The call for proposals targets in particular the following projects:
Projects should include measures to be implemented before plastic products become waste, either by ensuring a reduction in the amount of plastic usage, or to ensure that used plastics is fed into a circular system, thus not ending up as pollution. The project can either address part of the value chain or a whole value chain.
For this announcement we are looking for projects that include preventative measures that
- Reduce the quantity of plastic waste through, for example
- Avoiding unnecessary plastic usage
- Making plastic products superfluous by changing demand and behaviour
- Testing and implementing reuse models making single use plastic superfluous
- Substituting plastic with other low impact solutions
We are also looking for projects that include measures that contribute to the reduction of the negative impacts of plastic on the environment and human health by ensuring that plastic waste does not end up as pollution, through, for example
- Preventing plastic leakage by creating and improving value chains
- Ensuring effective extended producer responsibility for plastic products and packaging
- Creating safe new usage for used plastic products or parts of plastic products
What is meant by preventative measures?
Following the EUs definition, prevention is measures taken before a substance, material or product has become waste, that reduce:
- the quantity of waste, including through the re-use of products or the extension of the life span of products; (quantitative prevention)
- the adverse impacts of the generated waste on the environment and human health (qualitative prevention)
In this context we are not funding preventative measures such as awareness raising through information and education measures or campaigns.
Up to NOK 15 million is available in funding distributed between up to 10 projects.
- The project must contribute to meeting one or more of the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund’s main objectives.
- The main objective of the project must target the topic of the call.
- Applicants must have an organisation number and be registered with the Brønnøysund Register Centre or an equivalent international body.
- Applicants must submit an electronic application by the deadline.
- The duration of the project must not exceed three years.
- Applicants must provide realistic budgets and specify how the funds will be used.
- Applications must be written in Norwegian or English.
- Applicants must complete a self-declaration form and submit it as part of the application, if any of the following applies to their project:
- The amount applied for exceeds NOK 5 million
- The country is included on the EU Sanctions Map. Projects in countries on the EU/UN sanction list are not eligible for funding unless it can be documented by way of an extended self-declaration that the project funding will not, for example, go to sanctioned persons.
- The country is mentioned in the Norwegian government’s overview over sanctions and restrictive measures in force (‘Gjeldende sanksjoner og tiltak’).
- The country has a score of less than 40 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Particular requirements for Reduced plastic pollution
- If the applicant does not reside where the project is to be implemented, local presence of at least a project partner must be documented through an LOI or agreement.
- Projects should primarily be in low income countries, but can with a solid argumentation based on environmental impact be conducted elsewhere
- Knowledge based cleanup of plastic pollution can be part of the project in so far as it is not the main purpose of the project
- Private or public enterprises registered with the Brønnøysund Register Centre or an equivalent international body, such as NGOs, foundations, research communities and non-profit or voluntary organisations, can apply.
- Companies can apply together or separately, but one company must be the main responsible party.
- Larger organisations with local branches are encouraged to submit one joint application, if possible.
- Private individuals and organisations not registered with the Brønnøysund Register Centre, or an equivalent international body, cannot apply for funding.
- It is not possible to apply for funding for statutory duties that form part of an enterprise's ordinary operations.
- The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund does not fund operations costs. This means that we, for instance, support the development of solutions and technology, but not the actual operation of the solution once it has been developed.
Unlike previous announcements it is not possible to apply for support to projects where the main objective is to:
- Increase knowledge about plastic consumption and pollution
- Solely to perform clean-up activities
- Solely ensure waste management and recycling
Important dates
- June: launch of the call for projects and application form
- 11th of September 1 pm (CEST): Deadline for prequalification applications
- 26th of September: Successful applicants are invited to write a full application
- 23rd of October 1 pm (CEST): Deadline full application
- All applicants will receive a response by the 16th of December 2022
See projects we have previously awarded funding to here.
Assessment criteria
Applications for all topics under the calls will be assessed in relation to four assessment criteria, all of which are given equal weight.
- Solidity – Focuses on the quality of the proposed measures, activities and methods, and on how ambitious and innovative the proposed project is.
- Environmental impact – Potential impact and benefit of the proposed project. Dissemination and sharing of results and their utilisation.
- Implementation – The quality of the project's organisation, management and resource utilisation (including the qualifications of the project manager and project group).
- The objectives of the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund – To what extent the project helps to realise the objectives of the call for applications.
Application process
This year's call for applications is distributed over 6 topics. Applicants under the theme 'Volunteer clean-ups and preventive measures' need to submit one application. For the remaining five topics, the applicant must submit a prequalification application, and if accepted they are invited to submit a full application.
Procedure for processing of applications:
- The prequalification applications are reviewed by the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund’s administration.
- The applications will be reviewed according to four criteria, and the highest ranked applications will be invited to send in a full application.
- Full applications are then considered by the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund’s administration and an independent, external committee of experts.
- The final decision on which applications will be granted funding is made by the Fund's board of directors.
- Responses to applications will be received by Friday December 16th 2022.
- The exception to the above is for applications under the topic ‘Volunteer clean-ups and preventive measures’ which will only be reviewed by the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund’s administration.
- Responses to applications for applications under the topic ‘Volunteer clean-ups and preventive measures’ will be received during October 2022.
The application deadline is 13.00 (CEST) on Sunday September 11th 2022.
Important
Funding from the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund can be used as own funding in connection with applications submitted to other funding schemes.
The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund observes a strict declaration of impartiality and secrecy. Note that the information in the application can be shared confidentially with other financing actors (such as the Norwegian Centre against Marine Litter and Sparebankstiftelsen) in connection with application processing where this is relevant. This is to ensure good and effective reviews, as well as good use of funds.
Reporting
- You will be asked to submit a short status report before each project payment.
- If the project lasts for several years, an annual results report must be submitted annually.
- All recipients must submit a final results report after the end of the project.
- Reporting takes place digitally, and the grant recipient will be made aware of the requirements for reporting at the start-up meeting.
Accounting and auditing requirements
- A financial statement for the entire project period shall be prepared as part of the final reporting.
- For allocations over NOK 250,000, the accounts must be checked by an external auditor. Costs related to the use of an external auditor are incurred by the project and must be budgeted for.
- For multi-year projects with an allocation of more than NOK 500,000,a financial statement for each calendar year must be submitted as part of the annual report. Only the final financial statement is to be audited by an external auditor.
If an outcome of the funding is a report, the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund has the right to publish the report on our website.
These requirements and others will be presented at the start-up meeting, for funded projects.
In order to write a good application, it is important that you take the following into account when preparing your application:
- Be specific and answer the questions.
- Describe who will benefit from the project and how. Consider including the beneficiaries as a partner in the project so you can get input and make the product/project relevant.
- Reflect on the possible negative impacts of the project and the risks the project or solution may entail. How will you avoid negative consequences?
- How will your project and solution help us achieve the purpose of the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund?
- Have a clear goal with a clear plan to reach the outlined goals.
- Define success criteria.
- Describe what is needed for your project to have a positive environmental effect, including the path between the end of your project and the actual environmental effect (implementation).
- Explain why you are the right actor to get funds to carry out the project.
- If you are going to develop a solution, product or business idea, you should have a compelling strategy and business plan.
- You should have an understanding of the problem and what is required to solve the problem. Keep in mind that the reader has good knowledge of the plastic problem so save space in the application to describe your project, and what it will solve.
- Get relevant partners, and no one else.
- Project partners and funding should be clarified.
- You should have a realistic and clear budget.
- If you are applying for the continuation of an existing project, it is absolutely necessary that you describe how far the project has come so far, and what you are applying for funding for next.
- Create a user account in the portal early on and make sure you are able to log in and access the application form.
- Start by filling in the form well in advance of the deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to submit!
Do you have questions?
Feel free to contact us at post@handelensmiljofond.no !
Please indicate clearly which topics under the call your enquiry concerns ie. “Reducing plastic pollution”.