Madagascar – Establishing a Clean Air Center: Strengthening Governance, Monitoring, and Regional Collaboration for SLCP Mitigation and Air Quality Management

Overview

This project responds to the request by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, to champion the Africa Clean Air Programme. The project will support the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) countries in laying the foundation for a Regional Clean Air Center. It will strengthen national regulatory frameworks, enhance data systems, and support the development of air quality, climate and sustainable development plans. Recognizing the growing challenge of air pollution and climate impacts of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), the project will provide tailored regulatory recommendations for each IOC country, developed through stakeholder engagement and aligned with regional harmonization opportunities. A key objective is to foster institutional readiness and build the technical and governance infrastructure necessary for long-term SLCP mitigation and air quality management. 

Another core objective is to secure political and financial backing for the Clean Air Center in the OIC and member states. This includes assessing investment needs, identifying potential hosting arrangements across IOC countries, and developing fundable project proposals for air quality monitoring and management. These actions will enable countries to move from strategy to implementation, leveraging national efforts and broader regional commitments under the ACAP. By the end of the project, the IOC region will have a clear roadmap, technical proposals, and financing strategy to launch a robust, regionally coordinated self-sustaining clean air management mechanism. 

The project aligns with Madagascar's vision for green diplomacy (2024–2030), aimed at solidifying the country's leadership within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the IOC regions. The project seeks to support the vision of the Africa Clean Air Programme (ACAP) and underlying mandates (UNEA-6/10 resolution, AMCEN decision 18/4, AUC STC) across SADC and IOC nations, with Madagascar assuming the presidency of both organizations in 2025. 

More information on Madagascar’s work on short-lived climate pollutants can be found on their Partner Page.  

Who to involve

Ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development across IOC countries; Relevant line ministries and agencies: Health, Agriculture, Transport, Industry, Energy, Meteorology, Infrastructure etc; Academic institutions and civil society organizations; International development partners and funding agencies; IOC and SADC and member states and subnational entities. 

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Governments of the IOC have strengthened regulatory frameworks for air quality management by the end of the project or soon after

Indicator: Number of laws, regulations, standards or other policy mechanisms with air pollutants and SLCP targets or mitigation measures proposed.  

Output 1.1: Recommendations for regulatory actions for clean air in each country to be framed in the context of harmonization and collaboration amongst the IOC region countries.  

Output 1.2: Stakeholder consultations with national entities to develop and endorse recommendations for strengthening the regulatory frameworks for clean air. 

Output 1.3: Data and information management system established to inform and monitor regulatory actions and enhancements needed over the long-term for the IOC.  

Output 1.4: Training programs conducted for IOC governments on air quality data collection, analysis, and application in policy and planning.

Outcome 2: An IOC Center for Clean Air is set up and IOC governments secure political and financial support for its long-term operation by the end of the project or soon after.  

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with air pollutants and SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented

Output 2.1: IOC Center for Clean Air designed and endorsed by IOC as a regional mechanism for air quality leadership, science-policy advice and coordination. This should include at the minimum: 

• Identify and engage relevant national stakeholders including universities, research organizations, air quality monitoring services, government entities 
• Assess existing national and regional capabilities for air quality management and gaps in technical knowledge and institutional arrangements to be addressed by the center
• Develop the institutional and governance structure of the center
• Leverage political support on a national and regional level from IOC for setting up and operating the center
• Develop services to be provided by the centre including:
• Supports the development of robust air quality monitoring and analysis systems
• Strengthens regional capacity in air quality management
• Facilitates evidence-based policy and action plan development
• Supports implementation of effective air quality improvement measures
• Evaluates intervention impacts and shares knowledge gained
• Sustainable financing and resource mobilization plan.
• Regional awareness raising and communication strategy.

Outcome 3: The IOC endorses project proposals/initiatives for enhancing air quality management (e.g. expanding air quality monitoring, strengthening legal and regulatory framework, introducing national ambient air quality standards, national strategy for clean air, developing mitigation policies for key emitting sectors, awareness raising efforts) for submission to public and private funding sources by the end of the project.

Indicator: Amount of external funding (“catalysed funding”) for clean air and SLCP actions   

Output 3.1: Drafting of at least 5-7 appropriate projects/initiatives. The drafting of the projects/initiatives should include:  

• 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   

Output 3.2: Stakeholders convened and engaged on selection of at least 3 projects/ initiatives to identify financial opportunities. 

Output 3.3: Design a plan to support three selected projects in coordination with public and private institutions. This plan should include the identification for financial opportunities. 

Output 3.4: 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 air quality management projects.

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.

Due diligence and procurement

Due diligence  

CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet with the following requirements:   

• 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

Contract requirements

If selected for funding, your project will be contracted through the United Nations. Organisation(s) selected to implement the project must meet the following due diligence and procurement rules.

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only.