The Global Framework on Chemicals Fund issues periodic calls for applications. The second round of applications was launched on 30 September 2025 and closed on 15 December 2025.
For more information on the scope of the Fund, please read the guidance document. English | French | Spanish
Strategic priorities: What is a Fund project?
Strategically, the Fund will prioritise proposals that:
- Strengthen institutional capacities for implementing and mainstreaming the safe and sustainable management of chemicals and waste at the national level - either broadly or in relation to specific issues of concern. Projects that align with national plans and build long-term institutional ownership will be viewed favourably.
- Target high impact sectors along the value-chain - such as electronics, textiles, agriculture and construction – by promoting safe and sustainable practices for health, labour and/or the environment. Ultimately, policies must be implemented to transition these sectors towards being free of pollution. Projects that catalyse sustainable financing or unlock public and private resources are encouraged. Approaches that integrate financial and investment strategies, including from the private sector, are equally favoured for funding. Applicants may also submit proposals aimed at laying the foundations for large-scale initiatives in high impact sectors which could be supported through other funding mechanisms in the future. In such cases, GFC Fund resources may be used to establish the enabling conditions, such as baseline assessments, institutional arrangements, or pilot activities, thereby laying the groundwork for expanded future action.
- Have a positive impact for people and the environment, and that are implemented at a regional or global level, or with transboundary impacts. Proposals that create long-term cooperation between governments and other stakeholders, engage multiple sectors —such as health, labour, and industry— and offer high impact relative to investment will be prioritized. The Fund also values proposals that avoid duplication and demonstrate potential for scaling up or replication.
Who can apply for funding?
There are two possible types of applicants under the Fund:
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Governments: Eligible governments include those listed as developing economies, LDCs, SIDS or CEIT in the annexes to the United Nations World Economic Situation and Prospects Report, that have endorsed or given other appropriate formal recognition of and support for the Global Framework on Chemicals. As put forward in the Fund’s terms of reference, the approval of projects will consider geographic and sectoral balance and pay particular attention to urgent needs and the requirements of LDCs and SIDS.
The official national Global Framework on Chemicals focal point is required to support the application on behalf of the Government through the provision of a letter accompanying the submission of the application. To foster cross-sectoral impact, supporting letters from other authorities and stakeholders relevant for implementing the project or its outcomes should be annexed.
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Civil society networks: On an exceptional basis, and with regard to the resources and administrative capacity available, representatives of civil society networks may apply to the Global Framework on Chemicals Fund subject to the agreement of the countries hosting the projects or programmes. For the purposes of the Fund, such agreement should be provided by the designated national focal point in the country concerned through an accompanying letter with the application.
Selection criteria
The Executive Board has identified a set of minimum requirements and prioritization criteria to assess the proposals for funding. These are set out below.
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Minimum criteria (Mandatory)
The project must meet the following conditions to be considered for funding. Failure to meet these requirements may result in disqualification:
The project:
- Is well-conceptualized, complete and clearly aligned with the vision, strategic objectives, and targets of the Global Framework on Chemicals and its Fund, particularly the strategic priorities outlined above.
- Builds the long-term institutional capacity for the management of chemicals and waste nationally, regionally, or internationally.
- Demonstrates a plan for ensuring long-term sustainability (exit strategy), such as through the implementation of institutional policies, or a sustainable financing mechanism that extends beyond the GFC Fund support.
- Provides at least 25% co-financing, which may include financial as well as in-kind contributions (e.g. staff time, accommodation, office space or operational support).
- Does not duplicate projects or programmes already funded under other bilateral or multilateral funding mechanisms.
- Includes a clear approach to gender mainstreaming and complies with UNEP’s environmental and social safeguard standards.
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Prioritization criteria
Among eligible projects, priority will be given to those applications that:
- Show strong national ownership and are clearly rooted in national priorities.
- Provide a clear and well-defined description of the context and explain why the project is not currently financed by the public or private sector.
- Build or foster cross-sectoral partnerships involving multiple stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector while engaging key sectors such as health, labour, environment, and industry, to enable systemic change.
- Mainstream the safe and sustainable management of chemicals across economic sectors including informal sectors.
- Are regional or of transboundary relevance, supporting cooperation across countries and contributing to shared policy goals.
- Catalyse sustainable financing by unlocking public or private resources or engaging the finance sector to promote longer-term investment in chemicals and waste management.
- Build upon or complement previous projects and initiatives, demonstrating learning, continuity, and innovation.
- Show potential for scaling up or replication in other national or regional contexts.
- Demonstrate a co-financing contribution greater than the recommended 25% of the total project cost and/or show how the project will benefit other countries in the region through capacity building, knowledge sharing, or transfer of tools or results.
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What will not be prioritised
Given the existence of multiple funds addressing chemicals and waste, the GFC Fund aims to support projects that are not adequately covered by other sources of funding. Proposals will not be prioritized if they:
- Fall within the primary mandate of other well-established funding mechanisms, such as the Special Programme or the Specific International Programme (SIP) under the Minamata Convention. Proposals will also be assessed for complementarity with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) - particularly where the GEF is already financing activities in the same country or on the same proposed area of work (e.g. mercury phase-out, POPs elimination, etc.). The intention is not to exclude such topics altogether, but to ensure that GFC Fund support is additive and not duplicative.
- Duplicate existing or past initiatives already funded under other bilateral or multilateral funding mechanisms, including existing tools and guidance documents, without demonstrating clear added value, innovation or lessons learned.
- Focus primarily on scientific research topics, baseline studies, or technical assessments without a clear path to implementation or measurable impact.
- Involve direct investment in commercial activities or for-profit enterprises, including start-ups, as the Fund does not finance commercial ventures.
- Are primarily focused on purchasing infrastructure or technical equipment. In exceptional cases, limited support may be provided, if the equipment is directly linked to institutional strengthening and if a robust long-term sustainability plan is in place, including provisions for maintenance and repair.
- Lack a clear exit strategy on how you will disengage from the project to ensure that the benefits continue, including on stakeholder engagement, or alignment with national priorities.
- Have a very narrow scope and limited impact, such as projects implemented only at the municipal or subnational level without broader relevance or scalability.
Application process
The application process follows the following steps:
In stage 1, applicants are requested to submit a concept note. This stage was open from 30 September to 15 December 2025. All submitted concept notes will be reviewed by the GFC Fund Executive Board. Based on strategic relevance, potential for impact, and alignment with GFC objectives, a selection of concept notes will be shortlisted.
Shortlisted applicants will receive feedback and comments from the Executive Board in April 2026 and will be invited to submit a full project proposal (stage 2) by the middle of June 2026. The exact timelines will be shared in due course. Final funding decisions will be made upon review of these full proposals. Applicants will be informed about the final outcomes in October 2026.
Project development usually involves extensive consultation with respective ministries and other stakeholders. The Fund encourages all applicants to reach out to their national focal point early to discuss national priorities.
Applicants are encouraged to read the application guidelines (English | French | Spanish) for further information on developing a project proposal and filling in the application documents.
Application forms
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Stage 1: Concept Note
Applicants were requested to submit the following document in English language by 15 December 2025:
- Concept note including the signature of the applicant (section D) and the signature of a designated focal point (Section E)
At the concept note stage any designated focal point (i.e. government representative from an environment, health, labour or other ministry) can endorse the application. At the application stage, the GFC national focal point (NFP) will be requested to endorse the application.
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Stage 2: Application form – for shortlisted applicants only
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full project proposal (stage 2). This application package includes the following documents:
- Completed application form including the signature of the applicant (section D) and the signature of the official GFC focal point (Section E)
- Project logframe
- Project budget form
- Signed letter of support from each participating country’s national focal point
- Letter(s) confirming co-financing and in-kind contributions from applicant organisation, beneficiary country(s) and other sources
- Letters of support from each of the project’s implementing partners confirming their roles and responsibilities
- For projects implemented by another entity than the applicant: Letter of intent from the lead partner confirming its role and responsibility in implementing the project on the applicant’s behalf
- For non-government applicants: Founding documents of the organization
- Other supporting documents such as letters of endorsement from any other government focal point(s), such as those representing health, labour, or other stakeholder groups
Submitting an application
Concept notes should be sent electronically in Word and PDF versions (with scanned or electronic signatures), to: unep-gfc.fund@un.org by the deadline set out above.
Support to applicants, tools and resources
The Secretariat is developing resources to support applicants throughout the application process and the further lifetime of their project. Please visit the Tools and Resources section for further information.
