Panama - Accelerating actions to improve organic waste management and reduce methane emissions - PA-24-003

Overview

This project responds to a request by the Ministry of Health (MINSA, by acronym in Spanish), the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture Development, and Panama's Urban and Domiciliary Cleaning Authority to accelerate actions to improve organic waste management and reduce methane emissions. This project should align with and help advance the implementation of Panama’s:

• Law on Integrated Waste Management (2018)
• Zero Waste Policy (2018)
• Nationally Determined Climate Commitments (NDCs, 2020)
• Roadmap for Circular Economy (2024)
• Low Carbon Economic and Social Development Strategy of the Republic of Panama to 2050 (being prepared)

The outputs of this project should:

• Accelerate the implementation of transformative actions for organic waste management (recovery of organic waste, production of biofertilizer and energy, savings by avoiding waste, redistribution of food that otherwise would be discarded to people in need.)
• Promote dialogue among the financial sector, national & local governments, and private sector to develop financial mechanisms to boost organic waste initiatives as a tool to achieve the NDC's goals for waste, and in support of the national circular economy plan.
• Enhance transfer of knowledge and dissemination of results taking advantage of CCAC Waste Hub and other international venues.

The project should build on the findings of Panama’s National SLCP Plan, and Methane Roadmap funded by the CCAC. More information on Panama’s efforts to address short-lived climate pollutants is available on its Partner Page.

Expected Results

Outcome 1. The Government of Panama has increased knowledge on opportunities and options for organic waste diversion including their positive impacts by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

Output 1.1 Pre-feasibility studies for organic waste treatment options conducted in Panama City, including:

Output 1.2 Estimates of decentralized infrastructure supporting diverted organic waste, such as materials separation and recovery centers, black soldier fly infrastructure, and compositing plants  

Output 1.3 Recommendations for alternative/complementary infrastructure to support organic waste diversion and circular economies.

Output 1.4: A report identifying necessary infrastructure and investment to support organic waste management (recovery of organic waste, production of biofertilizer and energy, savings by avoiding waste, redistribution of food that otherwise would be discarded to people in need.)

Outcome 2. The Government of Panama endorses project proposals/ initiatives for organic waste management using MERCA market as a pilot for submission to public and private funding sources by the end of the project.

Output 2.1 Identification of at least 5-7 appropriate projects/initiatives with business potential in integral organic waste management supported by the public and private sector based on the findings of output 1.3. The identification should be based on an assessment of:

• Project name  
• Sector 
• Description  
• Outcomes  
• Implementing entities  
• Stakeholders  
• Link to policies, plans 
• General timeline for Development, Financing,  
• Implementation, and  
• Operation  
• Mitigation potential  
• Co-benefits  
• Investment needs  
• Potential business model, financing strategy
• Gaps and barriers to implementation and proposed enabling mechanisms
• Financial sustainability  
• Potential financing partners  
• Enabling, Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Needs  
• Information and MRV Needs  
• Recovery of nutritious food waste  

Output 2.2. Stakeholders convened and engaged on selection of at least 3 projects/ initiatives to identify financial opportunitiopportunities.3. Design a plan to support three selected projects in coordination with public and private institutions. This plan should include the identifications for financial opportunities.

Output 2.3. Workshop delivered to key stakeholders, from the financial sector, local and national governments, private sector to identify ways to make financial instruments available to finance organic waste management projects.  

Outcome 3. A draft roadmap designed based on the findings of the workshop to put financial instruments in place by the financial sector.

Indicator: Number of roadmaps drafted with a resource mobilization plan to implement organic waste management projects  

Output 3.1: Evaluation and analysis of policies to mitigate Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) from organic waste and prioritize actions for their implementation in the short, medium, and long term.

• Evaluation of potential measures and policies to mitigate SLCPs from organic waste.
• Prioritization of policy actions based on speed and impact, for immediate and long-term implementation, taking into account the following:
• Short- and long-term priorities based on speed, impact.
• Recommended policy interventions
• Estimated cost.
• Responsible parties
• Progress indicators and monitoring approaches
• Development of a resource mobilisation plan identifying possible international and national funding sources to effectively implement the national organic waste management strategy.
• Short- and long-term priorities based on speed, impact.
• Recommended policy interventions
• Estimated cost.
• Responsible parties
• Progress indicators and monitoring approaches
• Development of a resource mobilisation plan identifying possible international and national funding sources to effectively implement the national organic waste management strategy
• Output 3.2: Draft roadmap for financial instruments in organic waste management
• Identification and assessment of financial instruments
• Development of a draft roadmap that suits the specific needs and characteristics of the organic waste projects identified for Panama, ensuring that they address key challenges, findings and opportunities identified during the evaluation process

Outcome 4: The Government of Panama has increased its capacity to assess and implement SLCP mitigation measures by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of government entities with improved capacity for SLCP action.

Output 4.1: Capacity Building Workshops and Technical Assistance for stakeholders working on organic waste management

• Training on the comprehension, analysis, development, and monitoring of projects in organic waste management. Include teaching of tools for cost-benefit analysis (private and social), including the quantification of CO2 and SLCPs emission mitigation and how to design and evaluate the implementation of organic waste initiatives.
• Develop training materials, manuals, and case studies tailored to Panama's context and a specific focus on the Merca market at Panama City
• Provide technical assistance to government entities for the implementation of SLCP reduction measures
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing platforms, online forums, and webinars among government entities to share experiences and challenges.
• Establishment of collaborative partnerships for food waste collection and sorting systems as crucial for the effective management and reduction of food waste.  
• Identify and engage relevant stakeholders who can contribute to or benefit from food waste collection and sorting systems. Key stakeholders may include local governments, waste management agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and food producers. Effective collaboration is key to co-creating a sustainable and comprehensive solution to this challenge.
• Development of project communication materials to disseminate results and share lessons learned.

APPLICATION PROCESs

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submitted before the deadline
• Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity. 
• Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses 
• Project duration is less than 24 months
• Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected. 
• Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents.

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders 
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed

• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1
   

  
  Selection process

• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners. 
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.
• The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

NOTE: DUE DILIGENCE 

In addition to eligibility criteria outlined above, qualified UNEP/CCAC implementers* must meet the following criteria: 

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years 
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements.
  * (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only, and as such, total costs in the following categories must fall below a certain threshold*:

• Contractual Services
• Equipment, Vehicles and Furniture
• Operating and other Direct costs

• Supplies, Commodities and Materials

  
  *Agreements of $200,000 and below: up to $20,000 or 15% of total budget, whichever is lower.

  *Agreements of above $200,000: up to $40,000 or 15%. * United Nations agencies are exempt from this requirement