PROTEGO Marine Litter Innovation Challenge

The PROTEGO Accelerator aims to develop and implement innovative solutions to collect, sort, recycle, and reuse plastic waste with high potential for scaling and replication across the region. This initiative focuses on addressing marine plastic pollution in hotspot locations across Ghana and Nigeria.

📖 About the Challenge

The PROTEGO Marine Litter Innovation Challenge is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV, Germany) and implemented by adelphi in partnership with:

• Ghana Cleaner Production Center (GNCPC)
• Plastic Punch (PP)
• WASTE Africa
• Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC)

The challenge empowers organizations with innovative solutions to prevent marine litter in the Gulf of Guinea. It bridges the gap between promising ideas and real-world impact through funding, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships.

🎁 Benefits of the Challenge

Participants in the PROTEGO Marine Litter Innovation Challenge will receive the following benefits:

• Project Funding: Access up to €40,000 to implement your innovative solution.
• Expert Advisory: Hands-on guidance and technical support from leading experts in waste management, circular economy, and marine conservation.
• Visibility: Showcase your project to a network of local and international partners.
• Capacity Building: Tailored training and advisory support to strengthen project design and implementation.
• Partnership Opportunities: Build strategic collaborations with public, private, and community stakeholders.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the challenge, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be legally registered and operating in Ghana or Nigeria (NGOs, companies, research institutions, or community organizations).
• Have a minimum of 1 year’s experience working on marine litter or waste management.
• Present an innovative project idea addressing one of the PROTEGO hotspot locations and challenges.
• Demonstrate a commitment to social, environmental, and economic impact, with a clear plan for sustainability beyond the program support.

📅 Application Date and Process

Key Dates:

• Date Published: June 09, 2025
• Application Deadline: July 21, 2025

How to Apply:

1. Download and fill out the application form from this link.
2. Submit your completed application as per the instructions provided.

Selection Criteria:

Applications will be assessed competitively based on the following criteria:

• Relevance and Innovation: Contribution to marine litter prevention and potential for long-term impact.
• Sustainable Impact: Social, environmental, and economic benefits, including gender and community inclusion.
• Feasibility: Clear plan for implementation and financial management within the given timeframe and funding.
• Local Stakeholder Engagement: Fit with local context and cooperation with stakeholders.
• Scalability: Potential for replication or scaling beyond the initial pilot.

📧 Contact Information

For any questions during the application process, you can contact PROTEGO via email at innovation@projectprotego.org.

🌐 Additional Information

For more details, visit the official PROTEGO Marine Litter Innovation Challenge page.

🗓 Application Deadline

July 21, 2025

• Project Funding: Access up to €40,000 to implement your innovative solution.
• Expert Advisory: Receive hands-on guidance and technical support from leading experts in waste management, circular economy, and marine conservation.
• Visibility: Showcase your project to a network of local and international partners.
• Capacity Building: Benefit from tailored training and advisory support to strengthen your project design and implementation.
• Partnership Opportunities: Build strategic collaborations with public, private, and community stakeholders.