LocationsEU-Philippines Partnership Opens Funding for Circular Economy Solutions in 10 Cities
June 3, 2026
Participants of the government, civil society organizations, cooperatives, academe, social enterprises, start-ups, MSMEs, and private sector innovators during the 2026 Circular Solutions CSO Grants and Innovation Challenge Launch
PASIG, Philippines—The European Union and the Philippines (EU-PH) launched the 2026 Circular Solutions CSO Grants and Innovation Challenge to support local circular economy solutions in 10 partner cities under the EU-PHGreen Economy Partnership Specific Objective 2: Green Local Government Units (LGUs).
The launch builds on the first wave of circular economy initiatives supported by the partnership in 2025, including civil society organizations and innovators that are now piloting practical solutions with the first batch of partner cities.
Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to the Philippines during his opening remarks.
"The Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved through public financing alone. We must also work with innovators and the private sector at the local level," said Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of development support such as the Global Gateway platform, as essential in supporting local actors in advancing a circular economy in the Philippines while achieving the SDGs. "We would be extremely limiting ourselves in our global ambition if we didn't ask people from the local level about the solutions. This is why I think this innovation challenge is so important,” Gemmer added.
The 2026 call will support proposals from civil society organizations, cooperatives, academe, social enterprises, start-ups, MSMEs, and private sector innovators working on plastic and organic circularity, and green tourism in the cities of Bacoor, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Ilagan, Isabela, Koronadal, Maasin, San Carlos, San Jose del Monte, and Sorsogon.
In each city, CSO Grants of up to USD 100,000 to support community action, GEDSI empowerment, informal sector inclusion, and circular behavior change; and Innovation Challenge of up to USD 40,000 for scalable circular economy solutions led by businesses, innovators, and other eligible partners can be accessed.
Assistant Secretary Lilian de Leon of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
The event brought together representatives from national government agencies, local government units, civil society, academe, the private sector, innovators, and development partner, reflecting the collaborative nature of the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership.
“These challenges underscore the urgency of collective action. Through [the partnership], we are demonstrating that meaningful solutions are possible when governments, community, civil society, innovators, and development partners work together,”said Atty. Jonas Leones, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in a recorded video message.
UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines Christophe Bahuet during the launch ceremony.
Highlighting the value of collaboration across sectors and levels of governance: “The philosophy of the [EU-PH] Green Economy Partnership... can [be] summarized with one very powerful formula: global partnership, local impact... kapag pinagsama ang pandaigdigang suporta, ang lokal na pamumuno, mas nagiging malawak at kapaki-pakinabang ang benepisyo para sa mgakomunidad, [When global partnerships are matched by strong local leadership, communities are able to realize broader, more inclusive, and more meaningful benefits.]” said UNDP Resident Representative in the Philippines Christophe Bahuet.
With the launch of the two funding mechanisms under the 2026 Circular Solutions umbrella: CSO Grants and Innovation Challenge, partner cities and municipalities are given space to collaborate with non-government and private actors in advancing inclusive, locally led circular economy transitions, particularly to accelerate practical solutions that reduce waste, strengthen livelihoods, and build more resilient communities.
Interested applicants are encouraged to develop proposals that respond to actual city priorities, demonstrate clear community or market demand, and show how circular economy solutions can reduce waste while creating inclusive economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Representatives of the 10 new partner cities together with the heads of delegation of the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership.
ABOUT THE EU-PH GREEN ECONOMY PARTNERSHIP
Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership will run from 2023-2028 in collaboration with the government of the Philippines, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This priority programme of the European Union in the Philippines links European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local governments to foster a circular economy and the reduction of plastic waste. It also aims to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy use and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through technology transfers and investments, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth that benefits all Filipinos.
The EU-PH Green Economy Partnership is co-funded by Germany's Ministry for the Environment, and implemented by Germany's development agency GIZ, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute, and the International Finance Corporation - a member of the World Bank Group. The EU-PH Green Economy Partnership is part of EU’s Global Gateway initiative - the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy and the advancement of digital infrastructure, among others.
Specific Objective 2 (Green LGUs) is a key component of the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership that supports cities and municipalities in advancing inclusive, locally led circular economy (CE) transitions. Co-led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and implemented by UNDP Philippines, the project empowers local actors to co-create circular solutions that reduce waste, regenerate ecosystems, and improve everyday systems through sustainable, community-rooted practices. It works to strengthen capacities, develop enabling policies, and unlock support across sectors—including local governments, civil society, the private sector, and marginalized groups—ensuring that circularity becomes not only practical, but part of the norm.
Related
content
content
