Cities Alliance Issues Call for Proposals for Solid Waste Management
On 28 August 2020, the Cities Alliance Liberia Country Programme launched a Call for Proposals to improve the effectiveness of waste management services in Liberia and scale up recycling and composting pilot programmes.
The Call for Proposals is a major milestone for Cities Alliance’s solid waste management project in Greater Monrovia, Liberia, that uses community-based enterprises (CBEs) to deliver climate-resilient solid waste management services. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Cities Alliance.
Funding Opportunities in Loans and Grants
A sum of US $436,000 has been earmarked for a loan scheme targeting at least 35 CBEs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) legally registered and operating in Greater Monrovia. The loans, which will be offered at a minimal interest rate, will enable both types of enterprises to expand their services.
The financing will help them strengthen their operations by purchasing equipment to improve the delivery of solid waste collection at the household level in informal settlements, including wheelbarrows, push carts, tricycles, pickup trucks, rakes, shovels, and spare parts to rehabilitate existing equipment. The loans will also finance office equipment so that the CBEs can improve their administrative management.
The project will award US$ 924,000 in grants to existing initiatives working in the solid waste sector in the areas of composting and recycling. Under the grant scheme, US $462,000 is earmarked for composting and another US $462,000 for recycling. Over a 12-month implementation period, Cities Alliance expects to sign at least 18 grant agreements with CBEs local private institutions, and civil society groups to implement pilot projects in composting and recycling.
European Union Support for the Project
Ms Vera Kellen, Programme Manager for Rural Development and Climate Change at the European Union in Liberia, welcomed the new funding opportunities and the strength of the EU-Liberia Global Climate Change Alliance, which was established under the previous national government.
In a statement read on her behalf, Ms. Kellen described the EU-Liberia Global Climate Change Alliance as “a practical example of strong cooperation between the private sector, the informal sector, local authorities, national authorities as well as national and international stakeholders working together towards a common vision of a climate-resilient solid waste management system in Monrovia, Paynesville and surrounding townships.”
She reiterated that the European Union is committed to working with Liberia for a sustainable future. “It cannot be said often enough: the EU stands with you for a common future on this planet. There is no Planet B. In this sense, I am confident that all potential applicants will make use of this facility with the best intentions and to the best of their capacities.”
