EU announces 2 grant facilities to back PH’s green transition

EU flag (File photo: Guillaume Périgois/Unsplash)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The European Union (EU) is funding two new grants to support green transition in the Philippines, its mission in Manila announced Tuesday.

In a statement, it said the “Community Grants” and the “Circular Economy Education and Behavioral Change Grants” will support initiatives in 10 partner local government units (LGUs) across the Philippines, with an aim to reduce waste, promote inclusion, and raise environmental education.

The bloc said it would accept proposals from eligible groups until May 5.

The current grants would be implemented in Baguio City, Caloocan City, Davao City, municipality of Del Carmen in Siargao, Iloilo City, Pasig City, Puerto Princesa City, Ormoc City, Quezon City, and Island Garden City of Samal.

A maximum of USD80,000 for the Community Grant and a maximum of USD30,000 for the Circular Economy Education and Behavioral Grant is allocated for one civil society organization (CSO) per local government unit.

“We recognize the immense potential of these grants in building resilient communities and promoting effective local actions to turn waste into valuable resources. Grassroots initiatives driven by communities within the cities, towns, and barangays across the Philippines are vital in making this vision a reality,” Ileana Miritescu, Programme Manager, said at the EU Delegation to the Philippines.

The Community Grants aim to help CSOs build the institutional capacities of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) groups to lead activities focused on circularity for plastics, organics, and the tourism sector.

The other grant facility, on the other hand, seeks to improve awareness and change the attitude of targeted stakeholders around circular economy principles and practices.

The grants are part of the EU’s broader partnership with the Philippine government and is led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Interested CSOs may visit the UNDP website and submit their proposals via email to eu.gepp@undp.org.

Successful grantees will be announced in August this year.