The EU Multi-Donor Action "Switch to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa (SWITCH-2-CE in ESA)" is jointly co-financed by the European Union and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and Expertise France (EF). The duration of this Action is scheduled from 1 April 2025 to 31 July 2029. The GIZ-implemented part of the Action is integrated into the BMZ-financed Global Programme Go Circular, which aims at disseminating circular economy approaches globally. The EU SWITCH-2-CE Programme in East and Southern Africa aims to foster an inclusive transition to a circular economy in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region through policy frameworks, workers and SMEs participation, and improved financing mechanisms for CE businesses. The activities will contribute to mitigation of climate change by promoting green and circular business models. The program is structured around three main outcomes, with the two priority value chains: "packaging/plastics waste" and "electronics/e-waste". The program aims to achieve the following outcomes: - Outcome 1: To establish an enabling policy framework for circular economy across the ESA region; - Outcome 2: To enhance the participation of formal and informal workers and SMEs, including women and youth, in circular economy models; - Outcome 3: To improve access to and use of financing by circular economy businesses The activity related to a regional EPR community of practice establishes an inclusive regional community of practice (CoP) for key stakeholder groups to foster knowledge sharing and exchange on best practices for EPR schemes for the two target value chains. This will be done in close coordination with existing initiatives on EPR like the SADC EPR/ CE stakeholder platform and with national governments. This includes the organisation of workshops, the assessment of options to establish and host a community of practice on EPR in the longer term and will include the setup of an EPR helpdesk to support countries in ESA, including stakeholders from government, the private sector and other stakeholders involved in the EPR system, e.g. informal workers, on specific questions related to EPR systems. The activities will draw on the experience of and link to existing international communities (e.g., the Global Action Partnership for EPR) and will leverage and involve existing international support mechanisms (e.g., the Global Action Partnership for EPR helpdesk). The GIZ Global Programme "Go Circular" holds the secretarial function of the multi-stakeholder-partnership PREVENT Waste Alliance on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ, UNEP, OECD, WWF, with support of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation have established the Global Action Partnership for Extended Producer Responsibility (GAP for EPR), that is hosted by the PREVENT Waste Alliance. The GAP for EPR is working on three pillars: Library: The GAP for EPR provides an extensive library of EPR-related documents, from case studies to explanatory videos and practical guides. Helpdesk: The EPR Helpdesk provides tailored technical support for EPR design and EPR scheme implementation to governments, producer responsibility organisations (PROs) and other relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector. Community: The GAP for EPR provides a space to connect with the global EPR community. With both a public and closed member section, sharing of best practices is fostered. The GAP for EPR strives to provide flexible support services to the requests of interested parties. To be able to respond to specific requests in a comprehensive and flexible way, an expert pool shall support GIZ. The contractor will form a pool of experts with a diverse set of skills in the field of EPR to respond to varying needs and requirements of stakeholders in ESA/LMIC on EPR.

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