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Call for proposals: CCAC Food & Nutrition Challenge 2025 — Global Action on Food Loss and Waste to Cut Super Pollutants and Reduce Malnutrition

What is a CCAC “challenge”?

In a change from past CCAC calls for proposals targeting action in sectors, this year the CCAC is seeking to fund innovative, cross-sector projects that respond to a specific “challenge” — especially those that unite the super pollutant community around a common goal.

The CCAC Food & Nutrition Challenge 2025

Food systems across the globe are both a major source of super pollutant emissions and impacted by climate change and air pollution. From the farmer’s field to the consumer’s trash and everything in between, food production and consumption comes with emissions of black carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, and HFCs globally. These emissions also harm plant health—and with-it agriculture outputs and human health—through air pollution and extreme weather events. For example, tropospheric ozone is responsible for global crop production losses of 79-121 million tonnes annually.

While food is necessary for human survival, a significant portion of emissions along the value chain are the result of food that is produced, transformed, and transported but never eaten. Across the world about one-third (over 1 billion tonnes) of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, often ending up decomposing in landfills or open dumps negatively impacting human health and being lost for soil fertility or biodiversity.

Preventing food wastage along the value chain and redistributing edible food are crucial strategies that require cross-sector collaboration. These measures not only enhance food security but also help reduce multiple greenhouse gases and air pollutants simultaneously. Key actions include the development of innovative, energy-efficient cold chains that use low- or ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.

For non-avoidable or non-edible food waste—from agriculture to consumption—robust management systems are needed to capture organic waste in the highest possible quality and quantity. This is essential for closing natural nutrient cycles, preserving soil health, supporting food security, and enabling climate adaptation. Diverting organic waste from landfills and transforming it into valuable agricultural inputs is a critical step in this process.

Additionally, modern bioeconomy approaches are increasingly recognizing the importance of incorporating not just biomass but also biodegradable waste to replace products and fuels of fossil origin. However, despite their significance, these waste management systems often lack the enabling policy frameworks and financial support needed to scale super pollutant mitigation while safeguarding vital natural resources for the future.

These missed opportunities persist even as global food insecurity and malnutrition continue to rise - even though current food production is sufficient to nourish the world’s population. In 2023, 1 in 11 people globally faced hunger, rising to 1 in 5 in Africa (WHO). More than 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, and over 3 billion could not afford a healthy diet (UN).

Tackling super pollutant emissions from food loss and waste presents a practical, high-impact pathway to deliver multiple benefits. It can improve health and nutrition outcomes, create jobs and economic opportunities, and serve as a vital climate change mitigation strategy "from within" the food system - while also building resilience for the future.

Through the Food & Nutrition Challenge, the CCAC is seeking innovative cross-sector proposals that advance multiple focus areas outlined below:

Strengthen the natural cycles, improving at scale nutrient and material flows between rural and urban systems, or within the rural or urban circular/bio economies diverting organic waste for better uses (e.g. landscaping, gardening/farming, bio-based products or others) and boosting resilience through (urban/rural) planning, development, infrastructure, logistics, financial mechanisms including certification and trade, while taking local circumstances and traditions into account;
Advance agroecological practices and measures to preserve soils, environment and livelihoods improved food security, resilience to climate change/desertification and nutrition outcomes such as application of the soil conditioner compost/digestate at scale and soil management, crop diversification, intercropping, agroforestry, integrating crop and livestock;
Expand along the entire value chain energy-efficient cold, sustainable and inclusive cold-chain services based on low- and ultra-low GWP refrigerants, HFC alternatives or other services that lead to a substantial reduction of food loss, including farmer access to post-harvest product storage and “first mile” infrastructure to transport produce.
Support the prevention wastage of edible food or the redistribution of food waste, which is appropriate for consumption, including through infrastructure and greater investment at sub-national level. Proposals responding to this focus area should support the objectives of the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste.
Shape and strengthen financial systems to document GHG emission reductions in a transparent, accountable manner and to create/use clear, subject-related indicators for all GHG/super pollutant emissions sources to demonstrate a wider impact related to framework conditions or replicability or alike, with a clear methodology outlined in the project proposal.

Successful projects will be announced at COP30 alongside the possible launch of other related CCAC activities (including a possible CCAC Agriculture-focused Flagship, and some preliminary findings and discussions around the upcoming CCAC Integrated Assessment on Agriculture and Food).

What we are looking for

Proposals should target at least 2 of the focus areas outlined above and show cross-sector approaches to reducing food loss & waste
Proposals should target innovative approaches that are collaborative, scalable, and address more than one of the above-mentioned challenges
Proposals should show GHG/super pollutant reductions and impacts of all non-GHG/super pollutants-related areas by indicators
Proposals should clearly outline their proposed approach/methodology
Engagement with sub-national, private sector and other stakeholders is encouraged
Proposals from consortiums are encouraged including from local NGOs, government entities, and international organizations
Proposals with co-funding or in-kind contributions are encouraged including from private sector stakeholders or other donor schemes than those of CCAC
Proposals must target activities in ODA-eligible countries

How to apply

Step 1:

Complete the Challenge Programme Concept Note (available here)
Complete the Challenge Programme Google Form with applicant information (available here)
Upload the Concept Note to the Google Form (in word format) along with any additional documents
Submit the Google Form with the attached Concept Note to the CCAC Secretariat for review. Please note submission of your application via the Google Form is required for your proposal to be considered.

Step 2:

Upon submission of your Concept Note, the CCAC Secretariat may contact you requesting additional information or clarifying questions.
Should your Concept Note be successful, you will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal and budget. Full proposals will then undergo in-depth review by the CCAC Secretariat and relevant technical experts, with the final selection of proposals for funding to be made by the CCAC Board.

If your concept note is not successful, you will be notified by the Secretariat.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must be:

Complete
Relevant
Submitted on time
Within the budget range set in the call for proposals
Less than 24 months in duration
Compliant with CCAC gender criteria

Proposals that do not meet these minimum criteria will not be evaluated.

The CCAC can only fund non-profit entities, which include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and government entities.

For-profit entities are not eligible to receive CCAC funding, though may participate in projects as stakeholders, collaborators, or co-funders. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and during project implementation when their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.

Selection process and timeline

Eligible concept notes will go through a preliminary evaluation and applicants will be contacted for relevant follow up information or clarifying questions within three weeks of submission
Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners within four weeks of submission
Applicants invited to Step 2 will have three weeks to submit a detailed application form and budget
Full proposals will be reviewed by a panel of sector experts, the CCAC Funding Task Team, and the CCAC Board
Successful project announcements will be made in Q4 2025

FAQs

Download the full list of FAQs here.

Is prior engagement with the CCAC a requirement for organizations to be considered strong candidates?

No, prior experience working with the CCAC is not a requirement and does not give an organisation a stronger chance of being selected. All proposals are evaluated based on the quality of the submission, relevance to the objectives, and the capacity of the organisation to deliver. We welcome applications from both new and existing partners. You are asked to explain your existing engagement with the CCAC in the concept note.

Is there a limit to the number of concept notes an organization can submit as Lead Applicant?

No, there is no maximum number of concept notes an organisation can submit as a Lead Applicant. Each submission will be evaluated independently based on the content of the proposals. We kindly request that organisations ensure there is internal coordination on the submission of proposals to avoid duplication.

The Call encourages addressing at least two out of the five focus areas. Is there a recommended upper limit, or are proposals covering all five areas equally welcome?

Proposals must cover at least two of the five focus areas. We’re especially looking for proposals that are collaborative, cross-sectoral, and innovative. More than two can be covered as long as the approach is coherent and impactful. Proposals covering more than 2 focus areas will not be inherently prioritized over others.

Is there a minimum co-funding amount for this Call?

There is no minimum co-funding for proposals submitted. Proposals will be evaluated based on their overall impact potential and cost effectiveness, particularly at Step 2 of the application process when detailed budgets are developed.

Does the CCAC allow organizations to include indirect costs and/or administrative support in the project budget under this Call?

CCAC projects are administered through UNEP Partnership Agreements which do not support overhead costs. The budget should include direct costs only. This includes staff and personnel costs related to project activities, including project management.

Does the CCAC allow for procurement costs?

CCAC project funding is administered through UNEP Partnership Agreements, which in general limit procurement to incidental procurement costs. Previously, UNEP incidental procurement was limited to $20,000 or 15% of the total budget for agreements of $200,000 and below, and up to $40,000 or 15% for agreements above $200,000. We encourage you to follow these guidelines, however if proposed incidental procurement rates exceed these thresholds, they will be evaluated following the risk-based approach outlined in the 2024 UNEP Partnership Policy. At this stage, your proposal will not be excluded for exceeding incidental procurement rates. We will ask you for follow-up information on individual costs as necessary during Step 2 of the application process.

If a project focuses on a single country, is it advisable to request a smaller funding amount?

No. Requested funding is not subject to the number of countries included in the proposals. Multi-country projects are not mandatory for this call, and projects may take place at sub-national, national, or regional scopes. The amount of funding requested should reflect the intended impact, and the ambition of the proposed outcomes, outputs, and activities proposed.

What types of private sector involvement are eligible for funding?

For-profit organisations are not eligible for funding. However, co-funding or in-kind contributions are encouraged from private sector stakeholders or other donor schemes than those of CCAC. Private sector stakeholders may be involved in project activities but cannot receive CCAC funds.

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.

Update for applicants

Please note that the initial review process has now been completed and all successful applicants have been notified. We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in the CCAC and for your commitment to reducing short-lived climate pollutants.

We encourage you to stay informed about future CCA funding opportunities by regularly visiting our website.

A timeline on remaining steps in the application process is available below.

Deadline to submit project concept note: 6 August 2025
Longlist notification: 8 September 2025
Full project proposal deadline (for long-listed applicants only): 30 September 2025
Decision notification: Q4 2025
Expected project start: Q1 2026

About CCAC

Since 2012, the UNEP-convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is where the world convenes to reduce powerful super pollutants that drive both climate change and air pollution. Through political advocacy, catalytic grant-making, and enhancing the case for action at global, regional, and national levels, CCAC is delivering results. Partner countries and organisations work collectively and individually to cut emissions across key sectors, implementing solutions that are proven and cost-effective. CCAC is also the Secretariat to the Global Methane Pledge, a voluntary framework helping nations take action to collectively reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.

Super pollutant emissions are responsible for half of current of global warming to date. As set out in the CCAC's 2030 Strategy, global action, if taken now, could achieve reductions of at least 45% of methane and up to 70% of black carbon by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. By 2050, 99.5% of HFCs can be eliminated. This would avoid 0.6ºC of warming by 2050. New CCAC work also shows that without urgent action on rising nitrous oxide emissions, there is no viable pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and provides tangible tools to reduce emissions by more than 40% from current levels