Funding of $2 million : Submit proposals for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Food and Nutrition Challenge 2025

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Funding of $2 million : Submit proposals for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Food and Nutrition Challenge 2025

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is now accepting proposals for funding dynamic and cooperative initiatives aimed at tackling specific environmental issues. Priority will be given to projects that unite diverse actors from the super pollutant sector to pursue a common goal. Global food systems play a dual role in this challenge—they are major sources of super pollutant emissions and are also highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and air pollution.

Across the entire food chain—from agricultural production to consumption and waste—pollutants like black carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are emitted. These substances not only worsen air pollution and climate instability but also negatively affect crop yields, plant vitality, and public health. For instance, tropospheric ozone alone is linked to the loss of up to 121 million tonnes of crops each year worldwide.

In response, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is seeking project proposals under its Food & Nutrition Challenge that take an integrated, multi-sector approach. One key focus area is enhancing the cycling of nutrients and materials by repurposing organic waste for beneficial uses—such as composting for gardens, bio-based product development, or agricultural reuse.

Proposals should also aim to build systemic resilience by improving urban and rural infrastructure, planning, logistics, financial systems, and trade, all while remaining sensitive to local traditions and social contexts. Another major emphasis is on scaling up agroecological methods that support soil health, protect biodiversity, and increase food system sustainability. Examples include applying compost or digestate on a broader scale, adopting crop rotation and intercropping techniques, promoting agroforestry, and integrating livestock into crop systems for regenerative benefits.

The Coalition is also committed to advancing sustainable cold-chain solutions across the food supply network. This involves promoting the adoption of inclusive, energy-efficient refrigeration technologies that utilize low or ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, with the goal of significantly reducing food loss. A key priority is improving farmers' access to cold storage and early-stage transport infrastructure.

Another critical focus is minimizing edible food waste and enhancing systems for redistributing surplus food. Proposals in this area should align with the COP29 Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste and emphasize investment and infrastructure at the community level. Additionally, the CCAC is looking to support initiatives that establish reliable and transparent financial systems capable of tracking greenhouse gas and super pollutant emission reductions. Projects must include clear metrics and methodologies that show tangible impact and potential for broader replication.

Selected proposals may receive funding of up to approximately \$2 million. Only non-profit organizations—such as NGOs, intergovernmental bodies, and government institutions—are eligible to apply. While private companies cannot receive direct funding, they may still participate as key collaborators or implementers where their involvement is crucial to the success of the initiative. All submissions must meet the program's criteria, including completeness, timeliness, thematic relevance, alignment with budget limits, and a maximum duration of 24 months. Adherence to the CCAC’s gender guidelines is also required.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 6-Aug-25.

Scroll down below for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity.

Host Institution

Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)

Program Type

Fully Funded

Eligibility Criteria

Submitted proposals are expected to address at least two of the highlighted priority areas and demonstrate integrated, cross-sector strategies for tackling food loss and waste. Projects should introduce innovative, collaborative, and scalable solutions that respond to multiple interconnected challenges.

Applicants must clearly define the methods and approaches they intend to use, and provide measurable indicators to assess reductions in greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants, as well as the outcomes in related non-emissions areas.

Proactive involvement of sub-national actors, private sector players, and other relevant stakeholders is strongly encouraged. Proposals submitted by partnerships or consortiums—such as collaborations between local NGOs, government bodies, and international institutions—are especially welcome.

Initiatives that include co-financing or in-kind support, particularly from private sector actors or donors outside the CCAC framework, will be viewed favorably.

All proposed activities must be implemented in countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA).

Eligible Countries

The current DAC list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients includes several categories based on income levels and development status, with regular updates made to reflect changes. The categories are Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low Income Countries which are not LDCs, Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories which are not LDCs, and Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories which are not LDCs. These categories are determined by the per capita Gross National Income (GNI) as of 2022: LDCs and Low Income Countries have a per capita GNI of $1,135 or less, Lower Middle Income Countries fall between $1,136 and $4,465, and Upper Middle Income Countries range from $4,466 to $13,845.

The Least Developed Countries (LDCs) include Afghanistan (L), Benin (LM), Burkina Faso (L), Burundi (L), Central African Republic (L), Chad (L), Democratic Republic of the Congo (L), Eritrea (L), Ethiopia (L), Gambia (L), Guinea (L), Guinea-Bissau (L), Lesotho (LM), Liberia (L), Madagascar (L), Malawi (L), Mali (L), Mozambique (L), Nepal (LM), Niger (L), Rwanda (L), Sierra Leone (L), Somalia (L), South Sudan (L), Sudan (L), Togo (L), Uganda (L), Yemen (L), and Zambia (LM), among others. Countries classified as Low Income but not LDCs include Angola (LM), Bangladesh (LM), Cambodia (LM), Comoros (LM), Djibouti (LM), Haiti (LM), Kiribati (LM), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LM), Mauritania (LM), Myanmar (LM), Sao Tome and Principe (LM), Senegal (LM), Solomon Islands (LM), Tanzania (LM), Timor-Leste (LM), and Tuvalu (UM).

Countries listed as Low Income which are not LDCs also include the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Syrian Arab Republic, Algeria, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Micronesia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tokelau, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, and Zimbabwe.

For the category of Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories which are not LDCs, the list includes Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, China (People’s Republic of), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, Nauru, Niue, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Wallis and Futuna, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Finally, the Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories which are not LDCs consist of those with per capita GNI between $4,466 and $13,845, overlapping with many listed above, often depending on the most recent income classifications and local economic changes.

Official Link

https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/oda-eligibility-and-conditions/dac-list-of-oda-recipients.html#oda-recipients-list