Development of an Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy Roadmap for the Kyrgyz Republic (2025–2030), including the Conceptual Design of a Pilot Deposit-Return System

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), invites qualified and interested firms to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in an upcoming solicitation for the provision of technical assistance to develop an Integrated Waste Management and Circular Economy Roadmap for the Kyrgyz Republic (2025–2030), including the conceptual design of a pilot Deposit-Return System (DRS). UNEP, on behalf of CTCN, seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm to provide the technical assistance requested and endorsed by the National Designated Entity (NDE) of the Kyrgyz Republic. The objective of this assignment is to support the Kyrgyz Republic in advancing climate-aligned integrated waste management and circular economy transition by developing the technical, regulatory, institutional, and investment-preparation foundation for separate collection, Deposit-Return System (DRS) deployment, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) operationalization, priority waste stream management, and digital monitoring of climate benefits. The Kyrgyz Republic faces increasing climate risks and significant waste management challenges. More than 90 percent of municipal solid waste is disposed of in outdated landfills and uncontrolled dumpsites, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental contamination, and public health risks. This technical assistance will help establish a coherent national framework linking policy, technology, operations, capacity building, and investment preparation to support the transition to a circular, low-emission, and climate-resilient waste sector. The assignment will be implemented over a period of 18 months and will include waste-stream diagnostics, development of a national roadmap, regulatory and technical recommendations, DRS and EPR design, conceptual pilot packages, capacity building, digital monitoring and MRV architecture, and preparation of financing and scale-up strategies. Expected outputs include: 1. Project Management (mandatory output); 2. Inception, baseline, and waste system diagnostics; 3. Development of the national roadmap and enabling regulatory framework; 4. Preparation of a national DRS concept and conceptual pilot packages; 5. Delivery of capacity building, communication toolkit, and digital MRV architecture; and 6. Development of a scale-up roadmap, financing strategy, and follow-up investment package. Detailed requirements will be provided in the solicitation documents to be issued following the closure of this EOI. Specific Requirements/Information The purpose of this REOI is to identify suitable firms who may be invited for the Request for Proposal after the REOI is closed. In addition to CTCN registration, all applicants should also be registered (free of charge) at United Nations Global Marketplace (www.ungm.org). IMPORTANT: Please note that this REOI is not an invitation for submission of tenders. Its purpose is to identify companies that would be interested and eligible to participate in the solicitation when issued. UNON will examine the outcome of this request for EOI and will consider those companies that have expressed their interest . UNON reserves the right to change or cancel the requirement at any time during the EOI and/or solicitation process. Thus, submitting a reply to this Request for EOI does not automatically guarantee your company will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued.