Global Framework on Chemicals Calls for Project Proposals

One year after its adoption in Bonn, Germany, the Global Framework on Chemicals has announced its first project call for initiatives aimed at promoting the safe and sustainable management of chemicals and waste. The projects will focus on implementing eco-friendly solutions to prevent and minimize the harmful impacts of chemicals and waste, particularly in low-income countries and small island developing states (SIDS).

Adopted during the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management in September 2023, the framework was developed through collaboration among governments, private sector representatives, civil society, academia, and youth groups. A dedicated trust fund was also established to support low and middle-income countries in managing chemicals and waste according to international standards.

Projects selected through the call will receive between US$300,000 and US$800,000 over a period of up to three years. These initiatives are expected to drive transformative changes by reducing the damage caused by chemicals and waste, while protecting both the environment and public health, especially vulnerable communities and workers. Applicants must secure co-financing or in-kind contributions covering at least 25% of the project’s costs. Governments, along with civil society networks, are eligible to apply with prior approval from the respective government.

The fund aims to back medium-scale projects that enhance national and regional capacities for chemical and waste management, while also supporting national policies and standards. Prioritized projects will promote solutions across the value chain and engage various stakeholders, including government ministries, regional centers, health networks, major industrial sectors, investment banks, small businesses, and civil society organizations. The fund will prioritize projects that demonstrate potential for long-term sustainability beyond the three-year funding window.

The Global Framework outlines 28 goals for chemical management, addressing issues such as illegal chemical trade, the implementation of national legal frameworks, financial flow harmonization, and the phase-out of highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture by 2035. It also calls for a transition to safer, more sustainable chemical alternatives and improved transparency in chemical risk information. Supported by an initial US$27 million investment, the fund complements existing financial mechanisms addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Initial contributions came from Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). 

"Pollution and waste are a daily crisis for human health, economic activities, and the environment. This historic framework is now moving from concept to reality, delivering tangible benefits to those on the frontlines of this crisis," said Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director, UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division.