The Circular Economy Coalition was officially launched on February 1, 2021 during the XXII Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. In this Forum, all the Governments of the Region adopted the Decision “Sustainable Consumption and Production and Circular Economy – Key Drivers for Post-COVID-19 Sustainable Recovery” that recognizes the establishment of the Circular Economy Coalition of Latin America and the Caribbean. All countries in the region are invited to join the Coalition and to designate their National Focal Points (NFP) and Alternate Focal Points.

Non-governmental organizations, research institutes, academia, intergovernmental organizations, regional and international organizations, development banks and UN agencies can become affiliated organizations and initiatives of the Coalition. They must meet the following criteria:

a) The entity has never violated the sanctions established by the UN Security Council;
b) The entity works against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery;
c) The entity has publicly available audited financial statements, which show sound financial management;
d) The entity respects the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and ensures that it is not complicit in human rights abuses;
e) The entity undertakes initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility and is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
f) The entity is committed to and has proven relevant experience in the circular economy

[1] The Coalition Coordinator may, at its own discretion and in consultation with the Steering Committee, exclude any Affiliated Organization and Initiative in the event of non-compliance with UN values ​​or exposure to reputational risk. In this case, the member will be informed of the Coalition’s decision, and their name will be removed from the Coalition’s website.

Benefits

• Access technical support and first-hand knowledge in key areas to support the transition to a circular economy in the region
• Be part of a wide network of actors to increase the visibility and reach of ongoing initiatives and find implementation partners for their scale-up
• Access information, resources, tools or materials specific to the regional context to support more targeted and tailored project implementation
• Contribute to ongoing circular economy discourse and policy frameworks that harness synergies at national and regional levels
• Access specialist support from network partners
  Participate in capacity development initiatives

Role of Affiliated Organizations and Initiatives

Affiliated organizations and initiatives

• provide technical, in-kind (expert services, venue, communication and outreach efforts, etc.) or financial support to the Coalition, and
• collaborate on joint activities, training, events, projects and/or other initiatives, at the regional or national level, to support the implementation of the
• Coalition’s work plan and
  actively participate in at least one sectoral working group

The private sector, referring to companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), business associations and chambers of commerce, among others, can become allies of the Coalition. They must meet the criteria listed above. In addition, they must also meet the following specific criteria:

Comply with the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the case of large companies or be aligned with these principles in the case of SMEs
Be committed to advancing the circular economy in your industry and value chain, through ongoing initiatives (or in the process of doing so) that pilot and implement a circular economy approach or integrate circularity into your business model (both for large companies as well as for SMEs)
Have public access information about their commitments and objectives to move towards a circular economy (for both large companies and SMEs)

Benefits

• Pioneering innovative projects and initiatives that put the circular economy into practice in the region
• Access to alliances and a wide range of stakeholders to share and replicate best practices and emerging solutions
• Increased visibility and reach of ongoing initiatives and finding partners for implementation
• Participation in public-private dialogues on framework conditions including or financing mechanisms for the circular economy
• Access to information, resources, tools or materials specific to the regional context to support better targeted and tailored project implementation
• Access to specialist support from network partners
  capacity development

Role of Private Sector Allies

• Contribute to and support Coalition projects or initiatives and actively participate in at least one of the
• Coalition’s thematic working groups
• Contribute in-kind (expert services, venue, communication and outreach efforts, etc.) and/or funding or co-funding
  Contribute own projects and initiatives aligned with the objectives and work plan of the Coalition

Countries, multilateral and bilateral cooperation agencies, development banks and financial institutions can become donors to the Coalition and support the implementation of the work plan through financial contributions and/or joint efforts to mobilize resources.

Benefits

• Accelerate the transition towards a Circular Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, and thus promote the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement
• Be part of a wide network of actors from governments, the private sector, institutions, NGOs, intergovernmental and international and regional organizations that work in circular economy
• Greater coordination and synergies, as well as greater impact and effectiveness of projects and programs
• Exchange of information, resources, tools or materials specific to the regional context to support more specific actions adapted to the regional context

Donor as Affiliated Organizations and Initiatives

Donors may choose to become involved in the same way as affiliated organizations and initiatives and

• provide technical, in-kind (expert services, venue, communication and outreach efforts, etc.) and financial support to the Coalition,
• collaborate on joint activities, training, events, projects and/or other initiatives, at the regional or national level, to support the implementation of the
• Coalition’s work plan
  actively participate in at least one sectoral working group