MANILA, Philippines (12 March 2025). The European Union in the Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently reinforced their collaboration for the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership through the 2nd Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting.
The meeting gathered key government agencies and technical partners to:
- Review progress in advancing circular economy practices, improving waste management systems, and scaling clean energy initiatives.
- Defining strategic directions and planned activities for 2025 and beyond.
- Strengthen collaboration to ensure cohesive, inclusive, and strategic implementation of the program.
“The steering committee is meeting the challenge of greening the economy through dialogue and monitoring progress. This will ensure the program is responsive, ambitious, and grounded in the realities of implementation across sectors and scales,” said DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga.
The Program Steering Committee (PSC), chaired by the DENR, is composed of representatives from the European Union (EU) and the Department of Finance (DOF) as co-chairs, with members from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - Philippines, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Energy Philippines, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture - Philippines (Official), Philippines Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), and the Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines.
European Union Delegation in the Philippines Head of Cooperation Dr. Marco Gemmer highlighted the significance of the EU-PH partnership in advancing the country’s green transition. “This quality partnership between the EU and the Philippines allows us to address challenges openly and work collaboratively to find solutions. This is a vital ingredient for the success of our joint programme.”
Funded by a €60 million grant from the European Union, EU-PH Green Economy Partnership is implemented by GIZ, UNDP Philippines, Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), and the IFC - International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group. GIZ is responsible for implementing Specific Objective 1: Policy and Alliances, co-funded by the European Union (€12 million) and German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (€1 million), with GIZ and DENR-EMB co-leading efforts to drive policy development and build strong partnerships.
Background Information
Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership will run from 2023–2028 in collaboration with the government of the Philippines, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This priority programme of the European Union in the Philippines links European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local governments to foster a circular economy and the reduction of plastic waste. It also aims to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy use and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Through technology transfers and investments, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth that benefits all Filipinos.
Implemented by Germany’s development agency GIZ, Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute, UNDP Philippines, and the International Finance Corporation – a member of the World Bank Group, the programme is part of EU’s Global Gateway initiative – the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy and the advancement of digital infrastructure, among others.