Deadline for Submission: 1 December 2024

Background

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA), UN-Habitat seeks, as part of its Strategic Plan, to contribute to increased equitable access to safe and sustainable waste management and management of resources, including the 5R – rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle aiming to maximize resources’ lifespan. 

While poor solid waste management causes air and water pollution, as well as marine litter and contributes to climate change, a sustainable integrated solid waste management system can provide environmental, economic, social and health benefits.  These include for example green jobs, renewable energies, decreased pollution and related diseases and becoming more self-sufficient by closing the loop for relevant resources.

The Zero Waste Publications Project is a compilation of four publications: the State of Zero Waste in World Cities Report, the Zero Waste Guide, the Zero Waste Coffee-Table Book and the Zero Waste Comic Book. It is aimed at advancing global awareness and practical solutions for zero waste. The publications are designed to cater to diverse audiences, ranging from policymakers and urban planners to general readers, including youth and children. The overarching goal is to promote zero waste approaches that reduce waste generation, enhance resource recovery, and encourage sustainable consumption and production patterns in cities and communities.

Description of the Assignment

Despite numerous challenges, zero waste initiatives worldwide remain steadfast in their commitment to their mandate. However, there is substantial potential for further replication and performance enhancement. 

UN-Habitat is preparing a report on the state of zero waste in world cities with the support of an implementing partner. 

This report will emphasize the critical state of zero waste initiatives in addressing the global waste crisis, mitigating climate change, promoting circularity of resources and achieving waste-related SDGs as well as make connections to global multilateral agreements and conventions, such as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution and triple planetary crisis aspects. 

The objective of the proposed report is to:

• Compile a comprehensive overview, including state of the art and trends, of zero waste state worldwide, such as gaps, challenges and enablers to achieving zero waste, governance, financing mechanisms, capacity and impact, showcasing case studies. 

• Identify the barriers to expanding and replicating zero waste initiatives and recommendations to enable opportunities to be seized.

This call invites expressions of interest from international organizations, nonprofits, NGOs, and research and academic institutions to support the preparation and publishing of the report. Selected institution(s) will be expected to work under the overall guidance of UN-Habitat and in collaboration with other partners in (1) developing the structure and scope of the report, (2) developing of background papers and drafting chapters, (3) collecting and reviewing data and case studies to illustrate chapters; (4) supporting participatory consultations, expert groups and technical meetings with background documentation; (5) formulating a draft version of the report for participatory consultation; and (6) finalizing the report based on reviews.

Parties interested in complementing their expertise through collaboration are encouraged to submit joint expressions of interest. Such partnerships should appoint a lead entity responsible for subsequently subcontracting the other partner(s). Submissions from or close collaboration with institutions in the global south are strongly encouraged. Short-listed candidates may be requested to submit detailed proposals or provide clarifications.

The Expression of Interest (EoI) should be maximum of 10 pages and contain, but may not be limited to, the following:

1. Experience of the organization in waste management and related topics. This should include a portfolio of projects undertaken in similar areas (references and links to similar publications);

2. A concept note of the report, including a proposed outline for the report and the approach that will be applied to the report;

3. Organizations should specify how the provided funds will be used and their intended support, detailing cash and in-kind contributions, which may include researchers' staff time, office space, equipment, and other resources, quantified in monetary terms. Submission of a budget showing use of provided funds and organization’s contribution, in kind and in cash, is recommended. 

4. Details on governance and organizational structure, along with resumes highlighting the experience and qualifications of key staff and descriptions of the organization's infrastructure facilities, should be provided.

5. Certified true copies of original audited account statements for the last two years.

6. Certificate of registration.

7. Latest annual report.

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UN-Habitat Financial Contribution

Upon selection, UN-Habitat will enter into an Agreement of Cooperation with the selected entity with a value of US$90,000 for the successful delivery of the report.

Overall Timeframe

The work outlined in this EOI will commence in January 2025 and be completed within eight months.

Submission Requirements and Guidelines

The EOI must be delivered in electronic format no later than 1 December 2024 at 11PM EAT to wastewisecities@un.org with the reference “State of Zero Waste in World Cities” indicated in the subject.

Contact information 

André Dzikus

Chief, Urban Basic Services Section, UN-Habitat

wastewisecities@un.org

Other

Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the EOI/or solicitation process. Submitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Cooperation Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Cooperation Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission will receive the final solicitation document.