Introduction to the PLEASE Project
Funded by the World Bank and Parley for the Oceans, and implemented by South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP),
with the support of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the project development objective of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project is to catalyze actions that reduce the flow of plastic pollution into South Asian Seas.
This website contains information for Regional Block Grants and Innovation Grant.
For more information about the PLEASE Project, visit the PLEASE Project Knowledge Management website.
A summary of activities is provided as follows:
Supporting Competitive Block Grant Investments to Reduce Plastic Waste
> Supporting circular plastic economy solutions to reduce plastic waste by implementing a program of regional competitive block grant investments, providing Regional Competitive Block Grants (“RBGs”) to eligible organizations in South Asia (“Eligible RBG Beneficiaries”).
> Facilitating exchange of circular plastic economy knowledge between Eligible RBG Beneficiaries and selected South Asian countries and promoting awareness raising activities.
Leveraging Public and Private Sector Engagement and Solutions
> Supporting development of strategies, action plans, policies, and standards to harmonize plastic pollution mitigation measures through: (a) developing and implementing a multi-year plastic policy support program, working with leading universities and organizations; (b) developing a database for lifecycle analysis, data collection, and modelling related to plastic across selected industry value chains; and (c) supporting communication activities.
> Supporting circular use of plastic in the economy through regional public private collaboration and engagement in South Asia, including designing and organizing annual or more frequent meetings of representatives from public and private sectors.
Strengthening Regional Integration Institutions
> Carrying out works to support construction of SACEP’s new headquarters and providing technical assistance to, and building capacity of, SACEP to discharge its functions, including coordination with relevant regional organizations and uniform collection, analysis, and interpretation of pollution data.
> Supporting the development of a fund for the sustainability of existing activities and accelerating circular plastic economy solutions (“Sustainability Fund”).
Innovation Grant to Reduce Plastic Waste
Funded by the World Bank International Development Association - IDA.
Call for proposals for this grant is now closed
Eligibility: Innovation Grant to Reduce Plastic Waste was awarded for innovative approaches from community-based organizations, social enterprises, private sector and academic institutions registered in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka geared towards reducing plastic pollution in South Asia's rivers and seas. Priority given to female-led entities. Grantees that have received RBG funding from the PLEASE project are NOT eligible to apply.
Grant Amount*: Up to USD 120,000 for each proposal
* The final award decision is subject to the donor approval
Please find the detailed call for proposals in this link, describing the important requirements and criteria for the submission of the proposals.
All proposals were required to be submitted through the Grant Management System Applicant portal. Watch this video to understand how to navigate through the GMS portal for a successful application submission.
Supporting Documents
1. Criteria
2. ESMP for Innovation Grant
3. Proposal Template
For more information on the goals the PLEASE Project is looking to achieve through these grants please refer to the Project Operating Manual in the “Project Guidelines” section.
To receive email updates on the grants process such as deadline reminders or notifications of the opening of a call for Project Proposals please register your contact information with us by completing this form
Regional Block Grants to Reduce Plastic Waste
The call for proposals for this grant is now closed. The PLEASE Project accepted project proposals that promised to result in a meaningful and recurrent reduction in plastic waste that otherwise would have accumulated in South Asia’s rivers and seas.
Grant Amount*: Up to USD 1.5M. for each proposal; two grants are expected to be awarded
* The final award decision is subject to the donor approval
Please find the detailed call for proposals in this link, describing the important requirements and criteria for the submission of the proposals.
All proposals are required to be submitted through the Grant Management System Applicant portal. Watch this video to understand how to navigate through the GMS portal for a successful application submission.
Supporting Documents
1. Criteria
2. ESMP for Block Grant
3. Proposal Template
For more information on the goals the PLEASE Project is looking to achieve through these grants please refer to the Project Operating Manual in the “Project Guidelines” section.
To receive email updates on the grants process such as deadline reminders or notifications of the opening of a call for Project Proposals please register your contact information with us by completing this form
Parley AIR
All applications must be rooted in Parley AIR thematic categories:
> Avoid plastic wherever possible and replace it with alternative, eco-innovative materials.
> Opt for minimal or no packaging and refuse single-use plastics (e.g. bags, bottles, utensils, straws, lids).
> Plan ahead. Carry reusable alternatives.
> Talk about it. Educate and empower your friends and family to adopt a plastic-conscious mentality.
> Inform yourself on local recycling and composting
> Support businesses that support the oceans – look for recycling and upcycling initiatives, plastic alternatives, waste reduction policies, etc.
> Participate in a beach cleanup (or lake, river, park cleanup). It’s one thing to talk about the problem and another to confront it head on.
> Speak up. If you come across a major pollution source or plastic waste emergency, let Parley know
> To solve plastic for good, we must reinvent the material, methods and thinking behind it. Get creative. We have imaginations for a reason.
> Question both the reason-to-be and end-of-life for every item you use.
> Support the use of eco-innovative materials and alternatives to plastic
> Support/implement policies that prevent unnecessary plastics (like microbeads and plastic bags).
Timeline
| Event | Bangladesh | Maldives | Nepal | Pakistan | Bhutan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal Submission | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| Appraisal and Final Decision | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| Grant Awarded | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
Except for the due date of concept note submission, the dates provided below are only indicative and will be updated if necessary. It is provided here for the applicants' understanding of the overall contracting process. The updated timeline for Nepal will be published soon. Watch this space.
| Event | Bangladesh | Maldives | Nepal | Pakistan | Bhutan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch of Call for Proposals | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| Full proposal submission | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| Appraisal and final decision | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
| Grant agreement negotiation | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed | Completed |
Questions
Please complete this form if you have any questions regarding the grant proposals for Regional Block Grants (Sri Lanka), and the Innovation Grants (Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka)
As questions come in, we will aim to respond to them publicly in the section below
Please find FAQs and responses to previously submitted questions here.
General Information
Ongoing activities for Regional Block Grants
Nepal - Entering final stage of selection
Pakistan - Entering final stage of selection
Bhutan - Entering final stage of selection
Maldives - Selection Finalized
Bangladesh - Selection Finalized
Sri Lanka - Ongoing Evaluation
Grant Support Agreement
Click here to access the Grant Support Agreement which is an essential tool for gaining a comprehensive overview of the PLEASE Project grant frameworks.
Information Session
Partners
The World Bank is providing funding for the PLEASE Project
Parley for the Ocean is providing funding and technical advice for the PLEASE Project
UNOPS Sri Lanka is providing technical support for the Project Implementation Unit
Grievance Mechanism
Managed by the Project Implementation Unit, the PLEASE Project is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding any instances of misconduct. Please complete this form to log a complaint related to the PLEASE Project.