CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND CONCEPT NOTES

Requester: EU 4 Circular Economy and Livable Cities, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Office Tirana.

Background information and long-term objectives of responsible projects for the call

The EU 4 Circular Economy and Livable Cities program seeks to foster private sector participation by offering technical support and grant schemes that incentivize businesses and start-ups in their transition to more sustainable and waste-friendly practices. Through this initiative, the program also assists the Albanian government in advancing its transition towards a circular economy.

The EU 4 Circular Economy and Livable Cities project is co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Albania in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MoTE).

Subject of the call

This call invites ecosystem actors (Non-Governmental Organizations, Innovation Support Organizations and/or other qualified entities - preferably non-profit) to express their interest and submit concept notes for two Innovation Challenge programs, designed to utilize grant funding to support start-ups and SMEs in developing innovative solutions for waste prevention & recycling.

1. The Organic Waste Circular Innovation Challenge should focus on key areas such as:

·?Reducing organic waste,

·?Upcycling food waste,

·?Recycling biogenic waste,

·?Implementing smart inventory systems,

and other relevant Circular Economy practices.

2.??The Single Use Plastic Waste Challenge should focus on the reduction of items as covered under the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive 2019/904 such as:

·?Plastic cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks)

·?Plastic plates

·?Plastic straws

·?Plastic beverage stirrers

·?Plastic balloon sticks

·?Expanded polystyrene (EPS) food containers (e.g., takeout boxes)

·?EPS beverage containers (including cups and their lids/covers)

·?EPS containers for food and drinks (like those used for fast food)

·?All products made from oxo-degradable plastic (these break down into microplastics)

This should be achieved by actions such as:

·?Plastic producers developing more durable / reusable alternatives to SUPs.

·?Plastic producers increasing domestically recycled plastic usage in their production.

·?HORECA businesses replacing SUP with reusable alternatives.

·?HORECA businesses introducing new systems & policies to reduce SUP.

and other relevant Circular Economy practices.

Objective of the Circular Innovation Challenges

Specifically, this call invites entities to propose Grant Management Services for the Circular Innovation Challenges, including:

a.?Outreach & Information session for potential applicants.

b.?Organization of an idea competition (open call) for start-ups, SMEs, & established businesses.

c.?Disbursing funds to selected beneficiaries.

d.?Supporting beneficiaries to implement innovative solutions.

e.?Ensuring proper financial management of the beneficiary funds

f.?Monitoring of environmental & economic impacts.

Concept notes should outline innovative and effective approaches for structuring an idea competition that provides practical, hands-on support to applicants & selected beneficiaries. Additionally, interested ecosystem actors should present a comprehensive and strategic framework for grant management, ensuring transparent and results-driven oversight of funding for both programs.

The overall objective is to foster innovative solutions that enable established businesses and start-ups in Albania to adopt more sustainable and waste-conscious practices to reduce the amount of waste being landfilled.

Concretely, this grant funding opportunity is to support a minimum of eight (8) SMEs, established businesses or start-ups in Albania, providing financial support of up to EUR 50,000 each to develop & pilot their innovative solutions in the Albanian market.

Timeframe

1.?Grant Management for the Organic Waste Circular Innovation Challenge:

-?Q3 2025 Launch

-?Q4 2025 Grant Awarding

-?Q4 2025 – Q2 2026 program implementation

-?Q2 2026 final financial reporting

2.?Grant Management for the SUP Waste Circular Innovation Challenge:

-?Q2 2025 Launch and grant awarding

-?Q2-Q4 2025 program implementation

-?Q1 2026. final financial reporting

Eligibility of applicants

Applications are encouraged from all relevant ecosystem actors, including NGOs, ISOs, accelerators, incubators, research institutions, universities, co-working spaces, and private companies.

Applicants should demonstrate a strong understanding of Circular Economy principles and well-networked with the Albanian start-up ecosystem. All applicants must be legally registered and?operating in accordance with Albanian law. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate:

·?Prior experience in accelerating businesses and providing grant management services

·?Sufficient staff capacity and resources to effectively carry out the activities

·?Externally audited financial statements (preferred)

·?Management manual (preferred)

·?Proven experience and knowledge in the waste management industry (preferred)

Selection Procedure

All applicants are invited to submit a concept note (maximum 3 pages) introducing their organisations and outlining their ideas and intended approach. Once the concept note has been submitted, the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. After the preliminary selection, all selected candidates will be invited for an interview to evaluate the proposed project and determine its alignment with our objectives.

Deadline & submission of documents

Kindly submit your concept note in PDF format to the following e-mail address: [email protected]. The deadline for submission is 04.04.2025.

All written communication for this process and any subsequent stages will be conducted in English.