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Promotion of projects against marine litter

Sustainable marine debris protection projects can apply to the German government for funding until January 7.


The German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) wants to counteract the effects of plastic waste in the oceans with the Marine Debris Framework - Regional hubs around the globe (Marine:DeFRAG) program. As part of the program against marine debris, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) is calling for the third time for submissions of projects that actively contribute to sustainable production, distribution and use of plastic products and thus to preventing the discharge of waste into oceans. Projects that ensure orderly waste management with environmentally sound disposal and recycling structures in countries of the global south are also eligible for funding through the program.
 
According to the ministry, it wants to use the program to promote waste prevention projects that start as early as possible in the value chain, for example in product design. In addition, it says, the short-term establishment of functioning waste and recycling management systems for waste that cannot be avoided. Central aspects of the funding are multiplicability, connectivity and the continuity of the selected approaches. The funding program supports projects on policy advice, capacity building, technology cooperation and investment, as well as the implementation of the respective institutional framework. In addition to riparian states of polluted rivers, the BMUV focuses on coastal regions and island states.
For the current funding round, the ministry intends to support projects from five priority areas. These include sustainable material alternatives, innovative product design and digitalization, the establishment and further development of reuse systems, measures to raise awareness and change behavior to prevent marine litter, as well as the establishment of a "circular economy" and (decentralized) waste management in rural regions and small island developing states.
 
According to the ministry, the call is aimed at commercial enterprises, universities and research institutions, German offshoots of international and multilateral organizations and institutions, implementing organizations of the German government and non-governmental organizations that have a registered office in Germany. However, German applicants can also collaborate with international partners in their projects, the ministry stresses. The BMUV is reportedly providing a total of around 25 million euros per year for the third round of Marine:DeFRAG funding. Project outlines can be submitted until January 7, 2023, to the responsible project management organization, Zukunft - Umwelt - Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH. After an initial review, the selected projects are to undergo a detailed application process.
 

Sources:

  • bmuv.de (Nov. 7, 2022)
  • euwid-recycling.de (Nov. 8, 2022)
  • Photo: Pixabay

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