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ENVIRONMENT NEWS
from chemicals and waste. Governments and civil society networks, with the endorsement of their gov-
ernments, are eligible to apply for funding. The fund prioritizes medium-scale projects that strengthen
national and regional capacities, advance solutions along the value chain, and support policies and
regulations on chemicals and waste management.
Collaboration with key stakeholders, including ministries, industry sectors, and civil society, will be cru-
cial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of these efforts. The Global Framework outlines 28 specific
targets, including phasing out highly hazardous pesticides by 2035, preventing illegal trade of chemi-
cals, and increasing transparency around chemical risks. With an initial fund of $27 million, primarily
supported by Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK, the initiative also receives
backing from the International Council of Chemical Associations. A series of webinars will be held to
guide applicants through the fund’s priorities and application process.
Source: UNEP
10 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission: Progress and
Challenges
wachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, marks its 10th
anniversary on October 2, 2024. This ambitious campaign aimed to make India clean by building
Stoilets, managing waste, and encouraging people to change their habits around cleanliness. It
was divided into two parts: SBM-Gramin for rural areas and SBM-Urban for cities, run by the Ministry
of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The primary goal of SBM was to make India "Open Defe-
cation-Free" (ODF) by October 2, 2019, meaning no one
should be found defecating in the open at any time. To
achieve this, the government increased financial aid for
building toilets, from 10,000 under a previous scheme to
12,000 under SBM. The focus was not just on individual
household toilets but also on community and school toi-
lets, with proper waste management systems in place.
October 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 29
