CCAC Food & Nutrition Challenge 2025

Global Action on Food Loss and Waste to Cut Super Pollutants and Reduce Malnutrition

Lead Organization: Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), convened by UNEP

Funding Opportunity: Up to $2 million in total funding for innovative, cross-sector projects

Application Period: Open from June 25, 2025, to August 6, 2025

Project Duration: Maximum of 24 months

To enable innovative, scalable, and teamwork-based initiatives that, in one go:

Phase out short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like methane, black carbon, HFCs and nitrous oxide which are generated from food loss and waste
Solve food insecurity problem and deal with malnutrition
Lead circular economies and climate-adaptive food systems

Circular Bioeconomy & Nutrient Cycling: Re-route bio-waste from landfills to high-value sectors (e.g. compost, bio-based products) and also nutrient flow between rural and urban.
Agroecological Practices: Planting different kinds of crops to improve the fertility of the soil and make it more resilient by using compost/digestate, practicing crop diversification, agroforestry, and integrated crop-livestock systems.
Sustainable Cold Chains: Promote energy-efficient, low-GWP refrigeration and cold storage (especially “first-mile” infrastructure) for food loss reduction.
Finance & Emission Tracking: Develop transparent financial systems and clear indicators to measure GHG and super pollutant reductions, ensuring replicability and impact.

Eligible Applicants: Non-profit entities only—NGOs, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and government entities
For-profit entities may participate as partners or co-funders but cannot receive CCAC funds directly
Projects must take place in ODA-eligible countries
Proposals must be complete, relevant, on time, within budget, and compliant with CCAC gender criteria

Step 1 – Concept Note Submission:Complete the Challenge Programme Concept Note (Word format)Submit via the Google Form along with applicant details and supporting documentsDeadline: August 6, 2025
Complete the Challenge Programme Concept Note (Word format)
Submit via the Google Form along with applicant details and supporting documents
Deadline: August 6, 2025
Step 2 – Full Proposal (by invitation only): Selected applicants will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal and budget within three weeks
Final selection by the CCAC Board after expert review
Selected applicants will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal and budget within three weeks
Final selection by the CCAC Board after expert review

Inter-sector cooperation, innovation, and potential for replication.
Participation of the sub-national governments, private sector, and local communities.
Co-financing or in-kind contributions (especially from the private sector) are the most suitable forms of support.
The research methodology and outcome measurement focus on demonstrating a clear impact on SLCP reductions and food security.

Briefing Sessions (Virtual): July 10, 2025 (morning and afternoon, Paris time)
Concept Note Deadline: August 6, 2025
Full Proposals: Submitted by invited applicants in Q3 2025
Project Announcements: Expected in Q4 2025, coinciding with COP30

Get More

Additional Notes

CCAC is the secretariat of the Global Methane Pledge; projects should align with methane reduction goals
Emphasis on gender-responsive project design
Projects may contribute to a future CCAC Agriculture Flagship and Integrated Assessment on Agriculture and Food

This call represents a unique opportunity to integrate climate action, air quality, and nutrition through transformative food systems interventions.

For more information and to apply: Visit the CCAC website
Download the concept note and FAQs via the official call page.