Introduction
The Value Creation and Reduced Emissions from Waste (VCREW) project is a collaborative initiative led by Engineers Without Borders Norway, in partnership with World Food Programme and Stromme Foundation.  

In displacement affected and low infrastructure contexts, large volumes of waste, including thin polythene, multilayer sachets, and mixed plastics have little or no recycling value. Due to limited waste management infrastructure, high transport costs, and lack of formal landfills, these materials are frequently openly dumped or openly burned.  

The project aims to reduce plastic pollution and harmful emissions resulting from the open burning of unrecyclable waste in rural, low-resource areas, while identifying and setting-up revenue-generating activities along the waste value chain that create livelihood opportunities for local communities and sustain the economic viability of the proposed solution. Our vision is to produce a scalable end-to-end solution for waste management in remote environments. A solution tailored for both humanitarian response and long-term development. We are looking for partners to help us fulfil this vision as far as feasible.  

We aim to find the right partner(s) to join us in fulfilling the project aims and to:  
Develop and design an integrated and fit for purpose solution for collection, recycling/disposal of non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle plastic waste and systems for creating local value, targeting at a minimum, non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle plastic waste in humanitarian and development settings. Providers may also target additional waste streams, provided that low value plastic is included in their approach.  

We invite proposals for a solution that delivers one or more of the following:  

• Safe treatment of hard-to-recycle plastics (e.g., polyethylene carry bags,
  multilayer food packaging sachets (including metallised PET), that are currently dumped/burned openly.  
• Reduced harmful emissions versus uncontrolled open burning/dumping.  
• Clear pathway to local value creation, (e.g., products, services, livelihoods, financial support mechanisms,
  or other measurable benefits), including roles/responsibilities and who benefits.  
• Develop and implement solution based on local needs, in collaboration with local stakeholders at pilot sites;
  Dadaab, Kenya, and Butambala District, Uganda.  

 
The proposed solution will be integrated into existing local waste management systems and should demonstrate simple, safe, and practical operating conditions.  

We are looking for partners with a solid understanding of the challenge, proven technical capacity in co-development/design/engineering and the ability to physically operationalize the solution. Eligible and interested private companies are invited to implement a solution with value creation in collaboration with local stakeholders by 1st December 2026. If needed, a project time extension is possible.  
 
Below you will find the RFP, important related project documents and more information about Humanitarian Innovation Programme.

Documents:
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-VCREW-EWB-N. RFP260310.docx
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL-VCREW-EWB-N. RFP260310.pdf
EWB-N - VCREW presentation.pdf
MD meeting minutes VCREW. 13.02.26.pdf
VCREW - WFP mission report Kenya.pdf
VCREW - WFP Needs assessment report - Kenya.pdf
VCREW Needs Assessment - Report _Stromme Foundation.pdf

We are seeking partners with the following qualities: 

• Strong technical knowledge and expertise  
• Experience in system design for end-to-end waste management solutions  
• An understanding of the local context and community needs  
• Demonstrated flexibility, collaborative spirit, and an innovative mindset  

A digital RFP Q&A session will be held on 17 March 2026 at 13:00 CET. All questions and clarifications related to the RFP will be published on the EWB/RFP webpage. Click here to participate in the Q&A

Questions and Answers: