Open Call: Malaysia Island Innovation Challenge

The new Malaysia Island Innovation Challenge was launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Ministry of Finance to spur collective local action for waste management for the country’s islands.

Presently, unsustainable waste management practices on Malaysia’s islands pose major threats to the environment, local communities, and the tourism industry. These threats include negative environmental impact, health risks, harm to community well-being, and degradation of valuable tourism assets.

Plastics and food waste represent more than 70% of waste produced on the country’s islands, mainly generated at resorts, food establishments, and among local communities. Waste collection was also found to increase by more than tenfold during holiday periods, highlighting the need for the private sector, local government, and communities to take proactive roles in waste management systems.

Aims

• Waste management on Malaysia’s islands poses major threats to the environment, local communities, and the tourism industry. Below are some of the most pressing issues.
  • Environmental impact: Improper waste disposal leads to pollution of the surrounding marine environment and ecosystems. Plastics and other non-biodegradable materials can harm marine life, such as sea turtles, fish, and coral reefs. The accumulation of waste on beaches and in the ocean damages the natural beauty of the islands and disrupts the delicate balance of marine ecosystems.
  • Health risks: Inadequate waste management practices can pose health risks to both humans and wildlife. Decomposing waste can release harmful toxins and pollutants into the environment, contaminating soil, water sources, and air. This pollution can lead to diseases and health problems for residents and tourists.
  • Harm to community wellbeing: Island communities often rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, which include fishing and tourism. Pollution from improper waste disposal can directly impact these industries, leading to a decline in fish stocks, damage to coral reefs, and loss of income for local residents who depend on tourism-related activities.
  • Degradation of valuable tourism assets: The tourism industry is particularly vulnerable to the effects of poor waste management. Visitors come to islands expecting pristine beaches, clear waters, and vibrant marine life. However, if these natural assets are degraded due to pollution, it can deter tourists and damage the reputation of the destination. Declining tourism numbers can have severe economic consequences for local businesses and communities that rely on tourism revenue.

Themes

• Key waste streams that the challenge seeks to address include:
  • Plastic waste
  • Food Waste
  • Water Pollution
  • Carbon emission

Funding information

• Successful applicants to the challenge will receive up to USD$40,000 to implement waste management initiatives on any Malaysian islands that receive tourists.
• The typical items that can be covered by the innovation challenge may include but not limited to:
  • No more 50% staff salaries.
  • Technology, design, business, development and other consultancy services advisory inputs.
  • Small equipment and supplies.
  • Trainings and workshop expenses.
  • Other costs, including travel costs related to the project implementation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entities must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • Registered entity: The lead applicant must be a registered entity with any government registration.
  • Partnership with at least local actor: Applicants must partner with at least one local actor to ensure viability of the proposed solution within local conditions and to ensure feasible implementation on any islands in Malaysia.
• All submitted documents can be in English or Bahasa Malaysia language.
• Each entity may only submit one application.

For more information, visit UNDP.