within a managed system instead of leaking into the environment.
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the original solicitation, suggesting the program may have been open to a range of organizations beyond traditional government applicants, potentially including NGOs, academic institutions, nonprofit implementers, or other qualified entities working in partnership with municipalities. The opportunity was created June 2, 2020, with an original closing date of July 31, 2020, and it sits within the State Department's portfolio that connects environmental protection with international cooperation, with a clear emphasis on reducing ocean plastic pollution by improving on-the-ground waste management performance in West African communities.Apply for SFOP0007028
- The Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific in the environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building Capacity for Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Waste in West Africa to Reduce Ocean Pollution" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.017.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 02, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $179,725.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Building Capacity for Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Waste in West Africa to Reduce Ocean Pollution."
Which U.S. government agency is offering this award?
This is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity, offered through the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.
What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to reduce ocean plastic pollution by helping municipalities in West Africa strengthen environmentally sound plastic waste management, paired with efforts that spark innovation across the plastic supply chain so fewer plastics leak into waterways and the ocean.
Who is the program intended to help or work with?
The program is designed to support municipalities in West Africa, with a focus on practical capacity building at the local government level. The eligibility category is listed as "Others," indicating applicants could be organizations positioned to implement work with or alongside municipalities.
What type of award is being offered?
The award is a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply for how the project will be managed?
A cooperative agreement typically means the funder expects to be more actively involved than under a standard grant. Based on the information provided, that involvement may include collaboration on planning, monitoring, coordination, and/or technical direction during implementation.
What is the CFDA number and program area for this opportunity?
The funding is categorized under environmental programming with CFDA 19.017.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated a single award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $179,725.
Is this funding meant for large infrastructure projects?
The information provided describes the ceiling as relatively focused and "pilot-scale," intended to demonstrate workable approaches, build replicable tools, or catalyze follow-on action rather than fund large infrastructure buildouts.
What are the primary outcomes the program is trying to achieve?
The opportunity emphasizes two connected outcomes: (1) improving municipal capabilities to manage plastic waste responsibly, and (2) encouraging innovation along the plastic supply chain to prevent plastic leakage into the environment.
What kinds of activities could fall under improving municipal plastic waste management capacity?
Examples mentioned include strengthening collection and sorting systems, improving operational practices, building staff skills, and supporting local planning and oversight to reduce unmanaged waste.
What does "innovation along the plastic supply chain" mean in this context?
It refers to solutions that reduce waste generation upstream and improve recovery downstream, such as better product and packaging choices, improved collection incentives, partnerships with recyclers, and approaches that make it easier for plastics to remain within a managed system instead of leaking into the environment.
How does this opportunity connect plastic waste management to ocean pollution prevention?
The program is built around the idea that improving formal collection, sorting, and disposal (and reducing unmanaged waste) in West African communities helps prevent plastics from entering waterways and ultimately reaching the ocean.
Where is the geographic focus of the work?
The geographic focus is West Africa.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," and additional eligibility details were referenced as being in the original solicitation. Based on the description provided, the eligible pool may have included a range of organizations beyond traditional government applicants, potentially including NGOs, academic institutions, nonprofit implementers, or other qualified entities working in partnership with municipalities.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 2, 2020.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was July 31, 2020.
How does this opportunity fit within the Department of State's broader work?
It sits within the State Department portfolio that links environmental protection with international cooperation, with a specific emphasis on reducing ocean plastic pollution through improved on-the-ground waste management in West African communities.
What is the central approach of the program?
The central idea is practical capacity building at the municipal level combined with efforts to spur innovation across the plastic supply chain, with the aim of reducing plastic leakage from formal systems into the environment.
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