Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed) has opened its annual Call for Micro-Initiatives for locally rooted projects reducing plastic pollution affecting the Mediterranean Sea. It supports community-level work over 12–24 months and has a clear requirement for co-financing.
Opportunity at a glance
- Location: Eligible Mediterranean countries and territories; African applicants should verify location and local criteria
- Amount: Up to €15,000, covering a maximum of 70% of the project budget
- Deadline: 6 December 2026 at 23:00 Paris time
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the geographic, organisational and partnership eligibility criteria in BeMed’s current call rules. North African Mediterranean organisations may be relevant, but registration in Africa alone does not establish eligibility. Read the current rules before starting an application and confirm that the proposed activities are rooted in an eligible local Mediterranean setting.
What funding supports
The call can support plastic reduction, replacement and reuse, collection and treatment, evidence gathering, advocacy, stakeholder education and activities that change local plastic-use systems. Each approved initiative can receive up to €15,000, accounting for no more than 70% of total eligible project costs. The applicant needs a credible way to cover the remaining share; 30% is not automatically covered by the donor.
Application steps
Download the official call rules and application template from BeMed. Define the plastic pollution problem, establish local need, identify beneficiaries and local decision-makers, set measurable results and prepare an itemised budget with co-financing. Send the completed application through the email submission method given in the current official guidelines before 6 December 2026, 23:00 Paris time. The 2026 call anticipates 10–15 selected projects and activities starting from June 2027.
Practical example
A coastal community association in an eligible Mediterranean location might partner with market vendors and waste handlers to replace disposable food-service packaging with a monitored reusable system. The proposal could track the number of vendors participating, changes in packaging purchases and practical cleaning and return arrangements. Without these operational details, awareness posters alone would be a less persuasive case.
Risks and common mistakes
The maximum grant is not a guaranteed award and BeMed will not finance an entire budget above the 70% ceiling. Avoid confusing the separate Mediterranean Islands call with the standard micro-initiatives route because their ceilings and eligibility differ. Check whether contributions must be cash or can include eligible in-kind support under the current detailed rules.
Applicant checklist
- Check the full current call for official eligibility, geography and funding rules.
- Prepare proof of registration or academic status, where required.
- Provide verifiable existing evidence and do not invent past impact.
- Match the budget and project period to the funder’s requirements.
- Submit through the current official channel before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a project receive?
Up to €15,000, capped at 70% of eligible total costs.
When do projects start?
The official page anticipates starts from June 2027.
How long can a project last?
Between 12 and 24 months.
Are all African countries eligible?
No; projects must meet the Mediterranean geography rules.
What is the deadline?
6 December 2026 at 23:00 Paris time.
Conclusion
Review the official <a href=”https://www.beyondplasticmed.org/en/call-for-projects/”>funder application page</a> and linked rules before applying. These details were checked on 24 October 2026, and the funder’s current instructions take precedence over this summary.
Organisations preparing grant documents can use the Africads Funding Readiness Toolkit.
