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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working at the global level and in specific, rapidly urbanizing focal countries, including the Philippines, to target ocean plastics directly at their source.
USAID’s global "Clean Cities, Blue Ocean" (CCBO) was launched in late 2019 as the agency’s flagship program to combat marine litter. One of seven focal countries, CCBO’s engagement in the Philippines comes at a pivotal time for progress on plastic pollution.
USAID's first wave of grants will pilot solutions to stop the flow of plastic pollution to the waters within and surrounding the country, Manila Bay, including the Philippines Sulu and West Philippine Sea.
CORA (Communities Organized for Resource Allocation), has been selected as one of the grant partners for the said program. The Clean Cities, Blue Ocean Philippines' first class of grantees, have developed sustainable approaches and innovative solutions to advance the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) and solid waste management (SWM) to create cleaner cities and seas. In many cities, communities have begun to take action as plastic pollution has become one of the top priorities for governmental and grassroots efforts.
With increased, strategic and coordinated efforts among government, private sector, and local communities, the Philippines, neighboring nations, and the rest of the world, can achieve meaningful and sustainable impacts that also help empower the most vulnerable.
About CCBO
Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is USAID’s flagship program for combating ocean plastic pollution. The program works globally to target ocean plastics directly at their source, focusing on rapidly urbanizing areas that contribute significantly to the estimated eight million metric tons of plastic that flow into the ocean each year.
CCBO works to reduce ocean plastic pollution by:
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Incentivizing plastic recycling through policies and partnerships with the private sector, while empowering women and protecting workers
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Building capacity of local and national governments for improved solid waste management and a circular economy
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Promoting innovation and investment in locally appropriate business models, technology, and infrastructure
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Building social and behavior change for the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Across its initiatives, CCBO also works with a focus on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, seeking to advance and address the challenges of women working throughout the solid waste and recycling sectors. Learn more about CCBO’s Program Approach.
CCBO is currently working in Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia) and in Latin America and the Caribbean (Dominican Republic and Peru).
AT A GLANCE
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$48 million, global program to tackle ocean plastics pollution at the source
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Working in key geographies that are leading contributors to plastic leakage, including countries in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean
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Fixing local solid waste management systems to prevent further leakages of plastic into the natural environment for cleaner cities, and healthier oceans
CCBO Updates
