Pasig, Philippines — June 3, 2026 — The European Union and the Philippines have launched the 2026 Circular Solutions CSO Grants and Innovation Challenge, unlocking new funding opportunities to advance circular economy solutions in 10 partner cities.
The initiative builds on the first wave of projects supported in 2025 and is part of the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership, which aims to strengthen local government units and accelerate transitions toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to the Philippines, emphasized the importance of local innovation: “We would be extremely limiting ourselves in our global ambition if we didn’t ask people from the local level about the solutions. This is why I think this innovation challenge is so important.”
The program will support proposals from civil society organizations, cooperatives, academe, social enterprises, start-ups, MSMEs, and private sector innovators working on plastic and organic circularity, green tourism, and community-led sustainability. Grants of up to USD 100,000 will be available for CSO-led projects, while the Innovation Challenge offers up to USD 40,000 for scalable solutions.
Partner cities include Bacoor, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Ilagan, Isabela, Koronadal, Maasin, San Carlos, San Jose del Monte, and Sorsogon. The funding mechanisms encourage collaboration between local governments, civil society, and private actors to reduce waste, strengthen livelihoods, and build resilience.
Atty. Jonas Leones, Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, highlighted the urgency of collective action, while Christophe Bahuet, UNDP Resident Representative, underscored the value of global partnerships matched with strong local leadership.
Funded by a €60 million EU grant, the Green Economy Partnership runs until 2028, co-funded by Germany’s Ministry for the Environment and implemented with partners including GIZ, UNDP Philippines, Expertise France, Global Green Growth Institute, and IFC. It is part of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, promoting investments in green and digital transitions worldwide.
