The Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) Annual Program Statement for Vietnam seeks Concept Papers from organizations that are interested and qualified to implement local grants that support the program’s objectives to reduce ocean plastics pollution. Grants will be awarded to select organizations to implement effective, locally-led solutions and approaches to combat ocean plastics pollution directly at their source.

To be effective, 3R/SWM solutions must be grounded in local contexts and systems and must be implemented in close collaboration with national and local government to build a long-term enabling environment that amplifies impact and ensures sustainability beyond the life of the CCBO program.

Objectives

CCBO is a five-year project, targeting ocean plastics pollution directly at their source in cities and towns, specifically in rapidly urbanizing areas throughout low- and middle-income countries. CCBO is working to strengthen the capacity of cities and towns to improve waste management practices through innovative and evidence-based reuse and recycling strategies and establish enhanced local and regional markets for recycled plastic. CCBO seeks to:

• Promote 3Rs and strengthen local and regional markets for recycled plastic;
• Build social behavior change for 3Rs and sustainable waste management;
• Increase capacity and effective governance of SWM and recycling systems; and
• Support for international fora, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and multi-stakeholder alliances

Funding Information

• CCBO anticipates awarding multiple grants from this solicitation. The number of awards is dependent upon the number of meritorious applications received, available funding, and CCBO’s technical priorities. Awards are expected to range from $50,000 to $250,000 based on the technical approach proposed. Depending on the availability of funds, number of awards, and technical approach, CCBO may work with selected organizations to increase or decrease their overall budget. In accordance with Automated Directives System (ADS) 302.3.4.13, grants to U.S.-based organizations are limited to $100,000.
• The applicant shall specify the period of performance for the project being proposed. It is anticipated that the duration of the grants will be 12 to 24 months but may be longer or shorter depending on the technical scope of work. Depending on the scope of work proposed, CCBO may work with the applicant to develop a performance-based or multi-phased grant in which a successful grantee must complete Phase 1 prior to being considered for Phase 2 funding.
• It is anticipated that grant implementation will begin in September 2020 for those Concept Papers received before the first review deadline (June 5, 2020), provided a Full Application is reviewed and approved by CCBO and USAID. All subsequent awards are expected to begin between 2-3 months after the submission and successful acceptance of the Concept Paper and Full Application. While committed to advancing program objectives, CCBO will continue to maintain flexibility and ongoing communication with applying organizations to responsibly respond to the coronavirus outbreak and the potential impacts on program timing.

Geographic Focus

In Vietnam, CCBO has developed a short-list of initial “pilot” engagement sites, considering criteria including: alignment with USAID Mission’s priorities and focus regions/municipalities; risk to health, economic development, and ecosystems; demonstrated political buy-in; potential to reduce marine plastics pollution; demonstrated private sector interest and investment opportunities; potential to leverage prior or existing efforts, including those of previous/ongoing USAID investments; presence of under-represented groups.

Using these criteria, CCBO plans to establish up to four pilot sites in Vietnam in its first year, as well as engage at the national level through targeted grants and technical assistance. Activities, learnings, and successful interventions in pilot sites may be scaled to additional sites in subsequent years. CCBO’s approach will be designed to secure early wins at the selected sites. Preferred sites for Year One and justifications for their being short-listed include:

• Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam, with a population of just over one hundred thousand and a burgeoning tourist sector. Phu Quoc’s location and characteristics, including established momentum toward engaging in 3R and SWM initiatives, make the area a prime location for CCBO to scale and further expand existing recycling efforts and engage the private sector in long-term solutions.
• Da Nang is a coastal city that produces over 1,000 tons of waste/day. Costs of waste include collection, transportation, labor, treatment, and disposal, which the city is keen to reduce while improving its SWM practices and infrastructure. Da Nang presents the opportunity for CCBO to work in a growing mid-sized urban setting that needs to address the vertical integration of SWM and recycling services through investment, technological innovations, and “green” development.
• Bien Hoa is located twenty miles northeast of Ho Chi Minh City on the left bank of the Dong Nai River, near the Mekong River Delta. It is an important and rapidly growing industrial and commercial area that could benefit from the development of SWM and recycling infrastructure. In addition, the industrial core produces and consumes significant plastic volumes.
• Hue City, located on the Central Coast of Vietnam, carries historical significance and remains a popular area for tourism. As one of the larger urbanized areas in Vietnam, Hue offers CCBO the opportunity to provide greater capacity building, the chance to optimize Independent Waste Collector (IWC) collection efforts and interim aggregation points in addition to matching private sector donors with disposal site mitigation activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants include:
  • Non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, private foundations and universities, research institutions, business associations, and private companies (profit/fee may not be charged to a grant);
  • Non-US organizations;
  • US organizations (limited to $100,000 budget);
  • Organizations that have previously received a USAID grant;
  • Organizations that have never received a USAID award before; and
  • Organizations that are working or are able to work in the one or more of the pilot sites.
• Eligible applicants must demonstrate the following:
  • Be legally registered to operate in Vietnam;
  • Be in good standing with all civil and fiscal authorities in Vietnam;
  • Be willing to sign applicable assurances and certifications if invited to submit a Full Application; and
  • Be willing to register with a DUNS number if invited to submit a Full Application

For more information, visit CCBO.