The CCAC Food & Nutrition Challenge 2025 is a global call for innovative, cross-sector project proposals that reduce food loss, cut super pollutants (like methane, black carbon, HFCs), and improve food and nutrition systems. Unlike previous CCAC sector-focused calls, this Challenge targets big-picture, integrated solutions that drive measurable environmental and public health impacts.
Organized by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), this initiative is linked to the upcoming COP30, where successful proposals may be showcased.
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When is the Application Deadline?
🛑 August 6, 2025
📌 Type:
🌍 Global Challenge Grant (Project Proposal-Based Competition)
🧩 What Are the Priority Focus Areas?
Applicants must address at least 2 of the following:
- Strengthen natural cycles through rural–urban nutrient flows, circular bio-economies, and waste diversion.
- Agroecological practices (composting, intercropping, agroforestry, crop–livestock integration).
- Cold-chain innovation using low-GWP refrigerants and sustainable food transport/storage systems.
- Edible food waste reduction and redistribution.
- Financial systems for tracking super pollutant/GHG emissions with replicable, transparent indicators.
💰 What Is the Funding Size?
- Up to $2,000,000 per selected project
- Projects must be less than 24 months in duration
- Co-funding and in-kind contributions are encouraged
🌎 Which Countries Are Eligible?
Projects must be implemented in ODA-eligible countries (Official Development Assistance).
👥 Who Can Apply?
✅ Eligible Applicants:
- Non-profit organizations (NGOs)
- Government entities (national or sub-national)
- Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
❌ Not Eligible for Direct Funding:
- For-profit entities (but they can be stakeholders, collaborators, or co-funders)
⚖️ Eligibility Criteria:
Your project proposal must be:
- Complete
- Relevant to the focus areas
- Submitted on or before the deadline
- Less than 24 months in duration
- Within budget
- Gender-responsive
- Compliant with CCAC requirements
🏆 How Are Winners Selected?
Step 1: Submit a Concept Note via the Google Form and upload it with any supporting documents
Step 2: Invitation to submit full proposal (if shortlisted)
- Reviewed by the CCAC Secretariat and technical experts
- Final decision made by the CCAC Board
Successful project announcements will be made in Q4 2025, possibly at COP30.
📥 How to Apply:
Step 1:
- Complete the Challenge Programme Concept Note (available here)
- Complete the Challenge Programme Google Form with applicant information (available here)
- Upload the Concept Note to the Google Form (in word format) along with any additional documents
- Submit the Google Form with the attached Concept Note to the CCAC Secretariat for review. Please note submission of your application via the Google Form is required for your proposal to be considered.
Step 2:
- Upon submission of your Concept Note, the CCAC Secretariat may contact you requesting additional information or clarifying questions.
- Should your Concept Note be successful, you will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal and budget. Full proposals will then undergo in-depth review by the CCAC Secretariat and relevant technical experts, with the final selection of proposals for funding to be made by the CCAC Board.
If your concept note is not successful, you will be notified by the Secretariat.
📧 Inquiries: ccac_secretariat@un.org
🔗 Visit the Award Webpage for Details: https://www.ccacoalition.org/calls-for-proposals/call-proposals-ccac-food-nutrition-challenge-2025-global-action-food-loss-and-waste-cut-super-pollutants-and-reduce-malnutrition
FAQs About the CCAC Food & Nutrition Challenge 2025
Is prior engagement with the CCAC a requirement for organizations to be considered strong candidates?
No, prior experience working with the CCAC is not a requirement and does not give an organization a stronger chance of being selected. All proposals are evaluated based on the quality of the submission, relevance to the objectives, and the capacity of the organisation to deliver. We welcome applications from both new and existing partners. You are asked to explain your existing engagement with the CCAC in the concept note.
Is there a limit to the number of concept notes an organization can submit as Lead Applicant?
No, there is no maximum number of concept notes an organization can submit as a Lead Applicant. Each submission will be evaluated independently based on the content of the proposals. We kindly request that organizations ensure there is internal coordination on the submission of proposals to avoid duplication.
The Call encourages addressing at least two out of the five focus areas. Is there a recommended upper limit, or are proposals covering all five areas equally welcome?
Proposals must cover at least two of the five focus areas. We’re especially looking for proposals that are collaborative, cross-sectoral, and innovative. More than two can be covered as long as the approach is coherent and impactful. Proposals covering more than 2 focus areas will not be inherently prioritized over others.
Is there a minimum co-funding amount for this Call?
There is no minimum co-funding for proposals submitted. Proposals will be evaluated based on their overall impact potential and cost effectiveness, particularly at Step 2 of the application process when detailed budgets are developed.
Does the CCAC allow organizations to include indirect costs and/or administrative support in the project budget under this Call?
CCAC projects are administered through UNEP Partnership Agreements, which do not support overhead costs. The budget should include direct costs only. This includes staff and personnel costs related to project activities, including project management.
Does the CCAC allow for procurement costs?
CCAC project funding is administered through UNEP Partnership Agreements, which, in general, limit procurement to incidental procurement costs. Previously, UNEP’s incidental procurement was limited to $20,000 or 15% of the total budget for agreements of $200,000 and below, and up to $40,000 or 15% for agreements above $200,000.
We encourage you to follow these guidelines; however, if proposed incidental procurement rates exceed these thresholds, they will be evaluated following the risk-based approach outlined in the 2024 UNEP Partnership Policy. At this stage, your proposal will not be excluded for exceeding incidental procurement rates. We will ask you for follow-up information on individual costs as necessary during Step 2 of the application process.
If a project focuses on a single country, is it advisable to request a smaller funding amount?
No. Requested funding is not subject to the number of countries included in the proposals. Multi-country projects are not mandatory for this call, and projects may take place at sub-national, national, or regional scopes. The amount of funding requested should reflect the intended impact and the ambition of the proposed outcomes, outputs, and activities.
What types of private sector involvement are eligible for funding?
For-profit organizations are not eligible for funding. However, co-funding or in-kind contributions are encouraged from private sector stakeholders or other donor schemes than those of CCAC. Private sector stakeholders may be involved in project activities, but are not eligible to receive CCAC funds.
What Do Selected Proposals Get?
- Up to $2 million in funding
- Global recognition, especially at COP30
- Technical support from CCAC experts
- Potential alignment with future CCAC flagships or agriculture-focused projects
