Funding Program Against Marine Litter

The nationwide funding program against marine litter, initiated by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), supports innovative projects that prevent the entry of waste into the seas and establish sustainable waste and circular economy systems. The program promotes initiatives that develop regulatory, technological, and organizational concepts to avoid marine litter in the long term. Transformative and forward-looking approaches in the fields of environmental and nature conservation, energy efficiency, and climate protection are taken into account. Project sponsors such as universities, research institutions, public bodies, and companies can benefit from grants ranging from €3,000,000 to €6,000,000 per project. The funding is intended to help build effective waste management systems and strengthen social as well as institutional capacities, especially in ODA-eligible partner countries.

The program is aimed at applicants with an establishment or branch in Germany whose measures are precisely tailored to the needs of the partner countries. A central element of the call is the comprehensive involvement of local implementing partners to establish sustainable structures on site. Projects are funded that not only develop innovative waste management and circular economy systems but also present concepts for measuring the reduced amounts of marine litter. Criteria such as the project's level of innovation, the sustainability of the measures, and the direct relevance to the needs of the target regions are evaluated to ensure effective and long-term oriented approaches.

The funding procedure is structured in two stages, beginning with the submission of a project outline via the electronic application system, followed by a formal application upon positive evaluation. This structured approach is intended to ensure that only projects with a high likelihood of success and sustainable benefits are supported. The program not only promotes a significant contribution to the protection of marine ecosystems but also helps address global challenges such as plastic pollution and climate change. Through this approach, the preservation of marine habitats is supported while simultaneously encouraging international cooperation among various stakeholders, laying the foundation for sustainable environmental policy.