The European Union (EU) and the Philippines have launched the Circular Solutions Innovation Challenge in Pasig City, aiming to fast-track the country’s shift toward a green, circular, and inclusive economy.
The initiative, backed by the EU, is spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), with implementation support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The program will provide up to PHP 2.28 million (approximately €35,000) in funding and implementation assistance for each selected innovation. Proposals are expected to address local circular economy priorities—such as plastic waste reduction, organic waste management, and sustainable tourism—while being technically sound, financially viable, and inclusive. Innovations that can be scaled or replicated across communities are particularly favored.
Dr. Marco Gemmer, Head of the Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the EU to the Philippines, emphasized the partnership’s dual aim of environmental impact and economic opportunity.
The first ten local government units (LGUs) supported under the program—Baguio, Pasig, Quezon City, Caloocan, Iloilo, Ormoc, Davao, Puerto Princesa, the Island Garden City of Samal, and Del Carmen—have each developed circular economy portfolios to map system gaps and identify opportunities for innovation. These portfolios target areas such as reducing plastic waste, improving organic waste management, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
The launch builds on prior EU-PH Green Economy Partnership initiatives, including funding in April 2025 for 27 civil society organizations under Community Grants and Circular Economy Education & Behavioral Change Grants.
By linking EU support with locally driven innovation, the Circular Solutions Innovation Challenge seeks to transform municipal challenges into scalable green solutions, fostering both environmental sustainability and economic resilience across the Philippines.
